Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

10 Jan

KNOWING THE TRUTH IS NICE, BUT NOT ENOUGH

By Dick Stenbakken — Picture two terrorists speeding across the bleak, dusty landscape trailing a vortex of dust. Suddenly they see a strange aircraft pop up over the horizon. The alert driver sees it first and asks his companion, “What is that strange-looking thing?”

His companion squints through the dusty windshield, concentrating on the small spot just above the horizon. “Oh, that is the A-10 Thunderbolt, sometimes called the Warthog,” he replies. “Warthog? That is a most strange name. So, what do you know about it?” the curious driver asks. “Oh, I know very much about it,” the passenger replies excitedly. “Tell me more,” the driver pleads.

“Well, the plane is built around a massive 30 mm seven-barrel cannon that can fire between 2,100 and 4,200 rounds per minute. It can carry 16,000 pounds of bombs, including anti-armor missiles, cluster bombs, and sidewinder missiles. The pilot is protected by titanium wrap-around armor and the plane can fly even though badly damaged.”

“True? That is really true?” asks the awestruck driver. “Yes, verifiably and actually true, but there is even more,” the passenger replies.

Suddenly the plane seems to be way closer and closing fast on the vehicle and its occupants.

“What are those smoke streaks headed toward us from the plane?” inquires the driver. “Oh. Those are two missiles he has fired.”

“Awesome! Quips the driver. I am glad you know so much about that plane. You have taught me much my friend! I am now enlightened, better informed, and….” The sentence is never finished as the vehicle and terrorists are erased in a blinding flash.

The passenger knew the truth, right down to many details. He was accurate, articulate, and knowledgeable. He was even excited to share the truth about the airplane to an inquisitive friend. However, even though he was dead-on accurate, the truth was only informative. It did not promote any prompt changes, nor did it provide safety.

Unless truth prompts changes, it is merely esoteric information and cerebral data displaying the understanding of the person sharing truth in all of its details. Truth does not function in a vacuum. It must lead to practical application leading to meaningful action. Truth is more than esoteric understanding, as good as that may be. Without application to life and life’s varying challenges, truth can be like a beautiful Christmas tree decoration that is pretty, or even fascinating but has no impact on changing my life.

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…. (John 14:6).” When He said that, the ears of the Jewish listeners began to tingle, because the phrase “I AM,” was the formal name of YHWH, the Supreme God of the universe. Jesus identified Himself as both the ultimate Truth, and as God incarnate. They got it. It was as obvious as a Warthog bearing down on you out of the blue.

Even Jesus’ statement of ultimate truth was in vain unless it led to belief, acceptance, and action. It is no different for us today.

It is too easy to mouth the phrase, “We have the truth!” The immediate (often inner) response is, “So what?” Has that truth made a change in my life, my thinking, my actions? Perhaps a more thoughtful, and humbly prayerful statement might be, “The truth has me.” The latter statement is pregnant with potentially life-changing actions and relationships. Truth applied is what changes people, deepens relationships, builds trust, and works the works of God. Truth applied puts sandals on cerebral assent.

So how do we know “truth” amid the clamor of vying voices saying they alone are true?

Go back to the statement of Jesus in John 14:6. Link it with how He stated, “I AM….” He laid the foundation of the rest of His statement on His relationship with His Father. That ongoing relationship was key to His work and to His being. He said, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves (John14:11). “I and the Father are one. (John 10:30). He said again, “…I am in the Father and…the Father is in me (John 14:10). For Jesus, truth is embedded in an ongoing relationship with the Father; it is not some sterile, stand-alone metaphysical proof-text proposition or formula.

The greatest agony Jesus suffered was not from the Roman whip or nails. It was the rasping, gasping cry out of the darkness He could not see beyond when he cried out, “My God! My God! Why have You forsaken Me!” (Matthew 27:46). His emotions told him (as did Satan) that the relationship with the Father was eternally severed. But truth is not based on emotions. Truth is built on a knowing that responds beyond the most crushing emotions. As He was dying, Jesus clung to the truth that his Father had not forsaken him, even in the darkest despair. That is why Jesus could close His life with the trusting words, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46). That’s truth applied under the most excruciating circumstances.

Jesus knew and demonstrated that truth is not merely subjective. It is based on eternal objectivity that does not change. There is no such thing as, “Well that may be your truth, but it isn’t my truth.” Something is either incontrovertibly and forever true, or it is not.

Would you trust a builder who used a rubber ruler to construct your house? You know, the kind of ruler fishermen sometimes use, where the fish gets larger with every telling. If the builder purchased his lumber by stretching the ruler (to save himself money) when purchasing, then contracted the ruler when building your home, you would have an irreparable mess. As for me and my house, I want a solid steel, unchanging, precise ruler, and an honest builder. Nothing less.

So, how does one know truth from untruth? Jesus set the stage by his relationship with the Father. He knew that God was and is Creator, Sustainer, Protector, Guide, All-Knowing, All-Powerful, Ever Present, Just Judge, Compassionate Listener, and much, much more. Knowing those aspects of God’s character in an ongoing, real relationship allowed Jesus to be Who he was/is as demonstrated in how he lived and what he did. The same will be true of those who build a living, vibrant, ongoing relationship with the Person of God, not just knowing details about Him. Jesus said to some who claim to have done great things in his name, “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evil doers!’”

Reflect on those last devastating words: “I never knew you,” and the corollary painful truth, “You never knew Me.” The Greek word for “know” (ginosko) describes an intimate knowledge and relationship way beyond a mere cerebral recognition. To truly know God, and His Son Jesus, is to have a living, ongoing, thriving, life changing relationship with Him. That relationship is the objective yardstick to determine what is, and is not, true. That relational aspect will change everything in life, death, and eternity.

In some ways, the old saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know,” adds clarity. To know Jesus, and the Father, to have a living relationship with them, changes my life’s direction. That relationship with both is what defines life.

And that’s the truth.

–Dick Stenbakken, Ed.D., retired Army Chaplain (Col.), served as director of Adventist Chaplaincy Services at the General Conference and North American Division. With his wife Ardis, he lives in Loveland, Colorado. Email him at: [email protected]

10 Jan

THERE WAS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR

By Rajmund Dabrowski — My vivid memory about my grandmother Janina is her frequently repeated story about “accepting the truth” using a variation of expressions, including “learning the truth,” “knowing the truth,” “believing the truth,” “living the truth,” or “joining the true church.” She meant to express her discovery that seriously embracing Christianity (and the Adventist faith) made a difference in her life. It was more than knowing it. It was living out the truth she discovered and embraced. I recall her telling a conversion story and how she joined a new church.

One day, she came back from her church full of tears. There was no news from the hospital. She would have to check the next day to see if her husband, Jan, had survived surgery. Would her prayers bring healing to their home? But what was the meaning of the voice she heard? After all, she was praying to St. Anthony. He was a patron saint who was often invoked in prayers for restoring health, requesting help for those in distress or sorrow.

The voice she heard had asked, “Why are you praying to a clay figurine? Pray to Jesus. He lives and heals.”

She was stunned and returned home in tears. What was the meaning of the message? “I wanted my husband to be well. I wanted him home and at work as I could not imagine being left alone with four young children,” she explained. There was a knock on her door. The gentleman outside introduced himself and invited her to join a Bible study at a local Adventist church. But there was more.

Why are you crying, he asked?

Her story unfolded about her husband being in the hospital. Would he survive a generally incurable disease? If only he had listened to his doctors. Her faith prompted her to plead for a miracle from St. Anthony who was to intervene. The visitor assured her that Jesus changes all. They prayed together.

My grandfather lived not only through the WWII years but several years past his hospital surgery. And he left me with a memory of him as he carried me in his arms. This was my grandmother’s first encounter with truth as presented in the Word, but also her first encounter with Jesus.

Grandma Janina was a staunch believer. She often described her faith as a walking-with-Jesus experience. It was an experience of sharing him with others. As I listened to her prayers, I noted that she has things to say to Jesus. She told Him to return as He promised in her lifetime. And as she was in her final days, she told me that she learned that it wasn’t what she wanted Him to do, but that He has a better plan to fulfill. Knowing the truth means learning to hang out in the places daily where our Lord has promised to meet us. We will then gain clarity of what He meant when He said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!” (John 8:32). In the words of Prince Tripp, “Without clarity [about] what Jesus means by ‘the truth,’ we will never know true freedom. Through a daily connection with his Word, we will not only gain knowledge but will encounter the living Truth to which it faithfully points.”

Such was my grandmother’s experience with our church. And she was ready for the return of her Lord

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

06 Jan

COMMENTARY: “GRANDPA, THERE’S A TORNADO OF SMOKE IN THE BACKYARD.”

By Dr. Mark Johnson … My wife and I were in the mountains, driving back from visiting my aging father. Our 6-year-old granddaughter, who currently lives with us, had called to share her concerns. My daughter soon got on the line and informed us that it appeared that there was a house on fire in the adjoining neighborhood, and the smoke was so bad that she was leaving the house with her two daughters.

At this point, the conversation was interesting but not too worrisome. Perhaps there was a house fire in the neighborhood, but the fire department should soon have it under control.

The next call shook us to the very core. “I’m on the highway, and all I can see is flames on both sides of the road! The smoke is so black and thick that I can’t see anything else! I don’t know what to do! I’m afraid we might be hit by another car! Wait, I’ve got to go!” The line went dead.

By now, you can surmise that my daughter and granddaughters were caught in the middle of the worst wildfire in suburban Colorado history. Fortunately, the reason she had hung up was because she saw a Highway Patrol car flashing its lights and going down the wrong side of the highway. She did a rapid U-turn and followed it out of the conflagration.

Our story is just one of thousands that occurred on December 29, 2021. Many of the stories are nothing but miraculous. The fire, driven by hurricane-force winds, moved so fast and at times in such a random fashion that many had only minutes to grab a few precious items and flee their homes. Almost a thousand of those homes were destroyed. So were many businesses.

The physical damage from the fire is obvious. Whole neighborhoods have disappeared, and thousands have been displaced. But the social and mental health costs of such devastating events is harder to observe and measure, and on the surface, can appear contradictory.

Research on the after-effects of disasters shows some interesting and, at times alarming, trends. After natural disasters, marriage rates go up slightly, but so do divorce rates. However, after man-made disasters, the divorce rate tends to drop! It is thought that the responses differ between disasters that have a relatively small loss of life but a great deal of physical damage and those that have a relatively small amount of physical damage but a larger loss of life. If that is true, we can expect to see both the marriage rate and the divorce rate rise after the Marshall Fire.

Suicides may also increase after disasters with an increased rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, data shows increases in suicide after earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes, but not after tornadoes or severe storms. Suicide rates are high among firefighters, though, and may also increase among first responders and health care workers after a disaster.

In summation, it is difficult to predict what the behavioral health effects will be on any group or individual after a disaster such as the Marshall Fire. We should, however, be aware of the tremendous stress that occurs and be ready to assist friends, family members, coworkers, and acquaintances who have recently undergone such a traumatic event. And while none of us who are not behavioral health experts should in any way attempt to treat those experiencing symptoms, experts say that it is healthy, in a safe and compassionate atmosphere, for them to talk about the traumatic experience through which they have lived.

–Dr. Mark Johnson is a member of Boulder Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Johnsons live in Louisville, Colorado; photo by Diane Johnson

05 Jan

HMS RICHARDS SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM SAVED WITH SIX MINUTES TO SPARE

RMCNews with Jill Harlow – Loveland, Colorado … After a day of howling winds that cut the electricity on the Campion campus, children and families made their way to a cold and dark Campion Church sanctuary guided by flashlights and lamps lit by a small generator for the HMS Richards School Christmas program.

It may have been dark, but it certainly wasn’t a silent night. The excited voices of miniature angels, shepherds, and wisemen filled the sanctuary when–suddenly–the lights flickered on, and the sound system kicked in, just six minutes before the scheduled start time.

After this little wink from God, the program continued without a hitch. The students showed off their musical talents playing violins and handbells and singing Christmas music while proud parents took photos and videos.

Finally, the children in Pre-K through second grade reminded attendees of the reason for the season with their reenactment of the Christmas story.

Reflecting on the event, Jill Harlow, Campion Academy’s communication director, said, “Just as the return of the power reminded us all that God cares about the little things, may our everyday miracles remind us that Jesus was born as our Emmanuel, God with us.”

–RMCNews with Jill Harlow, communication director for Campion Academy; photos supplied

05 Jan

NEWDAY ADVENTIST CHURCH SHOEBOXES SHOW GOD’S LOVE

By Agape Hammond – Parker, Colorado … The numbers are in for the third annual toy drive at Newday Adventist Church in Parker, Colorado. Church members packed and shipped worldwide 834 shoeboxes filled with supplies and toys.

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes from Newday went to South Africa, Benín, Mexico, Ukraine, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haití, and many other countries.

Katrina White, a Newday member who has volunteered with Operation Christmas Child for more than 20 years and began the project at Newday, explains why this project is essential for those who receive the boxes.

“The shoeboxes may not change a child’s life, but it’s something tangible that shows someone cares about them, even from far away.”

Operation Christmas Child doesn’t begin with children receiving gifts. It starts by going into communities and teaching kids Bible classes. First, they get to hear about Jesus and start a twelve-week course called ‘The Greatest Journey.’ By the time children receive the shoeboxes, they know that Jesus loves them, and now they have proof that people are showing that love.

Mile High Academy partnered with Newday in February of 2021 to hold a toy drive that added items to each box. Each box contained school supplies, hygiene items, and age-appropriate toys.

Newday partnered with many organizations throughout 2021 to make the third annual Operation Christmas Child donation drive a success.

–Agape Hammond is director of social media and communications at Newday Adventist Church; photo supplied

05 Jan

FELLOWSHIP, LAUGHTER, AND COOKIES HIGHLIGHT SONSHINE ACADEMY CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

RMCNews with Annette Treat – Worland, Wyoming … The small, usually quiet, church of Worland, Wyoming was filled with laughter and fellowship on December 16 as students from Sonshine Academy showcased their acting skills in the performance of A New Nativity Play.

The country church usually welcomes an average of 20 members on Sabbath, but on this night, more than 50 people attended to celebrate the hard work of the school children.

Annette Treat, Sonshine Academy headteacher, was excited to see the church full. “After months of Covid closures, the church was filled with families and friends excited to be together at Christmas time!

Other church members echoed Treat’s sentiments about seeing the church full. “I wish the church were this full every Sabbath,” commented Hannah Curran, member.

Students were nervous, but performed to their best ability.” Commenting on their hard work in preparing the evening and how it went, Ella, a fifth-grader, said, “All of us were nervous, but at the end, we were proud of each other.”

Reflecting on the play, Robert, fifth-grader, said, “I liked my funny parts that I said in the play.”

When asked how the event went, Izik, third-grader, said, “We all did a very good job!”

The fellowship continued after the play when baked Christmas goods and punch were available to mull over as new connections were made and old friendships were rekindled.

Timothy, second-grader, summed up the evening perfectly when asked about the evening, “The cookies were delicious!”

–RMCNews with Annette Treat, Sonshine Academy headteacher; photos supplied

31 Dec

DEVASTATION WIDESPREAD IN SUPERIOR AND LOUISVILLE

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … Sunrise brought to light the full extent of the damage throughout Superior and Louisville, Colorado after firefighters fought to contain the blaze in Boulder County. It also confirmed the fears of some families that their house was gone, while others tried to get information any way possible on their property.

As of December 31, Boulder Adventist Church and Twin Peaks Adventist Church have accounted for all their members. Unfortunately, a Boulder church family lost their home in the fire. Others discovered their house, against all odds, survived.

“Survival was literally a matter of minutes and inches. The winds were so fierce and the smoke so thick that one wrong turn could have been deadly. I don’t use the word often, but it will truly be miraculous if the final tally shows no fatalities,” commented Mark Johnson, Boulder Adventist Church member.

At a December 31 morning press conference, Governor Polis said Avista Adventist Hospital would be out of commission for days or weeks.

Avista Adventist Hospital CEO Isaac Sendros told ABC’s Good Morning America, “I’ve never experienced anything like this. Every neighborhood around us was in flames.”

Later in the afternoon, Sendros sent an email to hospital employees and partners explaining the situation. “There is ash and soot in many parts of the building. Our re-opening will require continued assessment and extensive collaboration with public authorities and utilities in the coming days and weeks to ensure safety for you and our patients.” He went on to explain that the fire came within four feet of the large oxygen tanks the hospital uses.

Boulder County Sheriff said at the press conference that the fire had grown to 6000 acres and estimated that around 1000 homes were either damaged or destroyed.

Emergency shelters remain open for families needing a place to stay. The Campion Academy gym also remains available; however, as of December 31, the shelter remained empty.

Pastors and ministry leaders from the community assembled at Flatirons Community Church in Lafayette on December 31 afternoon to encourage, pray, and discuss what their churches can do to help the community recover.

Area churches are partnering with Avista Adventist Hospital to collect goods to help employees who have been displaced by the fire.

Boulder County Sheriff at the press conference encouraged all wishing to volunteer to visit https://www.coloradoresponds.org/ to discover ways to help. If you wish to donate to Adventist Community Services disaster response, please use the AdventistGiving app and mark the online tithe envelope ACSDR.

–RMCNews; photos by Diane Johnson and Avista Adventist Hospital

Avista Adventist Hospital was spared, but the burn scar shows the fire came just four feet from the oxygen tanks.

31 Dec

WILDFIRES DESTROYS LARGE PARTS OF SUPERIOR AND LOUISVILLE

Story updated 7:30 a.m. Friday, December 31.

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … Massive wildfires raged through the Front Range on December 30 causing incredible devastation in parts of Superior and Louisville. According to Boulder County Sheriff’s office, 580 structures have been destroyed. As crews continue to assess the damage the number of homes and businesses destroyed will continue to rise. Fires and hot spots continue Friday morning.

Avista Adventist Hospital was evacuated Thursday afternoon as the fires closed in.

“All patients were safely transferred to two of our sister facilities within Centura — Longmont United Hospital and St. Anthony North, and some were discharged from the hospital. All associates at this time have also been evacuated,” the hospital said on their Facebook page.

According to a 9News reporter who was providing updates from the hospital parking lot Thursday night, the fire reached the edge of the parking lot; however, first responders made a stand and were able to prevent the hospital from catching fire.

Several RMC members and families live in the areas affected by the wildfires and were forced out of their homes, some with very little notice. They, like tens of thousands of individuals, are waiting to see if their homes were destroyed.

Informing Mickey Mallory, RMC ministerial director, late Thursday evening Jay Murdoch, Boulder Adventist Church associate pastor reported that, “everyone in the Boulder Church has been accounted for and is safe. There are two families that evacuated whose homes are close to where the fire was. They are not sure if their homes have been impacted by the fire.”

Twin Peaks Adventist Church was also in an evacuation zone, however as of late Thursday afternoon, Tim Jones, pastor, informed Mallory that the church was to the north of the fire and was currently safe.

Mallory, commenting on behalf of the Rocky Mountain Conference, said, “Our hearts ache for those affected by the wildfires and I want to ask all to keep this matter in prayer.”

Campion Academy has opened their gym as an emergency shelter for RMC families who are not able to return to their homes due to standing evacuation orders. Don Reeder, Campion principal, said pets are welcome and Covid protocols are in effect in the gym. If you are in need of this shelter, please contact Reeder at 970-443-3432.

Adventist Community Services is on standby waiting to hear from Boulder County officials on where they can assist the community in this tragedy. Material donations will be accepted for the families in the coming days and a list of needs and locations to drop off donations will be announced.

If you wish to donate to Adventist Community Services disaster response, please use the AdventistGiving app and mark the online tithe envelope ACSDR.

30 Dec

FIRES RAGING THROUGH FRONT RANGE CITIES – AVISTA ADVENTIST HOSPITAL BEING EVACUATED

Updated Story

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … Multiple fires have caused the evacuation of two Front Range cities Superior and Louisville, Colorado, and Avista Adventist Hospital.

The plume of smoke was visible from Longmont, about 15 miles north of Louisville, and from the Denver Metro area to the south.

Multiple RMC members have evacuated and are anxiously waiting for word on their homes and properties.

“Avista Adventist Hospital is evacuating and we have members in Louisville and Superior on the run,” Jay Murdoch, Boulder Adventist Church associate pastor said.

Twin Peaks Adventist Church is in the evacuation zone. “Louisville has been evacuated and the fires are about five miles from the church. Everything seems to be safe at this point. Our head elder Jack is keeping tabs on the situation,” said Tim Jones, pastor of the Twin Peaks Adventist Church.

In a press conference, Boulder County Sheriff’s officials said over 500 homes have been lost in Superior. They also commented that the fires are within two blocks of Avista Hospital, and the evacuation was due to heavy smoke in the area.

Mickey Mallory, RMC ministerial director has been in contact with pastors in the affected zones.

Mallory commenting on behalf of the Rocky Mountain Conference said, “There are RMC members that have been asked to evacuate. Our hearts ache for those affected by the wildfires and I want to ask all to keep this matter in prayer.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information is available.

–RMCNews; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

28 Dec

COMMENTARY: ON SPECKS, PLANKS AND TRIBALISM

By Ron Price … Several years ago, I heard a speaker at the Western Slope campmeeting state that he always tried to be conservative when leading his own life and liberal in allowing others to live theirs. That stuck with me over the years and, while I often fail, it is a life strategy I consider well worth pursuing.

Am I the only one who believes that most of our secular society does not often adhere to this philosophy? Unfortunately, we see the lack among our church family as well. We seem to have devolved to a point where we can only like, love, and associate with someone if he or she holds the same views of life that we do. That practice must come from the scripture where Jesus instructed us to “…go make disciples of all those who agree with you in everything.” Please don’t waste time looking for that verse. It simply isn’t there. You might want to reread Matthew 28:18-20, though.

To the contrary, our Lord Jesus Christ tells us that we are to “…love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…” (Mt 5:44). It would not be a stretch to add “love and appreciate those who act or view life differently than you do” to that list.

I find it helpful to realize that had I been born and experienced life as another person, I would likely hold to the views they espouse. The verses found in Matthew 7: 1-5 seem appropriate here – something about a speck and a plank?

Certainly, it is a common human trait to like to hang around with people you share similarities with- people who see and do life much like you do, or more importantly, think “correctly” about how life should be lived. I’ve seen this practice of tribalism de-fined as “the behavior and attitudes that stem from strong loyalty to one’s own tribe or social group.” Tribalism is not inherently negative, unless it gets to be exclusionary and creates an “us versus them” mentality. When that happens in a church it is a recipe for disaster.

For the past 18 months I have met weekly with a group, most of whose members have darker skin pigmentation than I do. That experience has often forced me out of my “comfort zone” and I promise you I am a better person because it did. I have viewed life through a lens I never could have had I lived solely within my own tribe. As a result I have come to appreciate differences in others rather than just tolerate, or mistrust them in any way.

So what am I proposing – that our church should become like a country club where so long as you pay your dues (tithe) all views and lifestyles are welcome? I hope not. I am suggesting, however, that we would all benefit by seeing each person as a child of God for whom Jesus gave His life. To that end, it would behoove us to become totally comfortable in that reality for ourselves. So long as I confidently know that God loves and accepts me, I can all the more love and accept those who differ from me in various ways.

–Ron Price writes from Farmington, New Mexico. A member of the Piñon Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church, he is also a member of RMC Executive Committee. Photo by iStock