Jon Roberts

29 Sep

GOD GAVE YOU BRAINS. USE THEM

By Rajmund Dabrowski — Imagine Mona Lisa. Have you looked at her half-smile and imagined what she was thinking and what it was all about? Perhaps no extravagant imagination is needed when hearing John Lennon’s “Imagine.” And what were Joan Osborne’s One Of Us lyrics saying to you?

I will tell you that her song turned my imagination into an endless spin. If God was one of us, as she sang, and visited church on Sabbath, would He be surprised to discover how different we are on Sunday–Friday, or even just a day later? Yes, the Sabbath is the Sabbath. Christianity is not a one-day affair, He would remind us.

But there is more.

Imagine what your neighbors know about you. There was and there continues to be an issue with seeing God as someone who looks at us in a limiting way. And we think He thinks like we do. Right? Wrong.

Oh, how often I think like Nicodemus did. He could not grasp what it means to be born again. Many of us are grappling with a limited approach to what it means to be a child of God, trusting Him in . . . everything.

I was chatting with a fellow believer about letting Jesus lead us as if we were blindfolded. I said, “Pray that He takes you where He wants, even if that messes up your plans.” He responded, “What if He takes you where you do not want to be, or if your religious practice would make you uncomfortable?” I said, “So be it. He either leads or I lead. He told His disciples, ‘Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am’” (Matt. 16:24 MSG).

Imagine the consequences. There was a moment in my past when I needed a push, but then, I could not imagine where I would land after being pushed. After a midterm test, our theology professor called each of the students to review the results. Mine offered me a simple but poignant comment: “Ray, try harder,” he said. I did know what I needed to improve at that moment to stay on course. But I did not know that this simple admonition would lead me to life-changing results.

Many things have happened over the decades of going beyond many frontiers. One such moment arrived soon after I “tried harder.” It was a concert in London where I would not be squeezed on the floor with hundreds of fans. Being in a crowd made me feel insecure. I went to one of the boxes overlooking the stage and asked if I could hang out in a corner. I ended up being among the concert organizers “backstage” but without a VIP pass and . . . looking from above. I met a dozen people with “names.” This led me to practicing the art of communication beyond textbooks. A realm of imagination is required to express what one discovers, learns, and practices when the new and worthwhile lessons come from such an encounter.

I tried harder. I used my brains.

The same goes for spiritual life, a changed life, when you don’t take everything for granted, when you stop taking shortcuts or cutting the corners, when there are no excuses masquerading as forgiveness, when you are not telling the Lord to follow you rather than trusting his leadership in your life. All you are and how you are starts with changes and is fulfilled by Jesus.

The same goes for my faith community. God told us what to do and promised that He would equip us with skills and talents. He gave us brains. My professor was right. He did not make me guilty for not using my gift of learning (or studying diligently). He just told me to make use of it.

When our religious life becomes a routine of “doing” things, He patiently waits for us to make a change. That’s my dream for my church. As He says: “I am after love that lasts, not more religion. I want you to know God, not go to more prayer meetings” (Hosea 6:6 MSG).

–Rajmund Dabrowski is RMC communication director and editor of “Mountain Views.”. Email him at: [email protected]

23 Sep

VIETNAM VETERANS HONORED IN FARMINGTON, NEW MEXICO AT THE WALL THAT HEALS

RMCNews with Dick Stenbakken – Farmington, New Mexico … The 150-member Piñon Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church in Farmington, New Mexico was front and center in the local community and surrounding area, September 7 – 11. They were initiators and sponsors of The Wall that Heals, a three-quarter-sized traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Lillian Clopine, church member, got the idea several years ago that sponsoring The Wall That Heals would be a positive way for Adventists to be involved in their community. She, and her husband, Bill, along with members of the Piñon Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church, applied to host The Wall That Heals as it traveled across the country. They were elated when the application was approved. The Wall did not travel in 2020, and few new applications were approved for 2021. In November 2020, they received word that they would be one of 37 communities across the United States where The Wall would be displayed in 2021.

The Clopines and the Piñon Hills church enlisted support from a wide range of local individuals and organizations. Jennifer Halphen, a church member and vice-chair of the Host Committee, was deeply involved from the very beginning and led site logistics. Soon, Gary Smouse, owner of the local Chick-fil-A, joined as the second Host Committee vice-chair. His meticulous planning helped bring in an additional Host Sponsor, the Blue Star Mothers of America New Mexico Chapter One. Many community members and local businesses came forward to provide financial and other support.

“This event was both rewarding and humbling at the same time,” said Lillian Clopine. For her, as the chief organizer,“this event has clearly brought attention and increased visibility to the Piñon Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church.”

As community members, the church, and citizens, they wished to honor the veterans. They also desired “to sponsor an event that would serve the Four Corners in a meaningful way. I believe the Holy Spirit has guided us through this process, and these goals have been achieved,” Clopine added.

The Wall arrived in Durango, Colorado on the afternoon of September 7. An honor guard escort of more than 70 motorcycles assembled to accompany the Wall from Durango to Farmington. Vietnam veterans led the procession, followed by the 53-foot semi, which transportsThe Wall. The rest of the honor guard of motorcycles and vintage vehicles with flying flags, followed. Colorado State Patrol escorted the procession to the border where the New Mexico State Patrol took over the rest of the way to the San Juan College athletic fields in Farmington, where volunteers would assemble the Wall on the following day.

Dr. Dick Stenbakken, Chaplain (Colonel) U. S. Army, Retired, former Director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries at the General Conference, and a Vietnam veteran, spoke at the volunteer breakfast held at the Piñon Hills Adventist church on the day of The Wall’s arrival and was also the keynote speaker at the honors ceremony the evening of Thursday, September 9. The breakfast honored the many volunteers who were on site to assist those visiting The Wall for the duration of the event. The San Juan County sheriff’s office provided a 21-gun salute that echoed back from the large Wall following a bagpipe playing taps.

The Thursday evening Honors Ceremony hosted more than 850 people, including presentations by Rear Admiral Bruce Black, State Senator William Sharer, and Chaplain Stenbakken. The opening event closed with a spectacular, low-level helicopter fly-over from Kirtland Airforce Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They had received final approval from the FAA only 24 hours before their scheduled fly-over.

Saturday morning, a special Blessing Ceremony was provided by Navajo Nation representatives with more than 500 attending. The Navajo ceremony included the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance in Navajo, Native American drummers, and a keynote speech by Myron Lizer, Vice President of the Navajo Nation.

Volunteers were at The Wall, even overnight, to help people locate specific names from the more than 58,200 names engraved on the Wall.

For Chaplain Stenbakken, the invitation to participate in the event brought memories from the past. “Being at The Wall was very personal for me,” said Stenbakken. “The name of a young man I met two days into my first pastoral assignment is there – panel 5-E, line 5. We corresponded regularly until he was killed in action. His face, his name, and his memory have never left me. I saw him off at the local airport, and I saw his flag-draped coffin return home to the same airport. When asked about representing the Seventh-day Adventist Church as an Army chaplain, his memory played a large part in my saying yes to that call and career.”

The semi-truck that transports The Wall opens to become a Mobile Education Center, which displays the history of the Vietnam war and the story of The Wall itself. This Mobile Education Center is a traveling museum with artifacts from the war, items left at The Wall in Washington D.C., and digital displays honoring local Hometown Heroes.

This event was a unique way for the local Seventh-day Adventist church to lead a major community event for the entire Four-Corners region and is a testimony to what can be done with prayer, planning, and hard work. “Several Host Committee members expressed the conviction that they could see God’s hand throughout the process of preparing for this event and its success,” Clopine remarked.

It is estimated that more than 3,000 individuals visited the Wall while it was in Farmington. Local schools were also involved, and nearly 800 students visited and learned about this important part of American history.

Many Vietnam veterans who attended the programs expressed appreciation for being recognized for their service and this remembrance of people they knew whose names are engraved on the black stone of The Wall That Heals. The Wall also serves as a powerful reminder of Christ, who brings ultimate healing.

–RMCNews with Dick Stenbakken Chaplain (Colonel) U. S. Army, Retired, former Director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries at the General Conference, and a Vietnam veteran, photos supplied

23 Sep

CONNECTIONS REKINDLED AS CAMPION ALUMNI RETURN TO CAMPUS

By Love Pickle – Loveland, Colorado … Reminiscing about days gone by, 450 alumni returned to Campion Academy, September 18, where they spent the formative years of their youth, in order to reconnect with friends and classmates.

Alumni walked through their old hallways and witnessed the changes to the campus that have taken place over the years. Reflecting on the changes, especially the new pavement made in the past 70 years, Arlene Reeder-Russell, class of ’51, was filled with joy, “I am just thrilled with the changes. Everything that they have done has been marvelous. I like everything about alumni weekend, and I come almost every year.”

The Reeder Golf Classic began the weekend of activities, fellowship, and reconnections. After the competition, alumni and students gathered to enjoy a time of socializing in the cafeteria while enjoying a meal prepared by the chefs of Campion Academy. The evening concluded with a vespers program featuring the Voice of Prophecy’s Discovery Mountain actors and an afterglow around the fire pit to sing praise songs and enjoy s’mores.

“It’s been ten years, but it feels like two. So much has happened in our lives, and it’s weird being back,” Jessica Montoya, class of ’11, commented.

The next morning Sabbath School featured a panel of staff alumni sharing their Campion experiences. Inductions to the Hall of Faith presented during the morning included Kathy class of ’72, Kevin Binder class of ‘73, and Kenneth Gregerson class of ‘71, who were recognized for their long-term dedication to the academy. The alumni of the year award was dedicated to H.M.S. Richards class of 1914.

The music department serenaded the attendees with student arrangements in handbells, orchestra, choir, and the select choir, Koinonia.

“It is just exciting. I was excited to come back and see all the staff and some friends who are still here. It is nice to see the fountain and that the picnic tables are back. It is nice knowing that the current students can have a better year,” said a fresh alumni, Nelly Salinas class of ’21.

Concluding the weekend was the highly competitive volleyball and soccer games pitting alumni against students, in which alumni dominated both matches.

–Love Pickle Campion senior; photos supplied

22 Sep

COMMUNITY AND FELLOWSHIP ALIVE AT LITTLETON VESPERS

By Littleton Adventist News– Littleton, Colorado … To build community and a family atmosphere, Littleton Adventist church recently launched a new innovative program–monthly Friday vespers hosted in members’ homes.

The gatherings, called Alive, provide opportunities for different age groups–middle school, high school, young adults, and adults–a chance to enjoy a fellowship meal and worship time. The two-hour informal gatherings begin with socializing, a chance to unwind from the week, and to work together as a team preparing the meal. After fellowshipping around the table, participants transition into a worship time planned by the host family.

Reflecting on the concept, Andy Nash, lead pastor at Littleton, explains that families are at the center. “We had seen home vespers programs done elsewhere, so we adapted the concept to our own setting. Initially, we planned to just offer the program for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and young adults at Littleton, with families included as well. But then the church board said, ‘Hey, why don’t we offer this for all ages, including adults?’”

He adds, “The heart of Alive home vespers is families. We want all generations in fellowship together. We invite parents to attend with their middle schoolers and high schoolers. The informal fellowship in homes is very special—parents mingle in the kitchen, preparing supper while the kids run around. Then everyone comes together for the meal and vespers program. Then more mingling into the night.”

The first Alive vespers included 140 attendees. The young adult program was also attended by members from other front-range churches who had heard about the gathering and wanted to enjoy fellowshipping with other believers.

“It was good to be with friends that I knew and I even met some new friends. It was great to connect and worship together. It’s my dream that all of my friends are together, happy, laughing, sharing life with each other, holding and supporting each other, and loving and discovering more about Jesus. And that’s what this was like,” Mikey Archibeque, associate pastor of Denver South Adventist church said.

The community atmosphere is what many will remember about the evening they experienced.

“I like the community. Just to be able to sit next to each other and praise God, sing songs together. That’s what I am taking home.” Flor Osorio, Littleton church member, said.

Tobias Rebant, who recently moved to Colorado and is a Littleton church attendee, echoed Flor’s comments. “I’ve been part of many churches in my life, and the family atmosphere I experienced here is amazing. This is community.”

Community involvement is more than just one church gathering together explains Archibeque. “It’s really important that our churches are all working together and sharing all of our strengths with each other. Sharing people, resources, and most importantly, being with each other and for each other. At this event I could feel the togetherness and unity of coming together as Denver South and Littleton and being a family, a Body, together worshipping, praying, and loving each other. God means us to be One, one church, one family, united in Christ. That’s what these events are all about because we are better together.”

Nash would like to encourage other pastors and leaders in RMC to provide space for fellowship and community to happen. “Our best advice as pastors is to empower the members and families to take the lead. We, as pastors, helped set things up, but then we turned it over to members to lead out. The families host the gathering, rotating to different homes each month. They also plan the potluck supper and the programming. We are there to assist and speak if asked, but we prefer to see members and youth leading out. For our first Friday evening vespers, I rushed around to three gatherings—and I ate at every one!”

–Littleton Adventist News; photos by Andy Nash and Jon Roberts.

22 Sep

MAINTAINING WORSHIP PROGRAMMING DURING A PANDEMIC

By Angela Baerg – Collegedale, Tennessee … How do you plan a vespers program meant for fellowshipping, making new friends, and studying the Bible in an era where everyone is encouraged to hide behind masks, avoid hugs and handshakes, and stay six feet away from each other? That was the question for vespers coordinator Natalie (Boonstra) Lilly, a senior public relations major from Loveland, Colorado when she assumed the role at Southern Adventist University, last fall.

Lilly had to think outside the normal concepts of worship and become a very different vespers coordinator than Southern had ever seen before. In addition to organizing speakers, musicians, and tech support, Lilly and her team worked hard to keep the students safe, implementing rigorous cleaning routines and other safety protocols.

“We were working hard to foster a worshipful atmosphere in spite of it all,” says Lilly. “In a time of chaos, I wanted people to have something that felt familiar.”

To keep students safe and reduce exposure to the pandemic, Southern moved vespers to an outdoor tent erected on the lawn of the Collegedale church with enough space for students to socially distance but not be confined to an indoor space.

Lilly knew how important it was to give people a chance to plug in and be part of the campus community even during the strange times the world was experiencing. A Colorado native and Loveland church member, she didn’t know many people when she arrived on campus in 2016. She recalled her experience that year connecting with others by joining LifeGroups, those student-led groups designed for fellowship, study, and opportunity for students to connect with each other and with God in a small group setting.

“During my first year at Southern, it really helped me to meet people and make connections,” says Lilly. “I loved being part of a group of girls who read a book and prayed together. My favorite part was when we would write a note of affirmation for the person sitting next to us.”

In May 2021, Natalie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and became a communication intern at the Pennsylvania Conference.

“I feel well-prepared and excited for my new job and responsibilities,” she says. “This year was a challenge, but it was also full of growth. I’m so happy that my vespers team was able to give our students a way to worship together while still keeping them safe and helping our school stay open.”

–Angela Baerg is a Southern Adventist University alumna with a history major, currently working as a preschool teacher in Chattanooga, Tennessee; photo supplied

22 Sep

NEW PRINCIPAL, ANDREW CARPENTER, AIMS AT JOINT COLLABORATION BETWEEN MHA AND RMC SCHOOLS

RMCNews – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … “We’re all working together; we all have a common goal,” Andrew Carpenter, the new principal at Mile High Academy, remarked on the collaboration he would like to accomplish among Mile High Academy, front-range churches, Campion Academy, and other schools in RMC.

Born and raised in Tennessee and graduated from Madison Academy outside of Nashville, Tennessee, he is aware of the benefits of Adventist education. Carpenter is married with a two-year-old daughter, which occupies his time when he is not at MHA. After graduating from Southern Adventist University, he began his career as chaplain at San Gabriel Academy in Southern California before being offered the position of vice-principal, where he served under the leadership of Paul Negrete the past few years before accepting the call to be the principal at MHA.

Carpenter, by joining MHA, opens the academy’s new chapter of leadership. He would like to continue to build on the innovative programs and introduce systems that would help support what the school has accomplished while continuing to move forward with best practices. “One of the big innovations is real-world learning, sometimes called project-based learning, which is a great tool for education, teaching kids relevant and authentic experiences,” Carpenter comments, adding “and getting [the students] involved in how the skills and content they’re learning in the classroom interact in the world they are living in.”

Collaboration between area churches and MHA is encouraging to Carpenter. “We have great pastoral support, not from just our constituent churches, but also from pastors outside of our constituency who have been very supportive of the school and working to help us see how we can partner together because it’s a blessing for their ministry as well as ours to be able to minister to the families of kids.”

He adds, “I think the more we invite everybody to be a part of what’s happening in our ministries, as we partner together, the stronger our ministry becomes. I think we need to talk about how we can continue to partner together. How can we sync our calendars, our programming to benefit each other and not just for the sake of benefit, but so we can be more effective in what we’re trying to accomplish here in the Denver Metro area?”

Carpenter’s mission for MHA goes beyond preparing the students for academic success but includes equipping them to advance God’s Kingdom. “The mission is helping to prepare our young people to be active participants in Christianity and to be part of the great commission within the Adventist context, helping to train and prepare them by partnering with our churches. We are developing a program based on brain and science research, our biblical worldview combined with our historical understanding of where Adventist education came from and the counsels of Ellen White.”

The core mission, according to Carpenter, comes down to character development for the students. He takes this value directly from the book Education by Ellen White, who encourages teaching the students about the joy of service in this life and for eternity. “That’s going to be a huge component of what we do because that’s the mission of our church. The other component is, as our new [Conference] president, Mic Thurber, begins that we look at his mission and vision for Rocky Mountain Conference and see how Mile High can help collaborate with that vision. We are all working together, and we all have a common goal. We’re looking at how we can help to support our churches and our conference with our young people completing that mission.”

Carpenter is anxious to build a strong relationship between Campion and Mile High Academy. “I call Don Reeder frequently and ask him how Campion is doing. I would love to collaborate with them on outdoor activities and mission projects. I know we play sports together, which is great. There’s a healthy relationship there, but I would love for our students to spend time together. I would like to see prayer conferences with our academies. I think bringing our academies together would help us realize that we are working toward the same goals and mission.”

He adds that the question he bases his leadership on is, “If Mile High can improve in one area, how do we help the school in Farmington improve, and how does the school in Farmington help Mile High improve? When we’re talking about the mission and vision for education, specifically in the Rocky Mountain Conference, how do we begin to affect more than just ourselves with what we’re doing?”

“We need to be collaborating not just with Campion, but also with Brighton, Vista Ridge, our school in Casper, and others. I’m impressed with our teachers in Wyoming. They’re amazing educators. They have some tough challenges out there by themselves, but they’re working together.” That’s a tremendous example of collaboration, according to Carpenter. He adds that when we are focused just on ourselves, we will miss the mark, but if we continue to collaborate together, Rocky Mountain Conference education will be great.

According to Carpenter, the call to MHA was about doing more than doing a job only at Mile High but also changing the wider community. “We want to do something greater than [with] just ourselves at Mile High Academy and affect the whole conference, union, and division.” This mindset set forth by Diane Harris, RMC education director, made Carpenter want to join Rocky Mountain Conference as principal at Mile High Academy.

–RMCNews; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

21 Sep

COMMENTARY: Don’t Save the Best for Last

By Doug Inglish — You’ve all heard the phrase “save the best for last.” I suspect it has its roots in describing a meal, in which desert typically comes at the end, but whatever situation brought it into usage, it has since acquired other applications.

A competing phrase, also in general use, encourages us to “put your best foot forward.” I have no idea where that may have originated, but the idea is also widely understood.

Used car dealers put their best models out front, with the high mileage cars on the back row. Realtors post pictures of the recently remodeled kitchen and hope buyers don’t notice the proximity to the railroad tracks. There is even a biblical example of this when the ruler of the feast where Jesus turned water into wine noted how most people serve the best at the beginning and save the cheap stuff for later (see John 2).

Isaiah has an interesting illustration about a man who uses the wood from a tree that he chops down:

Half of the wood he burns in the fire;
over it, he prepares his meal,
he roasts his meat, and eats his fill.
He also warms himself and says,
“Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”
From the rest, he makes a god, his idol;
he bows down to it and worships.
He prays to it and says,
“Save me! You are my god!”
— Isaiah 44:16-17, NIV

The purpose of the illustration is to show the absurdity of idolatry. How can half of the tree be fuel and the other half a deity? Point taken, but that’s not the point I want to make here. Instead, I wish to draw your attention to the order in which the wood is used: the first part is for himself, and the last part is for his god.

I would like to suggest that this order for the use of resources is pagan. If I make sure that I get my needs met before I consider how much I can spare from the leftovers for my God, I’m not rising too far above the idolater in the illustration, even if I am not bowing down to chunks of wood. Maybe I’m not actively engaged in the worship of a false god, but I can’t make the argument that taking a Me First attitude about my resources is illustrative of true worship.

True worship doesn’t save the best (God) for last. God asks for the first fruits (Proverbs 3:9-10), not the leftovers. The only way to honor that request is to put our best foot forward, giving Him what He claims from the beginnings of our resources and doing so with a heart full of gratitude and respect.

If we put things in that order, what’s left for us will be no problem (see Leviticus 26).

–Doug Inglish, RMC vice president of administration and stewardship director; photo by iStock

20 Sep

INVESTMENT OF TWO MASTER GUIDES AT PATHFINDER LEADERSHIP WEEKEND

RMCNews with Sue Nelson – Ward, Colorado … Leaders young and old descended on Glacier View Ranch to study, fellowship, and celebrate together at the annual Pathfinder and Adventurer leadership training.

The gathering, held September 10–12, hosted 140 leaders from 50 clubs throughout Rocky Mountain Conference. The fellowship between leaders was greatly anticipated as well as appreciated. The first in-person leadership training in two years.

Addressing the crowd on Sabbath, Ron Whitehead, director of the Center for Youth Ministry, explained that the Rocky Mountain Conference will have the honor of hosting 60 thousand Pathfinders in three years at the 2024 International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming. “Rocky Mountain Conference will be the host to the world,” Whitehead said.

“Our conference will have the unique opportunity to host overseas clubs who will be flying in from many other countries but will not be able to bring tents or food with them. We can invite these clubs to camp and eat with us, thus forming lasting friendships and international experiences. We are all very excited and cannot wait for 2024,” expressed Sue Nelson, RMC Pathfinder co-coordinator.

On Sabbath, an investment ceremony of two new Master Guides from the Golden, Colorado Falcons Adventurer Club was held. The club ministries website of the North American Division defines a master guide as “a responsibility more than status. The Master Guide continues to be the highest level of Invested leadership within the Adventurer/ Pathfinder programs of the church. It focuses on one’s personal spiritual life and growth, first and foremost.” The ceremony was led by Chris Hill, former RMC Adventurer and Pathfinder executive.

One attendee, commenting on the investment ceremony, said it was a privilege to celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of the two individuals invested.

Attendees had the opportunity to attend a question-and-answer forum that allowed newer staff to interact with those more experienced and raise questions about local club issues. Those studying to become Master Guides attended classes to help them with requirements. Other classes were held on the stars, origami, and a new honor piloted in RMC researching pikas, little rodent-type animals that live exclusively in high mountain altitudes. A new director’s course also covered the basics of starting up a new club.

Reflecting on the honor classes, Kathy Dorn-Walker, RMC Pathfinder trainer, commented, “We studied ways of teaching Pathfinders the stars honor and learned how to tell Bible stories with different constellations. The Glory of God in the heavens!”

Adventurer award classes during the weekend outing included safety, horsemanship, and healthy foods. The Pathfinder honors taught were outreach, backpacking, and knots. Classes were also offered in Spanish, and the Adventurer award in Spanish included friend of Jesus, health, and missionaries.

— RMCNews with Sue Nelson, RMC Pathfinder co-coordinator; photos supplied

A Pika

20 Sep

Reflection: Sometimes It Takes a Mountain

By Michelle Velbis — Have you ever had a song make you gasp because the lyrics just seemed to be speaking right to you? Recently, I heard the song “Sometimes It Takes a Mountain” by the Gaither Vocal Band. The chorus says, “Your love is so much stronger than whatever troubles me. Sometimes it takes a mountain to trust you and believe.”

Do I need mountains in my life to be closer to Him? Do I believe God through the mountains of trials? Honestly, I feel like I have figuratively climbed Mt. Everest more than once. When someone recently asked me how my faith was being affected by the seemingly constant challenges, it gave me pause. What would my transparent answer be?

When I was younger, I asked God a lot of whys. I still do, and I believe He isn’t fazed by those questions, but now I find that I am asking myself, “What can I learn?”

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10, NLT.

One thing I think God continues to help me see is that I am not patient. As a teacher, I preach on a growth mindset, and yet I find myself struggling to grow in this area. From a father’s love, I think He patiently shows me that He wants me to live in the present and stop living at break-neck speed. As a doer, this is really difficult, but I am slowly learning that if I live life too fast, I miss so much of Him and the ways He wants to speak to me. I don’t know about you, but I have to climb the mountains in Colorado’s thin air very slowly. So maybe the mountains are to help me slow down.

“For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9, NLT.

When I don’t get the answers that I want, do I still trust him? Well, I know that I usually throw an inward hissy fit first and try to use my persuasive skills on God about why my way is better. When I stop yelling and sit still (there is that being still part again), He calmly reassures me that His ways are better for me, even if it is uncomfortable. Creator of the Universe and Heavenly Father – his curriculum vitae alone should be enough to quiet my fears.

“I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Isaiah 46:4, NLT.

Another component to spiritual mountain climbing is to use a Sherpa. It’s a lot easier if you use one. Did you know that Sherpas can sometimes carry double their weight? Of course, our Creator can carry much more than that. And even when I mentally know that why is it so hard to let him carry my loads? In my case, it is often just pure stubbornness. I have this insane need to do things myself. Some psychoanalysis might reveal that I just don’t trust anyone else to do what needs to be done. Naturally, this is cause for exhaustion and burnout. This leads me back to being still and trusting Him. Lord, thank you for being patient with your headstrong child.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18, NLT.

When I am struggling for every breath and my muscles are burning, the last thing I want to do while climbing a mountain is to thank the person who suggested the tortuous activity, that is until I get to the top. When I see the stunning and jaw-dropping views, I look at my friend and say, “Thank you.” I look back at the trail I just came up and know that, although it wasn’t easy, I am a much stronger and better person for the experience.

I think it is like my experience with God, and maybe I can even get to the point like Paul, where I praise Him during the trials. Because I know, without a doubt, the view from the top will be worth it.

–Michelle Velbis is principal at Springs Adventist Academy; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

20 Sep

FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE AT HISPANIC CAMP MEETING 2021

RMCNews with Frank Wilson – Ward, Colorado … Hispanic members of RMC gathered in three locations for camp meetings in September after not having been able to meet in person for fellowship and Bible study last year.

Faith, hope, and love in an uncertain world was the theme at the meetings featuring Alfonso Valenzuela, senior pastor at the Campus Hill Church in Loma Linda, California. The gatherings were attended by 500 members in three different locations–Glacier View Ranch, Durango, and Grand Junction. Instead of hosting one group, the events were divided this year to add an extra layer of protection against the pandemic.

“We want to say, ‘Thank you, God,’ because it was a great success. More than five hundred members attended the meetings. Most of the Hispanic brothers and sisters were able to experience and attend camp meeting one more time,” Frank Wilson, Boulder Hispanic, Aurora Hispanic, Brighton Hispanic, and Carbon Valley pastor, said.

Wilson added, “We are ever thankful to our heavenly Father who granted us the opportunity, protection, and the blessing to participate in such a wonderful event.”

— RMCNews with Frank Wilson pastor of Boulder Hispanic, Aurora Hispanic, Brighton Hispanic, and Carbon Valley; photo supplied

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