Rising From The Ruin

Sunday, January 21, 2007
We arrived at the Milton church anxious and anticipating the opportunities and work that was a mystery to most of us. Thirty people, 21 new and 9 veterans, 19 SDB’s and 11 members of the larger Christian community, all going with one purpose…to help those in need. We were gathering to go to Kiln, pronounced “Kill”) Mississippi, the boyhood home of Brett Favre, to rebuild the hurricane ravished homes of people we didn’t even know. We prayed as a group for a safe and successful trip and then left the Milton church at 8 pm with our vehicles loaded with tools, sleeping bags, clothes and people.

We traveled 973 miles. During the trip some napped, some drove, some got acquainted. We all had cookies to munch on that many provided for us from the Milton church. And yes, many cups of coffee and high octane soda was consumed to stay awake.

Monday, January 22, 2007
We Arrived at Bayou Tallah Fellowship church in Kiln, Ms. at about 2 in the afternoon. We were tired and worn out from the lack of sleep the night before.
After we got settled into our lodgings a few of us went on a tour of the devastation in the city of Bay St. Louis. Even 17 months after Katrina, the amount of damage was evident. We were silent as we witnessed what people lost and how the impact of such a storm changed the lives of so many forever.

We received an orientation on how things operated and what was expected of us. The Samaritans’ Purse people are very organized. John is the director and his wife Connie handles the administrative end of the organization.

Lights out was at 9:30 PM. We slept on cots in Sunday school rooms of the church. Many brought air mattresses. Some slept on the floor and Josh Harris slept on chairs neatly arranged into a make shift bed.

We are looking forward to tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Up at 5 AM. A BIG Breakfast at 6 AM that consisted of eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, pancakes and then devotionals that lasted until about 7 AM. We packed a bag lunch to eat on the job site, many of us got to eat with the homeowner at least once, and we got ready to work for the day. We received our assignments, Pastor George’s crew to “mud out”, Renee’ Ochs crew to roof and Brandon Crandall’s crew to dry wall. We grabbed the tools we needed from the Samaritans’ Purse people and away we went.

Now after a hard day of mudding out, roofing and dry walling, nothing feels better than a shower and then a hot hearty meal. That was not going to happen on Tuesday night! The city maintenance crew made sure of that. They cut the water main out in front of the church. Paul to the rescue! He went into town and bought sanitized wipes for everyone. Paul has a heart of gold and sees the needs and solution before anyone else. Thanks Paul!

Dinner was every night at 5:30 sharp in the combination parish hall/sanctuary. They fed us well! As dinner ended there was a time of sharing where people told stories of what happened that day or just tell what was on their heart. They announced that the water was back on which lead to a loud cheer from the dirty dinner guests.

Later that night, after showers of course, the Hands Of God crew met and Neil and Chad lead a few songs for the group. Pastor George got us talking about what we learned today. Each night we could see the change in our people as they helped those truly in need.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Up at 5 AM. A BIG Breakfast, devotionals, bag lunch, received our marching orders and off to work we go. Mud out crew, check! Roofing crew, check! Dry wall crew, check and what is this? Two new crews! They split us up! You bet they did! We came to work and they utilized our talent. Phil Watson took a crew to do detail work and Brandon took a crew to tear out a bathroom…and I mean tear out! We grabbed the tools we needed from the Samaritans’ Purse people and away we went again. The drywall crew finished their job in the morning and was put to the task of removing and installing windows…in a brick house! Another day…another challenge!

Thursday, January 25, 2007
Up at 5 AM. A BIG Breakfast, devotionals, bag lunch, received our marching orders and off to work we go. Did I mention that we found that nothing was plumb in the homes we worked on? Nothing was PLUMB in the homes we worked on! You couldn’t find a 90 degree corner or level spot if you tried. The Samaritan’s Purse people referred to this as “custom homes”. They were custom in the fact that they were built by somebody’s father, grandfather or someone named Eileen.

Friday, January 26, 2007
Up at 5 AM. A BIG Breakfast, devotionals, bag lunch, received our marching orders and off to work we go. This turned out to be our last day. They were calling for rain the next day with a 90 percent chance of that happening.

Saturday, January 27, 2007
Got up at 5:30 and packed our belongings after breakfast and said our goodbyes. Everyone was in good spirits but tired. We had helped some people and done some good things. It felt good.


NOTE
The people in that area are still in great need. So many people lost everything from jobs, homes, personal belongings, and pets. Memories are all that some have left. We saw several different relief agencies at work. Samaritans’ Purse has committed to remain there until May 31, 2007. The church, Bayou Tallah Fellowship, has virtually given its building over to the Samaritans’ Purse. Members are there every morning and night to assist with the preparation of meals. This church is sacrificing a lot and providing a great service. The work we did was hard but very rewarding. And performing it in a Christian atmosphere makes it even better.

Renee Ochs, Brandon Crandall, George Calhoun, Jim Polarski, Phil Watson, Ron Preiss,
Elise Walker, Rob Appel, Jennifer Preiss, Randy Kersten, Ron Ochs, Kathy Zalor,
John Miller, Paul Benish, Josh Harris, Phil Lawton, Neil Lubke, Todd Brookhiser,
Frank Perrino, Fred Wuerthele, Nick Kersten, Deb Perrino, Leanne Wuerthele, Steve Gincer,
Chad Ochs, Karen Brookins, Steve Gincer II, Jamie Dutcher, Frankie Giffone, Kristie Jorgenson

Thanks for Praying

The SDB Council on Ministry (COM) is slated to gather this weekend for its annual meeting. Council members from both coasts will be traveling to the Center here in Janesville. COM's Director Gordon Lawton would appreciate your prayers for safe travels, good health, and the Lord's wisdom in their important deliberations. Let's continue to lift up all of our pastors and students.

I will be heading to southern California to share God's Word and the work of the Tract and Communication Council. Please pray for safe travel and for a good visit with friends at the Foothill Community Church (SDB) in Montrose.

Other gatherings this weekend include the quarterly meetings of the SDB Memorial Fund trustees (Washington, D.C. area) and the SDB Missionary Society (Westerly, RI). Please remember the board members, their executives, and the mission to help our churches fulfill the Great Commission.

Thank you for your prayers.

Parlez-vous français?

Parlez-vous français?
If so, “Bon Sabbat!”

A Seventh Day Baptist in France, Frédéric Maret, is working to plant churches in that country. He has created a website www.pistis.org to let French Christians know about SDB beliefs.

Brother Frédéric also invites you (if you speak French) to participate on his forum, at http://foietoeuvres.fast-forum.org.

2007 E-File Season is Open

IRS E-File Opens for 2007 Filing Season

WASHINGTON — Taxpayers may file their 2006 tax returns electronically beginning today as the Internal Revenue Service opens the e-file program following a record-setting year.
“E-file is fastest, safest and most accurate way to file a tax return,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “People will get their refunds faster through e-file. E-file greatly reduces the chances for making an error compared to filing a paper 1040.”
Taxpayers who use IRS e-file and who choose direct deposit can receive their refund in half the time. Also, tax return information is protected through encryption, and an e-filed tax return is far more accurate than a paper return. Taxpayers receive an acknowledgement within 48 hours that the IRS accepted the return.
IRS e-file surpassed a record in 2006 when more than 73 million tax returns, almost 54 percent of all returns, were filed electronically.
IRS e-file allows taxpayers to file their return and pay later should they owe taxes, and it allows taxpayers to file both the federal and most state returns at the same time. The IRS began the e-file program in 1986 as a pilot project in three cities: Cincinnati, Phoenix and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. That year, there were 25,000 tax returns filed electronically. The e-file program expanded nationwide in 1990 and 4.2 million tax returns were filed. IRS e-file has undergone tremendous growth each year.
Taxpayers may use IRS e-file through their tax preparer, over-the-counter software or Internet programs. The IRS does not charge for e-file, but some tax preparers and software manufactures may charge a fee.
IRS Free File, a partnership between the IRS and some software manufacturers, will offer free tax preparation and e-filing for taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income of $52,000 or less. This AGI accounts for 70 percent of all taxpayers or 95 million taxpayers. This year the program features an agreement by private sector partners to remove Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) as well as other ancillary offerings from the program. Free File will be available later this month.
Feb. 3 Start Date for Extenders Provisions
The IRS plans a Feb. 3 start date for processing tax returns that claim key tax provisions enacted in December. Both paper and electronic returns will not be processed if submitted before Feb. 3. Tax returns filed on paper will be accepted but will not be processed until after IRS processing systems are updated on Feb. 3.
The IRS also noted that it will begin processing both e-file and paper tax returns that include claims for key “extender” provisions, including deductions for state and local sales taxes, higher education tuition and fees, and educator expenses on Feb. 3. Any other tax returns for individuals that do not claim an extender provision can be filed as normal this month.
Tax returns filed on paper with these extender provisions will be accepted but will not be processed until after IRS processing systems are updated on Feb. 3.
The IRS emphasized that using IRS e-file is the most accurate to file any return and the quickest way for taxpayers to receive their refunds. Tax software will be updated so taxpayers can easily claim the extender provisions.
Related Items:
· IRS E-File: Filing Your Taxes was Never Easier!
· Electronic IRS
· Electronic IRS Press Kit (12 pages, PDF)
· E-File Fact Sheet
· IR-06-195, IRS Begins Implementing Extenders Legislation; Works to Help Taxpayers During Filing Season
· Free File
· 1040 Central
· Where's My Refund?

Source: IRS Newswire, Issue Number: IR-2007-010, January 12, 2007

IRS Opens New Free File Program for 2006 Tax Returns

Improved, Expanded Free File Program Opens Today for 95 Million Taxpayers

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and its private-sector partners today announced the opening of this year's Free File program with a series of improvements and changes to help taxpayers. The free tax preparation and free electronic filing initiative begins its fifth year with more consumer-friendly features and expanded services for Spanish-speaking taxpayers.
Seventy percent of the nation’s taxpayers – 95 million Americans – qualify for Free File. This year, up to 20 Free File Alliance companies will participate in the program run by the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a consortium of tax preparation software companies. The program is available only through IRS.gov.
“The Free File program has significant changes this year that make it an even better deal for taxpayers,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “A huge part of the taxpayer public can use these free services. Taxpayers should review the Free File offerings and see which one works best for them.”
Free File Alliance Executive Director Tim Hugo said, "This year, 95 million Americans will be eligible to participate in a Free File program that has made dramatic improvements for the taxpaying public. The Free File program is a public-private partnership at its best."
A new agreement reached last month between the IRS and the Free File Alliance means enhanced services for taxpayers this year. Among the changes and features of this year’s program:
Seventy percent of the nation’s taxpayers – those with an adjusted gross income of $52,000 or less – are eligible for Free File. Each company sets its own criteria for who can use the service.
Taxpayers will be able to use Free File to request the Telephone Excise Tax Refund. Taxpayers can either request the standard amount, which ranges from $30-$60, or the actual amount. Some alliance members will provide free access to Form 1040EZ-T for those people who have no legal obligation to file a tax return, but who can request the one-time telephone excise tax refund. Some alliance members also will offer free access to Form 8913 to request the actual amount.
Two companies will offer Free File in Spanish.
Participants will no longer offer refund anticipation loans (RALs) and other ancillary products.
Some Alliance members are offering the state return for free. All Alliance members’ Web sites display whether state online tax preparation and filing services are available and the associated fees, if any.
Taxpayers can use Free File to file a Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File.
The Free File Alliance selects its own membership, and all members must meet the IRS’ high standards for security and privacy. The IRS does not endorse any Free File Alliance company. While the IRS manages the content of the Free File pages accessible on IRS.gov, it does not retain any taxpayer information entered on the Free File site.
More than 3.9 million taxpayers used Free File last year. Free File debuted in 2003 with nearly 2.8 million users.
Taxpayers consistently give high marks to Free File in satisfaction surveys. According to Russell Research, a market research firm contracted by the IRS, 94 percent said they intend to use Free File again this year, 96 percent said they found Free File very easy or somewhat easy to use and 97 percent said they would recommend Free File to others. Convenience, not the free cost, was the most appealing factor of Free File.
“This level of public satisfaction with Free File is just astounding,” Everson said. “This innovative program provides real value to the taxpayers. Taxpayers will find we’ve made a great program even better this year.”
Related Items:
Free File Home
Free File Press Kit
Telephone Excise Tax Refund
IR-2006-187, RALs Removed on Free File; 93 Million Eligible for Program

Source: IRS Newswire Issue Number: IR-2007-011, January 16, 2007

A New Baptist Covenant

By Marv Knox and Greg Warner

ATLANTA (ABP) -- Baptists from across North America will convene in Atlanta early next year to emphasize their compassion rather than the racial, theological and social conflict that has divided them for decades.

Former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton -- two of the world's most famous Baptist laymen -- announced the Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant, tentatively set for Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2008. The announcement came Jan. 9, after the ex-presidents had met with about 80 leaders from 40 Baptist organizations in the United States and Canada at the Carter Center in Atlanta.

The 2008 convocation, which organizers expect will attract 20,000 people, will be "one of the most historic events at least in the history of Baptists in this country, maybe Christianity," Carter predicted.

Baptist harmony was broken, at least in the United States, in the mid-1800s. That's when divisions between Northern and Southern Baptists overwhelmed the missionary spirit that previously brought them together, Carter said, lamenting the schism that lasted for generations.

"We hope to recertify our common faith without regard to race, ethnicity, partisanship and geography," in the 2008 meeting, he said.

Participants in the meeting surrounding the announcement reflected his wish. They included representatives of groups connected to the North American Baptist Fellowship, a 20 million-member regional affiliate of the Baptist World Alliance. Leaders of the four largest African-American Baptist conventions attended, as did leaders of U.S.-based Hispanic, Japanese, Laotian and Russian-Ukrainian Baptist groups, plus Canadian Baptists and heads of Baptist state conventions in Missouri, Texas and Virginia.

Their goal is to demonstrate Baptist harmony, based around the themes of Jesus' inaugural sermon, recorded in the fourth chapter of Luke's gospel. Quoting the prophet Isaiah, Jesus said: "The Spirit of the Lord … has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come."

Those themes comprise the core of the North American Baptist Covenant, a statement drafted last April in a meeting at the Carter Center attended by some of the same Baptist leaders. At the time, they announced their intention to find a way to unify Baptists around Christ's compassion for people he once described as "the least of these" in society.

The overall endeavor is the brainchild of Carter and Bill Underwood, president of Baptist-related Mercer University in Atlanta and Macon, Ga. Carter recently enlisted Clinton to lend his star power to the pan-Baptist effort.

The leaders acknowledged Baptists could be divided by their history of racial tension and theological dissension. But they agreed Jesus' compassion mandate, as well as their shared heritage and core commitments, provide a platform for working together.

"Baptists -- North and South; from the U.S. and Canada and Mexico; black, white and brown; progressive, moderate and conservative in theology -- can focus on issues that bind us together as followers of Christ," Underwood told reporters.

In addition to building Baptist unity and collaboration, the group hopes to offer an alternative voice to "the Baptists who have the microphone," Underwood told leaders of the North American Baptist Fellowship one day earlier. The only image most North Americans have of Baptists, he said, comes from right-wing leaders who frequently appear on television news shows or other medial, representing some of the most negative rhetoric, most conservative political views and most fundamentalist theology.

"They are increasingly defining the Baptist witness in North America," Underwood told the NABF leaders, who range from conservative to progressive. "North America desperately needs a true Baptist witness. … There's no organization in this room that has a strong enough voice … but the organizations in this room together do have a strong enough voice."

The 2008 convocation in Atlanta will build on the themes of the covenant document unveiled last April. According to Jimmy Allen, the Southern Baptist Convention's last moderate president and chair of the program-planning team, plenary sessions will address large issues -- like unity, diversity and justice -- while breakout seminars will offer specific ways for Baptists to make a practical difference in solving the social problems Jesus addressed.

Topics for the breakout sessions will include prophetic preaching, ecology, sexual trafficking, racism, religious liberty, poverty, HIV/AIDS, dealing with religious diversity, public policy, youth issues, evangelism, stewardship and the spiritual disciplines.

"Every person who comes ought to be able to find some specific way to put their faith into action," Allen said.

Clinton expressed hope for what he said might become "a movement" among Baptists. He offered the resources of his foundation to help participants get involved in solving the social ills they will discuss in Atlanta.

"This is an attempt to answer: What would our Christian witness require of us in the 21st century?" Clinton said. "It is a part of our faith obligation. But it also is a part of our common life .… This is an important event in the history of Christianity -- how faith should relate to public life."

William Shaw, president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., a predominantly African-American group, echoed Clinton's observations.

"One of the challenges this places before us as Baptists and as believers is to live up to our faith," Shaw said. "God is moving to make faith real, addressing the issues we face in non-political ways and non-partisan ways but in prophetic ways. We look forward to this with tremendous celebration."

DeWitt Smith, new president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, pointed to the Old Testament prophet Micah as a guide for how the 2008 convocation and its resulting activity should be patterned.

"If we say we love God, we will 'do justice and love mercy,'" Smith said. "Lip service is fine, but we are looking for ways to put feet to our faith. It is possible to be together and differ on opinions. But when it comes to what matters to humanity … it will work."

The convocation will move Baptists forward, Carter stressed. "Our goals are completely positive … and all-inclusive," he said. "We call on all Baptists who share these goals to join with us."

Conspicuously absent from the gathering were representatives of the Southern Baptist Convention, which with 16 million members on its rolls is the largest single Baptist body in the world. Although SBC leaders were not invited to the Atlanta meeting, Carter and Clinton said they are welcome to join.

"We'd be thrilled to have them," Clinton said.

In recent years, Southern Baptists withdrew from the Baptist World Alliance and its North American Baptist Fellowship because of alleged liberalism -- a charge the group and its affiliated Baptist bodies flatly denied.

Underwood said an invitation hadn't been formally extended to SBC officials because the North American Baptist Fellowship's membership provided the core of the Carter Center gathering. "But it's important to say that a number of people here are Southern Baptists," he added.

Carter noted Southern Baptist officials participated in meetings he initiated in the 1990s to try to reconcile Baptist factions.

Both Carter and Clinton said they were encouraged more recently by the conciliatory tone struck by the new SBC president, South Carolina pastor Frank Page, and both called Page to tell him so.

They agreed that enlisting more conservatives and more Republicans will be important to the endeavor. "Our goal will be to extend an invitation to all Baptists," Carter concluded.

Underwood emphasized Carter and Clinton were not speaking in their capacity as political leaders or Democrats, but as Baptist Christians.


"We anticipate that there will be other Baptists who will participate in this endeavor who happen also to be Baptists but also happen to be Republicans," Underwood said.

Carter is a longtime member, deacon and Sunday school teacher at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown of Plains, Ga. The church recently ordained his wife, Rosalynn, as a deacon -- a move most Southern Baptist leaders oppose.

Although he attended Washington's Foundry United Methodist Church with his Methodist wife, Hillary, during his years in the White House, Clinton is a longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark.


F:\ABP\ABP edit today\Carter, Clinton announce summit 2.doc

http://www.abpnews.com/1603.article

New thrust at weekly chapel

For many years (forever?), the staff at the SDB Center has met at a designated time every week for a time of devotions, singing and prayer. We all take turns leading the mini-service-- or are appointed a slot by the all-powerful "Chapel Czar" Jan Ehlers.

In 2007, Executive Director Rob Appel has suggested that we have a shorter time of devotional thoughts, to spend more time in corporate prayer. We now list a handful of our church groups on the marker board and pray specifically for them. This year, your church and pastor will be lifted up in earnest prayer. When your church group comes up in the rotation and is prayed for, we will send out a letter letting you know that you were remembered.

Our thoughts have been more outward-focused as we remember why we exist--to serve the local SDB church in fulfilling the Great Commission. We would covet your prayers in return.

Bradenton Installs Pastor

Sabbath day, January 6, found me in Bradenton, FL, at the Bradenton SDB Church, a branch of the Daytona Beach SDB Church. We had gathered for the installation of the new Pastor, Michael Spearl.
Pastor Spearl was living in Bradenton 20+ years ago when he attended the SDB Branch Church there. Leland Bond was the Pastor then and Mike says that when he entered cautiously before the service, Pastor Leland came off the platform and rushed to the back of the worship area, grabbed him by the arm and said, "You are welcome here young man." Apparently Pastor Bond does not remember this but Mike does and says he has a witness.
I was privileged to be present and bring the morning message. There were over 40 in attendance with a large contingent being there from Daytona Beach. 1 Timothy 6:11-21, was the scripture for the day and we were encouraged to fight the good fight of faith, instruct and guard. Pastor Wray Winborne, from the Daytona Beach SDB Church, gave the charge to the candidate and many gathered after for a meal together.
Pastor Spearl is active in mission work in the Philippines as well as just beginning studies towards a Master of Divinity at Columbia International University. He had moved from Bradenton to Florida's East coast where he plugged into the Daytona Beach Church, becoming more active in the last few years. Now he has come full circle and is back in Bradenton. (For the record he grew up in Miami).

Pray for this group of faithful persons (some snowbirds) and for new ministry and growth. (Already there are two new regular attenders from the area).

Gordon

Things We Must Not Forget to Remember

New Year’s Resolutions are a popular pastime. We all “know people” who imagine how their lives could change this year if they could make just a few alterations. There is nothing wrong with committing to be more healthy, committing to be more conscious about the food we put in our bodies, and committing to be more responsible stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us. In fact, the dawn of a new year can inspire us to dream big about what the next year will bring.

However, the visions of the changes we would like to make in the first days of a new year often vaporize under the pressure of our daily lives and weight of unhealthy habits. None of us lacks good intentions; we only lack the strength of will it takes to stay the course.

The ministries of our local churches and this Conference face daunting challenges in 2007. We must confront once again the budget and structure of the ministries of the Conference. We must come together as a people and evaluate our involvement (or lack of it) in this culture, and how we will carry the Gospel to the world. We must decide for ourselves as individuals, as churches, and as a Conference what God is calling for us to do in this year.

Like New Year’s resolutions, we might be tempted to dream big for the future of our churches and of the Conference. And, like our own resolutions, all of those big dreams will vaporize without the commitment of individuals to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ in everything they do. All of us must make a decision every day of this year to be what God has called us to be and do what God has called us to do, or all the well-meaning vision of today will become our disappointment tomorrow.

The time to point at others and wait for action has long since passed Seventh Day Baptists. We are not a numerous people. We have never been a numerous people. But we have always been God’s people. Today, God makes a request of all of us: to represent Him in this world, on all the roads we may find ourselves. If change is what we desire for Seventh Day Baptists, if we really want to see the former health and growth of our churches in our time, then each of us must be the change we wish to see. We must embody the life and love of our Lord, and do it in such a way that He is honored, even when people cruelly harass us for our faith. (1 Peter 3:8-18) We must not be afraid, for the path of fear and preservation will not take us where God desires us to go.

It is an exciting time to be a Seventh Day Baptist. There is much work that the Lord is calling for us to do. Each of us has been given a sacred responsibility to direct all our worldly assets—our time, talents, and resources—for the increased glory of the Kingdom of God and the spread of his Gospel. Each of us is important, because we aren’t a big enough group to survive sloth from too many people. You and I must be what we wish Seventh Day Baptists to become. Luckily, none of us must take on this resolution alone, because we have a God who loves nothing more than to work through His people. All we need is to be honest about who we are, earnest in our efforts to carry the Gospel and be responsive to God, and to follow where He directs us.

May the Lord bless and equip each of you in the ministry God has for you in 2007. May God grow us into the people He wants us to be this year.