He most assuredly was bringing those who attended that fundraiser for The Dream Academy "the message that God desires them to hear". He wasn't selling new or used mules, he was faithfully using his God-given talent as a speaker and singer to bring the gospel to a group who wished to support his essential work to children of prisoners.
GrandmaNettie,
Thank you for noting that this was a fundraiser. Is that what God had in mind as a way to help people--to hold fundraisers for them on the Sabbath?
I had not wanted to really invoke the Spirit of Prophecy on this issue, due to the fact that many have little faith in it. But thanks GrandmaNettie for bringing her in! Her counsel is invaluable.
"When money is raised for religious purposes, to what means do many churches resort? To bazaars, suppers, fancy fairs, even to lotteries and like devices. Often the place set apart for God's worship is desecrated by feasting and drinking, buying, selling, and merrymaking. Respect for the house of God and reverence for His worship are lessened in the minds of the youth. The barriers of self-restraint are weakened. Selfishness, appetite, the love of display, are appealed to, and they strengthen as they are indulged.--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 91."
So, which way is it? God frowns upon selling things to raise money for religious purposes. So, if the Dream Academy is a "religious purpose", they are contravening the command of God. And, if it is not a religious purpose, then Dream Academy's purpose is secular, and there can't be any fund raising of it on the Sabbath because that would break the fourth commandment. NOBODY thinks that secular business should be done on the Sabbath. It's a tight corner you've put Elder Phipps into GrandmaNettie!
SDAminister:
"It's a tight corner you've put Elder Phipps into GrandmaNettie!"
I personally have no problem with your comments thusfar; however, let me encourage you along the path where I found my teaching assignments have paid greater dividends to my students and consequently to me personally.
The ability to teach a subject by supporting the theory being taught with positive practical application comes easier and retained for longer periods by the student. I was highly encouraged by one of the local universities to take a teaching assignment after a previous request. I had the opportunity to meet with one of my former students whose subsequent progress I may not have adequately monitored for instant recall. The student had to jog my memory, only slightly, when I queried what was his opinion of my teaching methods. He didn't delve into my teaching methods with his averment, "I am also both a licensed attorney and cpa just like you." I had many occasions to teach classes for employees, including group managers, where even group managers complimented on practical applications of the law.
I invited problems being experienced by other revenue agents needing some help. One of the good Andrews MDivs was in my large case group where he seemed to enjoy arguing religion more than tax laws which I could understand he really didn't appreciate since he wasn't able to get the benefits of the tax law pertaining to parsonages of clergy. He could bore you to tears with his second and third reiterations of theory rather just a few examples. That brother saw me strictly as an advesary where he never sought my help. Management kept their eyes on me for employee assistance and promotional recommendations. I had a number of opportunities for both which included a promotion recommendation of this good brother; however, I prefaced my recommendation as one of promotion to a less serious problem from a more serious. I was solicited by management to review workpapers of marginal agents where I explained to management that the agent spent more time explaining what they didn't find than what they did, not unusual.
It has been known to have some standing in line with their workpapers for help. Many thought they were auditing tax returns where I explained that auditing taxpayers around tax returns was more successful since I found very few numerical errors prepared from the books. I didn't waste my time making 100,000 copies for even the most complicated taxpayer with 107 corporations in a consoldiated Form 1120 where I finished a successful audit for a substantial agreed deficiency in much less than 9 months without any assistance and I learned a lot about the movie industry including drive-in theatres and commercial broadcasting.
I notice getting worddy can become boring so I'll end with teaching the blessings of the Sabbath does not include an example of a cross-country flight at 35,000' suffering from air-pockets, stormy weather, and cramped conditions no matter how long and well I could sing. Just heard of a local case of teen pregnancy where a very caring soul furnished academy tuition and mission trips in a family beset by the same. Did somebody drop the ball with teaching the examples of "The Father of the Faithful" and "The Man After God's Own Heart?"
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Topic: 3ABN Board Member Breaks Sabbath (Read 159467 times)
