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Camp Meeting Part 1
Loving God, A Sneak Peek
Carol Baker
July 18, 2024
Palmer SDA E-News
Loving God, A Sneak Peek
It is indeed an honor to be part of your remarkable camp meeting nestled in the heart of Alaska's stunning natural beauty. It's not every day that we get the opportunity to immerse ourselves in such pristine natural beauty, and I truly believe that our surroundings offer a unique chance to connect with God and strengthen our faith in profound ways as we dive deeply into the theme “Loving God”..
In the Bible, we often read about journeys taken by God's people—journeys that tested their faith, built their character, and brought them closer to the Lord. As we embark on this weekend together, let us consider our time together a spiritual journey. Whether you travel from nearby towns or far-off places, each of us has been called for a purpose. This is our chance to step away from the busyness of daily life and listen to God's voice in the stillness of creation.
LOVING GOD, Embracing the Call: Strengthening Our Faith through the Alaskan Wilderness
The Alaskan wilderness is a powerful symbol of God's majesty and creativity. In Romans 1:20, Paul reminds us that "since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made." As we hike through forests, gaze upon majestic mountains, and feel the crisp air on our faces, let us be mindful of our pledge and promises to our loving God's presence in every detail. This weekend will also be a precious time for building and strengthening your Conference and the community it represents. In Hebrews 10:24-25, we are encouraged to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another." Let us take this to heart as we share meals, worship, and engage in meaningful conversations. Our fellowship will be a testament to the body of Christ working together, supporting, and uplifting each other.
As we immerse ourselves in worship, prayer, and reflection, I challenge each of us to embrace the call that God has placed on our lives. Whether it's a call to serve, to lead, or to simply grow deeper in our faith, let this weekend be a time of renewal and commitment. Like the prophet Isaiah, who answered God's call with "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8), may we also be willing to step out in faith and follow where He leads. In the days ahead, let's open our hearts and minds to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Let us be inspired by the beauty of God's creation, strengthened by our fellowship, and committed to embracing the call that God has placed on each of us. Together, in this beautiful Alaskan atmosphere, we can grow in faith and leave ready to make a difference in our communities for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank you, and may God bless each and every one of us during this Camp Meeting and beyond.
Hyveth Williams DMin, Phd.
Andrews University
 | Sabbath ConcertSabbath afternoon concert. If you have a group or want to participate contact information below. The concert will be from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. We are trying to keep the length of each item to a maximum of five minutes. Gratefully, Nama Neufeldt |
Food For Thought:
Do You Believe In Coincidences?
A few weeks ago, I was asked if I believed in coincidence. “That's a tough question to answer with a yes or no. To answer it, I need to tell you about the God I believe in and don’t believe in first.”
“That’s fine.” Was the response.
“Well, I believe God is Love, and that love does not coerce. God wants me to have a relationship with Him because of who He is, not because of a threat of what He could do or not do. In other words, God will always honour my freedom of choice, even when I make wrong or poor decisions. That also can prevent God from interfering when other people make bad choices, and those decisions affect me. I don’t understand how, but I believe that our prayers and others' prayers can allow God to work more in the parameters of the natural laws (that we don’t understand) to guide us to Him. Like Job in the Bible, I may never understand why bad things happen in this life, but in the end, I know that God cries with me and that with my choices, this was the best way things could have gone. So with that, I believe God can arrange situations to arise that do not interfere with our freedom of choice; that could be called coincidence. Long answer to a short question. Hope it was not too confusing.”
“No, thanks for sharing.” The conversation then moved on to other things.
The next day a call came in that the brother to the person that asked the question, tragically lost his life.
The question is, was this person’s initial question a coincidence for me?
By Monte Burtch
Events
Access the complete calendar on the Palmer SDA church Website (Events) tab.
Local Church Events | Exterior Events | Coming Soon |
|---|---|---|
The Chosen | Stuff The Bus | Camp Meeting 2024 July 23-27 |
Teen Camps |
 | Fellowship MealPlease plan to join us on the second and fourth Sabbaths of each month for a fellowship meal. Bring a dish that is enough for your family and extra to share. Enjoy this opportunity to get to know your church family better! For questions, contact Cora Carleson at 907-982-5700. |
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