FLAME | Winter 2018 by THE FLAME | Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 4 WINTER 2018 FLAME

INSPIRE

WINTER 2018

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

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INSPIRE

WINTER 2018

Featured Artist

Artist: Kaelyn Plata

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 5

14 Recipe

Family

Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd for a reason. Find out why it mattered in Living Faith.

The holidays are great for trying new recipes to share with friends and family. These vegan and gluten-free sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mores bars are a guaranteed hit.

Temptation can come from anywhere, but God promises to stand by us when things get tough.

Legacy

Wellness

Dan and Lois Serns come from a family of givers. Read how his grandparents established giving as an important family tradition.

Tired of doing the same gym routine day after day? Get some fresh air with these outdoor alternatives.

Zoe made a huge mess, but taught Alexis an important lesson in the process.

Living Faith

Kids

Education

Discipleship

Calendar

The new science lab at Chisholm Trail Academy paved the way for a new kind of learning.

Growing Young Adventists is an exciting, new way to get our younger members involved. Discover what your church can do to start growing young.

Save the date for these exciting events, training sessions, camporees, and much more.

Feature

Insight

Yisel went through a time where every penny mattered, and yet she still gave back faithfully. That dedication led to a parking lot encounter that has stayed with her ever since.

His encounter with a modern shepherd led to profound insight about Jesus.

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The Good Shepherd

LIVING FAITH

WINTER 2018

By Tom Grove

In John 10:11-13, Jesus says, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So, when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then, the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. Even though shepherding in the 1st century tended to be a family business, there came times when the flock got too large for a shepherd to handle by himself, so he would hire extra help. Many of these hired hands were transients who would move from place to place looking for temporary jobs. And so, when they took this job, many would do the least amount of work they could in order to earn their wage. Because of this, these workers had no vested interest in the flock with which they were helping. This lack of interest would especially show when a predator approached the flock. While a shepherd would try and defend his sheep against the predator, the hired hand would flee, leaving the sheep vulnerable to the approaching predator. It is this contrasting shepherd that Jesus presents to the crowd. They could see clearly that Jesus was drawing a distinction between

Himself and the Pharisees. Though the Pharisees were to be the shepherds of the people, they had abdicated their duty. The people, however, saw something different in Jesus. There was no pretense of superiority or abuse for monetary gain. I am the Good Shepherd, He declared, The good shepherd lays down His life for His flock. Philip Keller tells a modern-day story of a shepherd’s passion to protect his flock. Just a few days after Philip moved into the Maasai territory in eastern Africa, a boy of about ten-years-old was carried up to our house. He had single-handedly tackled a young lioness that tried to kill one of his flock. With pure bravery, he had managed to spear the lion. The mauling he took almost cost him his life, and he was rushed to the nearest hospital 27 miles away where his life was barely spared. A good shepherd is one who has so much love for his flock that he is willing to give up his life for them. And Jesus said, I am the Good Shepherd. This is My mission here, to give up My life for you. But there is one difference between Jesus laying His life down for humanity and a shepherd putting himself in harm’s way for sheep. The difference is that Jesus’s decision was not made simply when danger appeared. Instead, this decision was made eons ago. A

decision that, as time went on, always loomed on the horizon. And, as He spoke these words to the crowd that day, Calvary’s cross was becoming more visible in Jesus’s future. And He says to us today, I am the Good Shepherd. I know you like no one else in this universe knows you. I love you like no one else in this universe loves you. I know the real you. And it is because I know you better than anyone else, that I gave up my life for you. I have such a passion for you that, if you would have been the only one, I would have stayed on the cross for you. Hear My voice calling you. See the path that I want you to walk. Come, be part of a new experience with Me.

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LEGACY

WINTER 2018

A Legacy of Giving Dan and Lois Serns saw firsthand how families and ministry can benefit from a charitable estate plan. Many years ago, Dan’s grandparents, Frank and Evelyn Moran, inherited property near where the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport is now located. They wanted to create a charitable gift from the inheritance, so they set up a plan that directed a large portion of the proceeds from the sale of the property to be used to establish a nursing program at Southwestern Adventist University. Huguley Hospital had recently been built, and they wanted to be able to help train nurses to staff the hospital. Some of the remaining portion of the proceeds were used to establish Educational Trusts to help their grandchildren attend college. Believing that you appreciate most the things that you work for, they stipulated that the grandchildren would have to work to help pay their tuition and that they would assist them with up to 25% of the tuition fees for up to five years. Most of the funds that were left in the Educational Trust at the end of that time were given to other charitable projects. Dan still remembers a trip taken with his parents and grandparents when he was about 15-years-old. They traveled throughout much of Central America, and as they traveled they would write checks to assist wherever they saw a need. Lois’s parents also saw the benefit of charitable estate planning. Her dad, Pastor Norman Martin, had spent several years working as an engineer before serving as a minister, ending his career at the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church. He understood the need to have everything in order and have a plan in place, as did his wife, Dickie. They chose to set up a Family Trust Agreement that will, ultimately, benefit both the family that they love, and the ministries they support. It was only natural then, that the Serns chose to continue the legacy of giving by setting up their own Family Trust with the help of the Texas Conference Department of Planned Giving and Trust Services, and they encourage everyone to do the same. If you would like information on how to create, or continue, your own family’s legacy of giving, get in touch with a Texas Conference Planned Giving consultant today or visit texasgiving.org.

EDUCATION

WINTER 2018

God’s Multiplying Goodness By Makala James

Over $150,000 seemed like an impossible sum to raise for a new science lab and classroom at Chisholm Trail Academy. It was a sum that would take more than fundraising, it’d take faith. Students prayed every day, and the community pitched in to help. Now, Chisholm Trail Academy is filled with pride because of its brand-new lab. Momentum from that experience continues to build as the campus tackles more and more improvement projects. “The Lord has blessed us tremendously,” says Tommy Simons, principal. “I’ll be honest, I was somewhat skeptical at first. It took a lot of praying! The facility here is old but we work to keep it up-to-date and operational.” The idea for a new lab was first proposed by board member Veronique Weis. She researched what it would take to renovate the lab. Then, when Jonathan Coker joined the teaching staff at CTA, he and Weis partnered to get things rolling. The fundraising efforts started off with seed money from the Texas Conference and the Southwestern Union. Then, the school submitted two proposals to AdventHealth, which came back approved. “It only built momentum after that,” says Jonathan Coker, religion, history, and English teacher. “I’m not a good fundraiser. I just wanted a project to put in front of my kids, for them to have something to pray about.” Later that year, someone offered to donate a $20,000 matching grant, which was met. In addition, a call to action took place at alumni weekend, and several donors stepped up to help CTA reach its goal. Amazingly, all the money was raised within a year.

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Ceiling tiles, flooring, and everything in between were completely removed to make room for new lab equipment, and nothing remained from the original science lab. This was the first time the lab had been updated in the history of the school. With the new lab, students will also be provided with the latest technology and teaching techniques. “During the summer, there were some ups and downs,” said Randy Anglada, business manager. “We were afraid the renovations wouldn’t be completed, and some items were backordered. But, for some reason we got it right on time. We finished a week before school started.” The school dedicated the newly renovated science lab to Tyke Connell, long-time science teacher at CTA. She is nearing 30 years of service to the school, and the lab was the school’s way of saying thanks. “We definitely want to recognize her dedication to the young people in Christian education,” says Simons. “Our thanks to all those entities that helped us. We are so grateful and feel blessed for every dollar and every person that had a part in this.” In the wake of the new lab, a surge of campus improvements began to take place. “Since we did the science lab, so many other projects have come out of the woodwork,” says Coker. “It’s really invigorated a lot of the staff, students, and community to be proud of our school and to say, ‘What else can we do to roll up our sleeves and get involved?’” Spanish classes landscaped the front of the school, taking out old, battered bushes and replacing them with flower beds. The building received a power wash, making the bricks look like new. A community member even offered to completely redo the parking lot for free. He

EDUCATION

and his crew patched potholes, sealed the parking lot, and painted parking lines. In addition, security cameras were installed throughout the school, entryways received a new lock system, and a new digital sign was put up. One of the major projects taking place now is to replace all lighting with LED lights. When this project was presented to the board, CTA only had about half of the needed funds. The very next day, a generous individual dropped by to donate the remaining money. The new lights are more energy efficient and turn on and off automatically. “The Lord is good,” says Simons. “In all these improvements, we haven’t spent any of our operating funds. The Lord has blessed us.” As students make use of the science lab, there will be a continued effort to offer the best education possible, and the campus will continue to be improved upon. “I’ve seen God move giant mountains,” says Coker. “This whole project has taught me to wonder, ‘What other blessings is God waiting to bestow if we are just willing to ask?’”

WINTER 2018

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FEATURE

FALL 2018

The One Who Provides By Janelle Sundin 10

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After her freshman year of college, Yisel Lopez decided to become a professional singer. She’d spent years singing in church and was blessed with a beautiful voice. So, she applied to Berklee College of Music, a prestigious performing arts conservatory in Massachusetts. Getting into a school like that seemed impossible, but then the impossible became a reality. Even receiving serious consideration was more than Yisel had expected, but she was officially accepted into the school. “I was sure God was opening the doors for me,” she said. “I prayed before my audition that I would get in, and I thought God was showing me His mercy.” Yisel and her mother immediately began work on arrangements for her move, such as a loan, an apartment, and a roommate. Meanwhile, Yisel knew she needed to get a summer job. She decided to work at an Adventist summer camp. “I wanted to reconnect with God before I moved to Boston,” Yisel explained. “My faith was compromised. I thought if I did something wrong once, I was lost. I felt that it was too hard for me to stay on the right path.” Covarrubias worried her daughter was slipping away. “I was on my knees praying for her every morning,” she recalled. “My husband and I were reminding her of her faith, but she kept saying, ‘It’s your faith, not mine.’ But all that time, God was working on her heart.” God’s plan for Yisel took an unexpected turn: the job at summer camp fell apart. Just one week before she was supposed to move to camp, Yisel discovered that she had been hired to work during weekends, not weekdays. “I lived three hours away, and I couldn’t make enough to support myself on just the weekends. I had to find something else.” Yisel’s desperation led her to work as a literature evangelist. “I really didn’t want to do canvassing,” Yisel explained. “But my mom said, ‘Just call!’ And so, I did.” Yisel had a Skype interview with the director, and two days later she was driving to San Diego. Taking the job was the best thing Yisel could have done. “Within two weeks, I experienced a more radical connection with God than I ever had before,” Yisel said. “I met young people who were real Christians – not people acting one way at church and another way elsewhere. I learned what devotions were. I was convicted in every worship meeting I attended, and I started making decisions to recommit my life to God.”

WINTER 2018

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FEATURE

WINTER 2018

Until that point, Yisel had been praying that God would help her with her arrangements for Berklee, but she soon found herself praying a different prayer: “God, wherever You lead me, I will go.” Yisel was convicted to change her plans and go to a religious school in Arizona known as Souls West Bible College. When Yisel told her parents, they were worried. “We’re very college-oriented parents,” Covarrubias explained. “My husband and I thought it was a mistake. If she attended Souls West, she’d want to leave after a year, and then how would she pay for college?” Covarrubias told her daughter not to make any hasty decisions and promised to drive to San Diego so that they could talk. But on the Saturday she planned to visit, Covarrubias was delayed by her responsibilities at church, then she hit a traffic jam. “We’d lived in the area for years and driven to San Diego many times,” Covarrubias recalled. “But I’ve never seen traffic on the highway through the mountains stopped so completely. Not a single lane was moving, so I pulled off the highway and went home.” Later, Yisel told her mother that if she had visited during that weekend, she probably would have changed her mind. Still convinced that Yisel would eventually need money for college, her father decided not to assist her with the Souls West tuition. Yisel became determined to cover the costs herself. She knew the college expected students to do literature evangelism, and she could use the money earned there to cover costs. But Yisel’s plans left a few gaps. If she got sick or struggled with sales, she had to rely on a credit card. In her second year at Souls West, Yisel found herself at her limit. “The practicum that year was an evangelistic series, so I couldn’t do evangelism,” she recalled. “My credit card suddenly got maxed out, and I had only $30 left in cash.” Yisel had experienced money struggles before. She had sold her clothes to pay for tuition, and the shoes she wore were full of holes. The trunk of her car had to be tied closed, and her doors had to be jammed open. She spent breaks from school living in her car or on friends’ couches. But now Yisel was desperate; her money had to go toward a minimum payment on her credit card, and she had nothing left for food. She begged God for an answer. “I was walking back to my car after depositing the last of my money into an ATM for my payment, and this lady came running

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up to me,” Yisel recalled. “I thought she might ask me for money and I felt bad that I couldn’t help her, but then she said, ‘This is going to sound really weird, but God told me to give you this.’” It was a wad of cash. Yisel collapsed into her car in tears, thanking God for being her provider. “Before, when I was at college, I remember thinking that there was so much about the Bible I didn’t know and wishing that I could take a full year when all I had to do was study,” Yisel said. “God gave me two of the happiest years of my life. I had the opportunity to discover who Christ was every day, and I learned to rely on God as my Father. I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.” Covarrubias praises God for what He has done for her daughter. “Seeing Yisel struggle was hard for me as a mom, but because of the struggles, she got to see miracles happen,” she explained. “This was God’s opportunity to show her that He was there and real. God did what we couldn’t – He conquered her heart.”

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WINTER 2018

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RECIPES

WINTER 2018

Vegan, Gluten-Free Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mores Bars Ingredients 1 1/2 cups coconut sugar 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil, at room temperature 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 2 3/4 cups oat flour 2 1/4 teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder 1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt 3 tablespoons filtered water 2 (3.5-ounce) bars non-dairy dark chocolate 1 1/2 cups vegan mini marshmallows See the full recipe at blissfulbasil.com/vegan-glutenfree-smores-bars and find more healthy creations at blissfulbasil.com.

WELLNESS

WINTER 2018

The Great Outdoors

Not everyone loves to workout at the gym. Whether your reason is to save money, to get into nature, or to keep your workouts fresh, there are so many fun fitness alternatives to the same old routines. Head for the Hills Getting above ground level where most of us spend most of our time offers a different perspective for both mind and body. Even if you don’t have true mountains in your area, you can make your own terrain diversity by hiking the sides of a local hill or doing a few rounds up and down a flight of stairs. Cycle Through Town Cycling is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise even when summer heats up. Choose a tree-lined park path for some exposure to nature or bike through a new neighborhood to take in the sights. Cycling is also a great option for doing local errands; you can get your workout in while checking items off your to-do list. Hoop It Up Do you look back fondly to your younger days when you whirled around in a hula hoop? Hooping isn’t just for kids anymore! With an adult or weighted hula hoop, you can put in serious core work right in your own home. Or, take a look online to see if there’s a nearby hula class to try out.

Jump Around Trampoline work is an awesome way to get your jogging fix without putting extra pressure on your knee joints. If you’re pressed for time, all you have to do is head out to the back yard with your trampoline for a quick outdoorsy workout. Today’s trampolines are petite powerhouses and many have built-in stability and safety bars so you can bounce, jump and run while letting your mind wander.

If your city doesn’t offer yoga in the park, you can still get all the benefits by simply taking your yoga mat to a local green spot for either some relaxing stretches or more intense exercise. With these fun fitness alternatives to the gym, you can look forward to regular doses of the great outdoors while getting trim and toned your way.

Join a Sports Team From a quick game of pick-up basketball to a rousing Frisbee session in the local park, there is a lot of fitness benefit to be found in group sports. By bending, twisting, turning, running, jumping and squatting, you can get many of the same moves you would use in the gym and enjoy time with friends while you do it. Yoga in the Park Yoga is a great way to stretch sore muscles. But skip the indoor session and head to your local park where yoga has become a staple in many larger cities. If you have some teacher training under your belt or know a local teacher who is trying to build up their clientele, suggest some outdoor classes and see what comes of it.

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DISCIPLESHIP WINTER 2018

Growing Young Adventists By A. Allan Martin, PhD As a high school student, I loved to go to leadership camp where we did all kinds of team building activities and group dynamic exercises. A fun one involved a large steel drum riddled with holes, where teams would attempt to fill the drum with as much water as possible. It was quite the sight as students poured bucket upon bucket into the drum while several of us got drenched trying to plug as many holes as possible. There was laughter, mud, and soaked teenagers, but only minimal water in the barrel. Although I think fondly of that exercise, it reminds me of the news I’ve had to share for most of my youth and young adult ministry career. For over three decades, I cited the bad news of young people leaving church life behind. While I certainly celebrate the evangelism reports and commitment counts, in the background it always makes my heart ache to think of how many young people leave our congregations. “While we give every effort to evangelize strangers off the street, we are losing 60 percent of our own youth and young adults from our churches,” said Carlos Craig, Texas Conference President. “We need to do more, much more, to care for our own children.” I believe there is more to the story of Adventism and young people than attrition statistics, and I believe our time to act is now. “Let’s stop just wringing our hands, kicking this down to some future spot in the road,” said John Freedman, North Pacific Union President. “We have the ability to stop quoting statistics and start being active about making young people a priority now.” In their book, Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church, authors Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Brad Griffin profile hundreds of innovative churches that are engaging 15- to 29-year-olds. These churches are growing spiritually, emotionally, numerically, and in their mission focus. Stemming from the research conducted by Fuller Youth Institute, the authors outline six commitments essential to engaging young people:

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Unlock Keychain Leadership Keychain leaders entrust others with access and authority, and empower all generations including teens and emerging adults with their own metaphorical set of keys to help influence the direction of the church. Empathize with Today’s Young People This means feeling with young people as they grapple with existential questions of identity, belonging, and purpose, as they experience systemic abandonment due to divorce and the self-absorbed adults around them, and as they act out a desire for connection through social media. Take Jesus’s Message Seriously The authors were struck by how, in the churches studied, “Jesus reigns over poor theology and his words ring true for young sojourners hungry for life-giving direction.” One young interviewee said, “The goal for our church is not really effectiveness with young people, but serving and following Jesus. And young people like me are attracted to churches that want to do that.” Fuel a Warm Community Warm is the new cool in these congregations, where authenticity triumphs over worship style or a multitude of programs. Young people who participated in the research praised their churches for “warm” attributes, such as welcoming, belonging, accepting, hospitable, and caring. Prioritize Young People Everywhere Churches in the study revealed a disproportionate prioritization of young people – an impulse that, rather than excluding older generations, breathed life into the entire congregation. As one pastor put it, “Everyone rises when you focus on young people.” Involving young people in every ministry has allowed these churches to thrive with authenticity and intergenerational relationships.

DISCIPLESHIP WINTER 2018

Be the Best Neighbors The authors found that in churches growing young, the community accepts the difficult task of offering young people a thoughtful path to neighboring well. They provide opportunities for teens and emerging adults to serve others, pursue social justice, find their calling, interact with popular culture, and respond to heated issues. The authors show that reaching young people doesn’t boil down to hyperentertaining programs, trendy locations, or other attractions. What matters most are relationships, empathy, community, and Jesus. From their research, the authors laud, “Thanks to remarkable congregations, tens of thousands of young people can’t stop talking about how ‘known’ they feel in their church and how, no matter what happens, their church feels like ‘home.’” Here in Texas and across North America, we’re embarking on a learning journey we call Growing Young Adventists. “Our top priority is to intentionally move forward together in growing young,” said Freedman, “It’s possible to make decisions today that will proactively engage our young people with Christ and the church. Together, we can identify and implement processes that will help our churches to become revived.” Growing Young Adventists [#GYA] is an intergenerational movement nurturing relationship building and cultural transformation that embraces young people and benefits all generations in the Adventist church. It’s a learning journey for local churches and leaders, helping to build faith communities that will not only survive, but thrive in the years ahead. “If we take ‘growing young’ seriously,” said Ed Wright, Georgia-Cumberland Conference President, “and begin to form rich, healthy, and robust intergenerational relationships, our church would be in a very different place in 10 years.” Through Growing Young Adventists, we want to cheer, support, and resource congregations who desire the vitality of our young people and the great relationships

they bring. In our state, all of our pastors have been trained in the Growing Young commitments. Dozens of churches have sent intergenerational teams to our Growing Together Summits held this past fall. Many of our local church leaders, parents, and volunteers are contextualizing the growing young commitments, making it part of their local church culture. I’ve already heard many stories of local churches overflowing with empathy, grace, and leadership opportunity for next generations. When churches grow young, all generations benefit. Our hope is for the Seventh-day Adventist Church to be the best place for young people to grow. Our dream is for Adventist congregations to be filled to the brim with vibrant members of all ages, and all generations growing stronger together. Want to learn more about #GrowingYoungAdventists? Visit GrowingYoungAdventists.com.

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INSIGHT

WINTER 2018

Jesus, Our Shepherd By Michael W. Campbell

The car I was driving screeched to a halt, and I barely stopped in time. As I looked over the hood, I could see a sheep bleating up at me, and the innocent look on its face told me that it did not know how close it came to be minced lamb. My car was suddenly surrounded by hundreds of sheep as the small two-lane highway through the countryside swarmed with a herd making its way down the hills of Colorado. A few minutes later, a modern shepherd, in the form of a cowboy riding horseback, galloped up to the side of my car. “Howdy,” he shouted. We chatted for a few minutes while I expressed to him my relief that I had not taken out one of his sheep. He said that had I hit one it would have been all right. They lose them every now and then, so losing an occasional sheep wasn’t a big deal. The incident reminded me of the words of Jesus in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” What a contrast to the cowboy shepherd I met on the highway. Jesus created each and every one of us as unique and special, and it is because He created us that He also laid down His life so that we can all have eternal life. This is a good shepherd who notices when one of His sheep goes missing. Perhaps this is why the Gospels also contain the story of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7). It is here that we learn from the parable that the good shepherd, when even just one sheep is lost, goes in search of that one lost sheep. That good shepherd searches until the lost is found. In our brokenness, we are all like one of those sheep. In our sinful human condition, we are selfish, unable to save ourselves. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Rom. 3:23). Paul the Apostle reminds us that even though we would like to boast of our own goodness, we always fall short when we try to do it by ourselves. In fact, Paul reminds us that we are not saved “by works, so that no one can boast,” (Ephesians 2:9). The beautiful thing is that Jesus is good enough because He is both our Creator and Savior, and therefore knows us better than we even know ourselves. If we trust Him, He knocks on the door of our hearts, asking to come in. As a child, I put together a puzzle that I framed of Jesus as the good shepherd. That picture gave me hope because I imagined Jesus holding me in His arms. Jesus is the good shepherd who most of all wants each one of us with Him forever.

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FAMILY

WINTER 2018

Strength for the Weak

By Ruber and Ketty Leal

If we were given a chance to go on a trip to see what happens in the throne room of God, what would we see or hear? Come with me in an imaginative trip through the galaxies. Angels are coming and going, dispatched on errands of mercy. To us, it all seems a blur of random activity. His work to redeem every human soul is more than we can understand. He even urges His agents to aid those who don’t believe in Him, and He responds to the prayers of His believing children on behalf of those who don’t know Him yet. We can’t possibly take in everything, so let us share with you a scenario of what we might see. An angel presses his way to God’s throne. “Lord, it’s Sam,” the angel says, “He’s in trouble! He’s on a business trip, and he’s gone to the motel pool for a late-night swim.” “God”, the angel continues, “the enemy has planted someone in the pool near him, and even now she’s making him a blatant offer. Sam needs help fast, Lord. I know he wouldn’t want to yield if he was strong and really thinking!” Suddenly, someone begins coming through the crowd. “Get back!” Satan hisses. He glares at Jesus. “Sam may have been Your

follower at one time, but his life these last few months shows that he is not anymore. He has neglected prayer and Bible study; his mind drifts every time he’s supposed to be worshiping You. This adultery will surely be the natural outworking of his real desires.” Jesus steps before the throne. “Father, I ask that You remember My sacrifice on Calvary for Sam. I thought of him when making the decision to provide an escape for human beings. I love Sam, and I can’t let him go. Not yet! Father, I pray that You will forgive Sam for his neglect of Me and My Word these past few months. Cover Him with My righteousness.” The Holy Spirit steps forward with word that Sam is conflicted, “I spoke softly to his conscious” says the Holy Spirit, “he knows he is falling in a trap but he likes what he is feeling right now. However, when I searched his heart, I saw that he does not want to sin.” Instantly, God dispatches an angel to Sam’s side. With a strength that he himself doesn’t understand, Sam turns his gaze away from the woman, exits the pool, and hurries down the hall before she has a chance to follow him. While this scenario is obviously imaginary,

similar events have happened in many ways and in many places on this planet. Satan doesn’t stand in God’s presence, but he is the accuser of God’s people (Revelation 12:10). This story merely reflects what the Bible tells us about Jesus’s work on our behalf. He is busy interceding for His people who believe in Him, and even for those who don’t. The good news is that you and I have access to the same help that Sam had. Regardless of our struggles, we will always qualify for God’s grace when we ask. Accept His strength and watch Him fight for you.

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FAMILY

WINTER 2018

Get your

CLUB MINISTRY “GLOW” TRACTS and invite your community to join your club!

Get your order by writing us an email to youth@txsda.org

TEXAS CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

Youth & Young Adult Ministries 1211 U.S. 67, Alvarado, TX 76009 (817) 790-2255 | youth@txsda.org | www.txyouth.com

PAULO TENORIO IRIS ESCOBAR Youth Director

Administrative Assistant

KIDS

WINTER 2018

A Beautiful Mess

By Alexis Rivera

Zoe was a brand-new member of the family. She had bright brown eyes, a tan face, black and white spots, and a tail that wagged constantly. I knew that I loved her from the very moment she came home. We were inseparable, and she was the best dog ever. But Zoe had a little problem. She loved getting into mischief when I wasn’t around, especially when it came to food. One day, I decided I was going to bake a birthday cake for a friend. I pulled out all of my groceries: flour, sugar, eggs, baking powder, and salt. But one ingredient was missing. There was no milk! Because I was in such a hurry, I left the groceries on the kitchen table, and ran to the store to get the milk. It was only a few minutes, but I returned to a huge mess. Zoe just couldn’t resist what her nose smelled. She had jumped on the table, found the bag of flour, torn it open, and dragged it all over the house. There was flour on the carpet. There was flour on the couch. There was flour in the bathroom and bedroom. There was even flour on the ceiling. It was everywhere. Zoe was nowhere in sight. I found her hiding under my bed with the saddest, guiltiest look on her face. She knew she was in trouble. She was caked in so much

flour that I couldn’t even see her spots. But, instead of yelling, I laughed and said, “Come on Zoe, let’s get you cleaned up!” Then, I put her in the tub and washed her up. I took the vacuum and cleaned the carpet, dusted all the furniture, and wiped down the whole house. After a few hours of hard work, it was as if nothing had ever happened, and Zoe was zipping around the house as happy as ever. When I think about this story, I often think about what Jesus did for me. I will sometimes encounter temptations that are hard to resist; and when I get into them, they make a huge mess of my life and in the lives of those around me. Much like Zoe couldn’t tidy up from her floury mess for herself, I can’t clean these sins up by myself. However, the Bible has promised me in 1 John 1:9 that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When I come to Jesus, I can picture Him taking me by the hand and saying, “Come on Alexis, let’s get you cleaned up.” He does the difficult job of washing away my messy sins through His grace. I’m thankful for Zoe and the lessons she taught me, and for a loving savior whom I can come to daily no matter how messy I get.

FLAME

EVENTS December

February

14-16 | Engaged Couples’ Retreat | Lake Whitney Ranch

2 | Total Member Involvement Training | Tyler Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church

15 | Children’s Ministries Worship Workshop | Weslaco Seventh-day Adventist Church

3 | ACS Intro to Disaster Preparedness | Tyler Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church

3 | ACS Intro to Disaster Preparedness | McAllen Spanish Valley Central Seventh-day Adventist Church

28-Jan 1 | GYC 2018 Convention | George R. Brown Convention Center

9 | Total Member Involvement Training | Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church

3 | Vacation Bible School Training | Edinburg Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church

January

10 | ACS Intro to Disaster Preparedness | Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church

8-10 | Southwestern Union Conference Children’s Ministries Retreat | Hoblitzelle Camp & Conference Center

10 | Fresh Start: Reignite Your Church’s Passion for Soul Winning | Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church

10 | Vacation Bible School Training | Hoblitzelle Camp & Conference Center

16 | Total Member Involvement Training | Pflugerville Spanish First Seventh-day Adventist Church

19 | Total Member Involvement Training | Keene Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church

17 | ACS Intro to Disaster Preparedness | Central Texas Area

19 | Adventurer Bible Conference | North Dallas Adventist Academy

23 | Total Member Involvement Training | North Dallas Adventist Academy

20 | ACS Intro to Disaster Preparedness | Adventist Community Services Depot

24 | ACS Intro to Disaster Preparedness | Dallas Spanish Pleasant Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church

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2 | Total Member Involvement Training | McAllen Spanish Valley Central Seventh-day Adventist Church

24 | Fresh Start: Reignite Your Church’s Passion for Soul Winning | Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church

2 | Pathfinder Bible Achievement | Southwestern Adventist University

28-March 2 | 7th & 8th Music Festival | North Dallas Adventist Academy

31 | Vacation Bible School Training | San Marcos Seventh-day Adventist Church

March

April

1-2 | ForeverONE Marriage Retreat | Pflugerville Spanish First Seventh-day Adventist Church

6 | Sabbath School Training (Adult & Children) | Central Texas Area

2 | Pathfinder Bible Achievement | Houston Spanish Spring Branch Seventh-day Adventist Church

13 | Sabbath School Training (Adult & Children) | Keene Area

EDITORIAL

Publisher: Carlos Craig Editor: Jason Busch Managing Editor: Tamara Terry Assistant Spanish Editor: Ismael Castillo Layout & Design: Zack Posthumus | zackpostdesign.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church Southwestern Adventist University Feature and Profile images by Aaron Thomas Photography | aarontphoto.com Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists PO Box 800, Alvarado, TX 76009 Contact us at 817.790.2255 or visit TexasAdventist.org

ADMINISTRATION

President: Carlos J. Craig Secretary: Richard M. White Treasurer: Randall B. Terry

PRINTING AND MAILING

Director: Bo Gendke Pressman: Miguel Gomez Designers: Madelein Terreros Sora E. Yañez Print Shop Assistant: Doug Denny Administrative Assistant: Jannet Diaz

The FLAME is a publication of inspiration and education of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. It is sent free of charge to all members of the Texas Conference. If you have any questions or comments, please email FLAME@txsda.org.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Holy Spirit, shining upon the sacred page, will open our understanding, that we may know what is truth.â&#x20AC;? Review and Herald February 18, 1890

Available In Spanish

FLAME | Winter 2018

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Jesus, Our Shepherd

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