Story by Visitor Staff / Images by Stephen Frimpong and Kwame Abrah, WGSDAC
Last Sabbath, December 11, Emmanuel Asiedu, Columbia Union Conference treasurer, was recognized for his ministry through ordination at his home church, Chesapeake Conference’s Washington Ghanaian church in Columbia, Md.
Leaders from around the union and country gathered at the event to affirm the ministry of Asiedu, his wife, Annette, and their daughters, Azaria and Anneliese.
Story by Adventist HealthCare Staff
Adventist Rehabilitation recently opened the doors to a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital inside of Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center in Silver Spring, Md.
Relocating from its previous Takoma Park location, Adventist Rehabilitation approached the design of the new two-floor, 42-bed hospital from the patient perspective first. In keeping with studies that show thoughtful design can improve outcomes and speed recovery, the new hospital will provide:
The 2022 Columbia Union Calendar, themed “Cultivate a Life of Praise,” features Bible verses that honor God and highlight the beauty of His creation.
Health tips from Adventist HealthCare staff are included every month, reminding readers to take care of their mental health.
Extra calendars can be ordered, for the cost of shipping, by calling (800) 447-7377. Ask for the “2022 Columbia Union Calendar.”
“And [Jesus] said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3, KJV).
When I was a boy, my grandfather used to say, “If you can put salt on a bird’s tail, you can catch the bird.” He would then hand us the saltshaker, and off we children went for hours of fun that brought joy and laughter to the adults watching from the porch. Needless to say, we wasted lots of salt and could never get close enough to those illusive birds.
“God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song” (Isa. 12:2, NKJV).
The phone rang. A voice on the other end had bad news to share with me.
“Your dad is not getting better,” she said.
That sunny day turned gloomy and gray.
Prone to depression, I asked my husband, “How can I be happy when dad is suffering? How can I enjoy the sunny days when he is cooped up in a hospital and I cannot visit?”
Thankfully, there is Someone who is faithful and kind and who every morning gives me the strength to continue on my journey. He promises to carry my burdens and heavy load.
For the first time in over two years, WGTS listeners were able to attend Night of Hope event in-person. Several hundred people came together at the Capital Turnaround in Washington, D.C., to hear worship music from Christian music artist Hope Darst and an inspirational message from Pastor Charles Tapp, who does the WGTS program Simple Truths for Life, and is also our WGTS board chair.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser” (John 15:1, NASB).
Jesus’ teaching in John 15:1 illustrates our dependence on Him: “I am the true vine,” He says. How often have we tried to be the vine, but produced sour grapes—the ugly works of the flesh? We have tried to find holiness and love for others in ourselves, which we will never find. “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature” (Rom. 7:18, NIV).
Jesus, the true Vine, will produce the fruit of the Spirit as we allow Him to live in us. “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live” (Gal. 2:20, KJV). Paul, who was crucified with Christ, was not the vine, vainly trying to do his best. He was the branch, whose self-confidence was broken and dependent on the Lord.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105, NKJV).
It seems as if the jungle, the mountains and rural areas are favorite destinations to send new ministers. I was no exception. My first district was in the deep forest of Nicaragua, surrounded by rushing rivers and deep lagoons. Our congregations resided in small communities nestled around these lagoons. Ninety percent of travel between them was by river, so we used an outboard motorboat to carry out pastoral work.
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11, NKJV).
“The term ‘armed to the teeth’ originated in Port Royal Jamaica in the 1600s when pirates were constantly looking for ships to loot and their guns were very primitive. As a result, pirates could shoot only once before a long reloading process. Consequently, they needed to carry a gun in each hand, and perhaps in each pocket. For extra power, they would also hold a knife between their teeth. To be ‘armed to the teeth’ means to carry the maximum number of weapons possible.”*
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19, NIV).
Many people live from paycheck to paycheck. In fact, many are one paycheck away from being homeless. I’ve been there before.
I had three small children living in Texas. There was no food, no job, no money and no husband. I had one cup of rice and one cup of beans, and, like the widow in the Bible, I was going to make that meal and then try to figure it out from there. She had made up her mind to die; I wasn’t quite there yet, but I was very discouraged.
I was living in a town where I had no friends, church or family. My baby daughter needed milk, but I didn’t have any way to get it. I felt hopeless.