Lakeport SDA
Lakeport, CA
“Because of His great Love for us . . .” (Ephesians 2:4)
It seems like such a small point to many, but it makes a tremendously significant difference when we begin to view God’s relation to us based on His love for us rather than how well we live up to whatever standard we imagine is His concern. (That’s a different subject but quite related.)
This weekend at Lakeport we spent four sessions looking at some new ideas that I have been looking at over the past twelve months. I’m convinced that many of us truly don’t understand what the simplest verse in all the Bible is saying to us: “God so loved the world that He gave . . .” (John 3:16)
God is good to us, not because we are good but because He is good. God is kind to us, not because we are kind, but because He is a kind person. God loves us, not because we are loving, but because God is love and love is just what love does.
This weekend held many new insights for those who attended and it is our privilege to share the first presentation as this month’s free sermon of the month from Renewed Heart Ministries. It’s my prayer that you will share in the blessing too.
“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45)
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Rochester SDA Church
Rochester, Minnesota (not New York)
I received an email about a week before I left for these meetings to make sure we had understood which “Rochester” I was headed to and Yep!, we were on our way to the wrong one. We quickly switched that ticket and breathed a sigh of relief that the mistake was caught early enough to fix. And we are all still laughing about it.
But, I must stay, although Rochester Minnesota is the home of the famous Mayo clinic (which is impressive to say the least), January is the coldest time to visit! I don’t think I’ve ever preached in 18 below temperatures, but a good time was had by all regardless. I will say, that the warmth Mother nature lacked was made up for and beyond by the loving spirit manifested by this Minnesota church. The weekend was comprised of four presentation on the gospel and then some lively discussions in between. I’ll share just a little of what the Pastor there (which I respect so highly) emailed me recently.
“I want to tell you that your presentations of the good news have impacted a number of members of the our church andit has been a blessing. We ordered 36 copies of your book and still have people asking about them as others tell them about it. May the Lord continue to use you to further the story of good news! Thanks for stepping out in trust to God to do this kind of much needed ministry.”
And to those who support us in doing this ministry, I want to personally thank YOU. We could not do it without you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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Southwest SDA Church
Orland Park, IL
I love it when Adventists begin to see and perceive the things we teach in light of the everlasting Gospel of our Heavenly Father’s character of Love. To actually see and perceive God’s love through the lens of some of our most unique doctrinal teachings is a truly remarkable experience. It’s also odd that I would say that about this series in particular, since it was an effort to share with the community rather than the church. And yes, the community did attend, but what struck me most about this series was the profound impact that it had on the members as well. This was a ten-day series that ended last weekend and was a product of the combined efforts between award-winning Christian songwriter and musician Michael Card and myself (doing the presentations). On a side note, I had never met Michael before and am not as familiar with his music as some others might be, but I can honestly say that it is a rarity that I meet someone who exhibits what I consider to be genuine Christianity. Michael is one of these people, a truly outstanding individual even outside of his remarkable gifts and talents. A Sabbatarian himself, we shared an excellent exchange following one of my presentations, and I was deeply blessed by the crossing of our paths for this one weekend in November. In regards to the church itself, keep the eyes focused on what is in our Heavenly Father’s heart for you. Not only will your understanding of our teaching take on a radically new light and dimension, but your entire life will as well. Thank you for the invitation to come and share. Both time and eternity will bear witness to the deep heart Awakenings that transpired.
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Auburn SDA Church
Auburn, CA
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.” Acts 13:46-48
It is always a privilege to give presentations for those who are from the communities surrounding our churches. They bring such fresh perspectives, and the dialogues are always very fulfilling to me. And Auburn this past fall was no exception, even down to the simple things. One lady came up to me and thanked me for wearing jeans, of all things. This was the first casual evangelistic series I’ve ever given, but we may see more of them, as the community responded a lot more warmly to the casual attire vs. the suits. I know church folk never like it when I say that, but corporate America has been humored long enough. (I am smiling as I write this.) Thank you, Auburn, for another truly great series. The blessings were mutual. May the relationships we built with those who attended during this week last for eternity.
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Central SDA Church
Oahu, HI
As many of you know already, my family does not enjoy traveling with me when I do a long series. But for some strange reason (wink, wink), last October they made an exception. I had been invited to conduct a weekend series in Oahu. For those who have been to any of the Hawaiian Islands, you well know I could go on and on describing their natural beauty. But honestly, what struck me most about the whole trip was the genuine and overwhelming kindness of the people we met in the church there. We are told, “The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian” (White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 470). Jesus himself said, “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13.35). Well, this church has it down! I was so impressed.
Four presentations were given and hearts were stirred as we moved in close to the heart of God. Many of us say the “correct” thing about God when in our hearts we are holding misunderstandings and misperceptions of His heart toward us. This weekend, lives were changed for time and for eternity as long-held misconceptions were dispelled by the truth of His character. Light shone in the darkness and heart-level healing took place.
Suffice it to say, as much as we loved the islands we visited, we loved the people there even more. I wish you God’s best, Oahu church. And thank you, sincerely, for the love that you have shown to us.
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Announcing a new book!
Finding the Father by Herb Montgomery
Finding the Father is a revolutionary new book like none other. As each page is traversed you will truly begin to experience the truth of our God's character of love, as it unfolds for you right before your heart. Within these pages Herb addresses topics ranging from the atonement, the "why" of human suffering, as well as misunderstandings regarding God's forgiveness and the final fate of the lost. Each subject is approached from a refreshingly practical perspective, making sense intellectually, but also moving you deeply at your heart level as well, making this volume truly like none before it. Discover a new God's love as you’ve rarely encountered it before. We feel deeply grateful to be able to offer this volume for your advancement in your own spiritual journey and know you will be genuinely blessed.
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Southwest SDA Church
Orland Park, IL
This was a series that we had to reschedule last year due to a scheduling conflict with multiple seminars that the ministry was juggling at that time. Orland Park has waited a long time for this, but it finally arrived. This weekend in September was a preparatory weekend gearing up for an exciting ten-day series we are doing in November at the local high school for the community. I cannot express how fulfilling it truly is to work with a church like this in reaching out to the community in the fashion that Jesus did as well. To meet people’s physical needs, right where they are, and then invite them to see God’s character of Love, many for the first time, through the lens of our Adventist core teachings. In just a little over a month, RHM will be back in this church, this time evangelistically. Please watch for it in our schedule and partner with us through prayer that God’s hands and heart may be loosed to do rich things in the lives of all who attend. It is our prayer that through this series, this little piece of the planet may once again be “lightened with His Glory” (Revelation 18:1).
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Orangevale SDA Church
Orangevale, CA
It is ten minutes into my flight on a Sunday morning and I have my MacBook open already. I cannot wait to share what took place this weekend. Over a year ago, we scheduled a preparatory weekend here at the Orangevale SDA church in the hope that it would lead to a longer to be presented to the community next spring. I walked into this weekend expecting it to be just that: A weekend spent getting the church on board for a series next year; but I was in for a surprise. I only gave three presentations, which is unusual as four is ordinarily the bare minimum. One of the three presentations was on the importance of seeing God correctly as the foundation of all we do. The second was about why bad things happen on this planet if God is good. Then, the final presentation was on Calvary. Each presentation produced a marked response from the congregation, but it was the last that evoked the most passionate reaction from my listeners. It is rare to see a congregation respond to Calvary to the degree that I did this weekend. Words cannot describe the wonderful awakening that took place in many hearts. Some shared that, although they had been Christians all their lives, they felt as if they had never truly seen God’s heart until this weekend. After such a heart-warming reaction, I can hardly wait to see what God will do at the Orangevale SDA church next spring, when we reach out into the community and lift high the cross. Keep Orangevale congregants in your prayers and, if you happen to be in the area next March, please do come along. I know you will be as blessed as we have been over the last two days. Thank you for the support that enables us to do what we do. Sincerely, thank you.
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Coquille SDA Church
Coquille, OR
Coquille is a small town near the coast of central Oregon with a population of a little over 4,000. When I arrived there, I honestly looked up in the sky and asked God, “How did I get all the way here from West Virginia?” Boy, was I in for a surprise. I was not expecting the enormous things that God was going to accomplish through four presentations during a short weekend in this small Oregon community. Visitors from all over the state arrived to take in the blessings that God would pour out, and pour them out He did. There truly is no greater life-changing force than the love that beats in the chest of our God for you and me. Through those presentations, many saw God as they never had before. Some testified that they were seeing His heart for the very first time. When the weekend ended, all who were present experienced the calm sensation that we had been in the presence of something far greater than ourselves and that we had encountered truth, both intellectually and with our hearts. God had come close and many attendees walked away as different people serving, worshiping, and loving a very different God. AMEN!
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West Coast Korean Camp Meeting
Pacific Union College; Angwin, CA
I woke up this morning in a dorm room once again, asking God what He had in store for this week. This was the second Korean Camp meeting I had ever addressed. I was the evening speaker for the young adults. This was important because, although I would speak through a translator, it was always a privilege not to have to. I was not quite sure what God was going to do this week, but wow! Was I in for a surprise. Each evening, hearts stirred as people encountered God as they never had before. Each night, we looked carefully at our common assumptions about the characteristics that we felt God possessed, compared to what the scriptures actually teach. The theme for the week was Restoration, and at the heart of every restoration was the restoring of the truth about the character of our God. For if we can just see Him, to know Him is to love Him. And if we truly love Him, everything else will fall into place. This week was no exception. Miracles took place in the hearts of those who attended, as we all came face to face and heart to heart with the great Lover of the universe. Truly, with meaning and passion, with our hearts burning in our chests, we could say, “Our God really is love.”
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Wells Fargo Center for Performing Arts
Santa Rosa, CA
Rather than just let Northern California’s Redwood Adults 2 fall by the wayside this summer, those involved decided they would take it all as a simple opportunity to do EVANGELISM.
In conjunction with the Santa Rosa SDA church, the Mosaic Worship Band and Renewed Heart Ministries came together for one week of music, practical presentations, and real honest-to-goodness, rubber-meets-the-road help for those in Santa Rosa and the surrounding community. Finding Hope in Troubled Times was the theme.
Truly, there is nothing more fulfilling than reaching out to people’s felt needs and then, with gratitude freshly erupting in their hearts, drawing them in even further and showing them the love of the Father. Isn’t that the way Jesus taught us to do it?
During Finding Hope in Troubled Times, we covered the first five or six presentations of our Life Unlimited series, which seeks to reach today’s post-modern world with the intrinsic value of having a correct picture of God. If you have not taken in this series yet, I would encourage you to either listen to or watch this series on our Web site at www.renewedheartministries.com.
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Novato SDA Church
Novato, CA
Wow!!! I was not expecting the blessing I received this weekend. I’m sitting right now behind a desk in my hotel room in Novato, just completely feeling overwhelmed from what has taken place in the last 24 hours here. Such a WARM church, the pastor and his wife, especially (thank you guys, if you’re reading this!). This weekend, I gave four of the six presentations from our “The Awakening” series. And I never cease to be amazed at the heart-level miracles that take place in people’s hearts when the truth about God and His character of love truly are encountered. This was a weekend that will be remembered for sure. Thank you, Novato, for the invitation to come and share! For the rest of you, we are releasing “The Awakening” on our sermons download page this month. It is an updated version of our older seminar “Light in the Darkness” but with many new insights. May it truly bless your heart, no matter where you may be on your journey of discovering this Being the Bible names as Love.
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Alberta Camp Meeting
Alberta, CA
I went into this series with only two hours of sleep under my belt and that was from an economy seat, compliments of United Airlines. (Matter of fact, the front page article of this newsletter was written the morning I landed.) Upon my arrival, I was blessed to be greeted by the Canadian cultural diversity I fell in love with years ago. What I appreciate about Canada is just that: its diversity. It's not dripping with Hollywood’s influence--well, at least not the section of Alberta I was in--but, socially, the perspectives of Canadians remind me much of the social headspace of many Europeans, and that is a good thing. Very warm, very friendly. And loads of fun.
Starting the very first night (the first of eleven presentations), we embarked on a journey of discovery. It was my intention for this week to begin with a look at the character of our Heavenly Father. The scripture theme for the week was, very simply, “God is love” (I John 4:8). We began by defining love: its nature, its essence. Then, the rest of our journey took place in three stages.
We first looked at what it takes to have the courage to really believe that God is that very love we had just defined. Second, we compared that picture of God and His character to the many unknowingly held misconceptions we all have about the Gospel (this was truly a healing encounter for many). Finally, we then looked at our central “pillar” beliefs as Adventists and began to see them in the light of this newfound picture of God.
WOW! What a truly enriching week! Many lives were touched and hearts changed. Deep misconceptions about God were turned around. Incorrect pictures of Him and what He is truly like were corrected. And people were set free--from the inside out--in their hearts. Never before had meetings been attended as the presentations were each night. We kept running out of handouts and chairs, and people would line the outside, trying to find a place where they could just stand and listen. Truly, God was at work, and much deep, heart-level healing resulted.
The statement God gave me at the beginning of this week (not for the people, but for me personally), as I was going into these meetings, was:“Christ came to this world to reveal the love of God. His followers are to continue the work which He began. Let us strive to help and strengthen one another. Seeking the good of others is the way in which true happiness can be found. Man does not work against his own interest by loving God and his fellow men . . . The more unselfish his spirit, the happier he is, because he is fulfilling God's purpose for him. The breath of God is breathed through him, filling him with gladness. To him life is a sacred trust, precious in his sight, given by God to be spent in ministering to others”
(E. G. White, R. & H., June 25, 1908). To live the life of love (Ephesians 5:2), to consider it more blessed to give than receive (Acts 20:35), to spend and be spent...God was whispering to me, “Give all you have to give this week, Herb, and watch what I can do, when you simply let me breathe through you.” And, truly, lives were changed--for eternity.
For those of you who chose to support Renewed Heart Ministries in our aim of finishing the work of revealing the character of God to this darkened planet, I want to say, “thank you.” This week in Canada proved to me once again why we all sacrifice to do what we do. Thank you.
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Fairfield Adventist Church
Fairfield, CA
I have a clear recollection of the day I received the phone call inviting me to lead a weekend seminar series at this church. The pastor, a good friend of mine, expressed the desire for his congregation to draw on the Adventist vision of God in a manner that would allow them to not only experience God’s Love themselves, but also to become conduits for His Love, channeling it to those around them. I accepted my friend’s invitation and we immediately began to outline a schedule. We decided to begin with a weekend of presentations for church members, and then to follow up with a longer series for the larger community a few months later (this community series will begin next April).
During my first visit to Fairfield Adventist Church, I gave a presentation aimed at encouraging those present to reflect on their understanding of God. I reminded the congregation that Christianity is not all about assessing our behavior (and certainly not the behavior of others). Our spiritual development is also dependent on our grasp of the True Nature of God. It is only by love that love is awakened; how can we ever grow in the direction of God’s Perfection if we have never truly seen this manifested in everything that He is? The experience of understanding in one’s heart what He truly is has such a deeply profound effect that one is transformed into God’s likeness.
As I delivered this presentation, I became aware of one of the dear saints in the room. He had been sitting across the sanctuary, it seemed, and he now stood up and came over to our gathering in order to correct some inappropriate behavior by a visitor that he felt needed to be addressed that night. Occurrences such as this take place in all of our churches more often than we would like to admit. I then heard God lovingly whisper to me.
“Do you see that, Herb?” He asked, “That is what you and I are going to be working on together this weekend. Are you with Me?” I smiled at Him as I replied, “Yes, Lord, I’m in!”
Over the course of the next few presentations, the group and I looked at our different perceptions of God’s Character in the context of human suffering, sin, forgiveness and salvation. The final discussion in the series was an unexpectedly memorable conclusion to our exploration of God’s Being, which took the form of an amazingly intense encounter with the true Nature of God that we had been talking about. This took place as we all looked together at the Cross.
Following this, there were some truly wonderful testimonies at the end of the weekend. Many approached me afterward, expressing deep repentance both because they had formerly seen God incorrectly and because they had communicated this false depiction of our Heavenly Father through their behavior towards others.
Reflecting back on the weekend, what stands out in my mind the most is the speech given by my pastor friend at the end. With tears in his eyes, he told us that he wanted to more deeply see and be like the God he had experienced in our sessions..My friend went on to say, that this was the picture of God that he wants his church to share with the wider community. I was deeply moved by his words and wish that you, dear reader, could have been among this congregation to witness the power of God’s Transforming Grace this weekend. When I got into my rental car afterward, I sat for a moment before beginning my drive home and whispered to God, “Yeah God, I’m with ya! I’m in! Where next?”
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Greenville SDA Church
Greenville, SC
OH, IS IT GOOD TO BE BACK IN THE SOUTH! I spent half a decade in the Carolinas as a kid growing up. They were some of the best years of my childhood. And, it always feels good to get to go back. This week was no exception. A few years ago, when I gave a presentation at the Sacramento Central Church in Sacramento, CA, (obviously) there was young man visiting from none other than South Carolina. Well, over the years, we have kept in touch, sporadically, but one thing led to another, and there I was in his church this June in Greenville.
I first have to say how much I truly appreciate the genuine, generous kindness I witnessed among this congregation. Truly, God is moving. But, what stood out most was the passion this church is currently experiencing in its attempts to know God in a deeply fulfilling way. For months, they have spent time each week in their prayer meetings praying that God would somehow reveal Himself to them in a mighty way and that they would come to know Him as He really is. I had not been aware of this before I arrived. But, after the first two presentations, the pastor stood up and shared the fact that he could see, in a marked way, God’s hand in what was occurring that weekend. He said that my being there made for not just an enriching weekend, but that it was a direct answer to the prayers they had been making for months to know God in His truth. Many folks that weekend were encountering the truth about God’s character of love as never before. God’s grace was making a marked difference, and lies long held, even in ignorance, were giving way to the light of truth regarding who and what type of a being God is.
I also met a good many of my peers that weekend, which is encouraging, to say the least. It is good to see people of my age, my generation, in our congregations again.
I am going to be sharing some thoughts from that weekend in the upcoming E-sights, so be on the look-out. I will include some very applicable thoughts based on the presentation Intrinsic or Imposed (which can be downloaded for free on the Sermons page).
Our identity as a people is truly not in what we eat, what we wear, or on what day we go to church (although all those things, yes, are important and involved), but rather, our identity as a people, as a denomination, as a movement is based on our understanding of the character of our God, our definition of His other-centered, unconditional, indiscriminant, self-abandoning, non-condemning love and it involves the courage to believe that God truly is this kind of love. Above all else, our identity, both individually and collectively, is centered on the fact that we are passionately loved. We are loved by the great Lover of the Universe.
I look forward to sharing more thoughts on all of this in the upcoming weeks.
Thank you, Greenville. You were not the only one who received a rich blessing. I too was supremely blessed by being able to come to your church and pray with you.
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Iowa-Missouri Camp Meeting
Centralia, MO
This was my second summer to speak at the camp meeting held at Sunnydale Academy in Centralia, MO. Both times I have experienced a wonderful moving of God’s grace among our members as—in each presentation—we penetrate deeper into our understanding of God’s heart of infinite love. I was also able to get an update on our long-awaited book, Finding The Father (Seeing God for Who He Really Is), which we have learned is scheduled for release by the Review and Herald on December 15th of this year. I am truly convicted that the concepts found in the pages of this manuscript are timely and extremely relevant to our conception of the type of character we believe our God to have during these closing moments of earth’s history. It need not be mentioned, then, how excited we here at RHM are to see this manuscript being published.
At the camp meeting this summer, I conducted two series of daily presentations—one mid-morning and the other in the evening—both series concluding Sabbath morning by revisiting the clearest revelation of the character of God that, I believe, has ever been given to this planet—The Cross. We looked at how our understanding of Calvary will shape our understanding of God. If we incorrectly understand Calvary, we will see God as a vengeful, blood-thirsty tyrant who needs to be appeased. This false understanding only leaves us in great fear and moves us into a shallower and ever-dwindling decrepit excuse of a relationship with Him. If rightly understood, however, Calvary becomes as the morning dawn in our hearts, dispelling the darkness of lies long held about God, and ushering us into an incredibly dynamic, intimate, and fulfilling relationship with a being who desires to be more than simply our Lord, but also the Lover of our souls.
It is our desire here at Renewed Heart Ministries to release the key presentations from this week as “sermons of the month” over the next few months, with the hope that what many encountered during this short week may bring true renewal to the hearts of all those who enable this ministry to do what it does. May the truth of our God once again light this globe with His Glory!
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The Revealing
Penn Valley SDA Church
If there’s one thing about Prophecy I can’t stand, it’s the tendency some of us have to use it like spiritual caffeine. The books of Daniel and Revelation can be used in a very spiritually destructive manner. They can be used to motivate and create a level of religious excitement that, once it’s worn off, leaves us more spiritually lethargic than we started. And the withdrawals are worse than a spiritual hangover.
I do believe the books of Daniel and Revelation have a divinely desired purpose, though. Not to get us all worked up with “end time” excitement, but rather to accomplish something much deeper.
“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.”— 2 Peter 1:19
Prophecy is for the purpose of enabling light (the truth regarding God’s character, 2 Corinthians 4:6) to illuminate the darkness (believed lies about God’s character) in our hearts, by pointing us to Jesus and allowing Him to function in our hearts, much the same way the sun, at dawn, dispels the darkness of the night. Prophecy points us to Jesus, and Jesus reveals to us the truth about the Father, which radically transforms our lives from the inside out. It’s a much more spiritually healthy process than merely sparking curiosity about the latest end time conspiracy theory.
It is with the aim of allowing the books of Daniel and Revelation to show us the character of the Father, as the final climax of the age-long controversy which began in heaven and has ensued ever since, that Renewed Heart Ministries is presenting its new series on prophecy (The Revealing).
This May it was my privilege to share four presentations from this series in the Penn Valley church. Jesus said quite clearly, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself” (John 12.32). Surely we experienced this in a very marked way this long weekend as we looked, honestly and openly, at the book of Revelation and the message it has been proclaiming throughout the centuries.
Truly Jesus is about to return, but it’s not simply this that Revelation shares. It is the beauty of a God whose character is about to be revealed as never before, whose Glory is about to once again “lighten the earth” (Revelation 18:1) as the last message of mercy to a dying world.
“The shortness of time is frequently urged as an incentive for seeking righteousness and making Christ our friend. This should not be the great motive with us; for it savors of selfishness. Is it necessary that the terrors of the day of God should be held before us, that we may be compelled to right action through fear? It ought not to be so. Jesus is attractive. He is full of love, mercy, and compassion. He proposes to be our friend, to walk with us through all the rough pathways of life” (White, Bible Echo, June 25, 1894 par. 7).
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Shasta Lake Bible Fellowship
Redding, CA
I encountered an amazing experience this past weekend, which I spent with the members of the Shasta Lake Bible Fellowship. Their story is amazing. This group of laypeople own a facility whose construction was accomplished through a string of miracles. When the last nail was driven, they had fully paid for the building. But what makes this group special is that its congregation is not small. About 75% of its regular attendance is comprised of non-members from the community who, even though they are not members, feel a strong sense of belonging. This is a “fellowship,” and although Bible studies continue as folks transition into membership, all are welcome and all belong; this is their fellowship. You feel a strong sense of love, warmth, and acceptance the moment you walk in the door, and this sense presents a stronger welcome than the specific greetings from individuals. It is the result of a combination of things, a synergy in which the sum of the parts far outweighs the individual contributions. In a word, it’s love, in action.
We covered four topics that are foundational for Renewed Heart Ministries. These topics examine issues that every person needs to understand about the Gospel in these closing moments of earth’s history. The first topic is the importance of our focus on understanding His character rather than our behavioral or intellectual achievements. The second topic addresses why bad things happen to people if God loves them. The third topic is the intrinsic nature of reality, in contrast to the religiously imposed paradigm through which most Christians relate to God. The fourth topic explores the Cross, including what it says to us about the definition of love and whether we have the courage to believe that the God of the universe truly is that type of love.
It was a powerful weekend, filled with many life-changing encounters with the divine heart, which many have not yet seen. Testimonies continue to pour in about the incredible miracles that God has accomplished for this fellowship. Praise be to His extravagant love, His amazing grace, and the intimate friendship that He has given to us all.
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Lakeport SDA Church
Lakeport, CA
Ten days on the water. Sounds like vacation to most, but for RHM, it was another opportunity to reach out to a community around one of our local churches. I received an invitation to come and hold an evangelistic series, but it was made quite clear that this little church was not looking for something traditional. I thought, “No problem! You’ve contacted the right ministry.” Little did I know the blessings that would follow. To date, this is the largest attended series we have held as a ministry. The returns on our marketing and advertising were far above average. It was as if God was moving in this little community, things were ripe, and it was time to do something.
I met many precious people from this little town. One such person was a dear little lady who ran the local public broadcast radio station. We did an hour-long interview on the radio about the series, who and what God really is, and the dynamics of the spiritual journey of discovering God that we are all on, whether we recognize it or not.
Night after night, the attendance grew until that last Saturday morning, when the congregation was more than quadruple its regular attendance. Many encountered God and the love He has for them for the very first time. Others experienced it in a way that they never had before. God’s heart was seen and lives were changed.
Please keep this little church in your prayers as the endeavor to follow up the work that God has begun in this small lakeside community.
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Elgin, Oregon
I though I'd share with you what one of the members from Elgin, OR wrote about the meetings.
ONLY SIX MONTHS! Not much time to get our town prepared for Herb's “Life Unlimited” series, but we were ready for the challenge. You see, this was to be a reaping celebration for the members of our church.
About five years ago, a couple of church members, Dale and Diane, had seen a need in the addict community for a recovery program that focused on Jesus, one that would let them become both sober AND free from their addiction. We revised the standard 12-step program, added Jesus at the core, gave it the name Underground Oasis, and off we went. Over the past five years we have seen many folks become free of their addictions, regain custody of their children, and reconnect with their own families/parents. Many of these same folks also had negative experiences going to various churches and expressed a desire that Oasis have a church service… so we created “Simple Church” in our home on Friday nights for those folks and others who would not be comfortable in a typical church setting. We had been holding meetings for several months before Herb got here with attendance running between 12-18 people. Another member uses her business as a massage therapist to reach people in the community, inviting friends to come… In short, we were preparing the field for Herb.
The church rented the largest hall in our town of 1,710 folks, prayed and held our breath. Wow! We had some 160 visitors, and they came night after night. On the night we passed around a sign-up sheet for further studies, we were literally blown away by the number of people who signed up. We spent quite some time as a group that night trying to figure out how to accommodate everyone on the list. Dale and Diane's house could never hold that many people, so Kenna and Corey opened up their home to another Simple Church group that currently meets on Wednesday nights.
Each group is hosting 14-20 people (out poor pastor is kept running!) and more are contacting us, wanting to come. The result is that walls are being torn down to create more room in both homes! Simple Church is generating so much enthusiasm from its members that others are wanting to experience it also. So Herb, see what you've started?
What is Simple Church? Our two groups have different formats. Ours starts at 7 p.m. on Fridays with potluck finger foods and visiting; next, we spend 30 minutes on so letting people talk about problems they or their friends have, and we do individual prayer for those people; next, we do a 60-minute Bible study and end by finishing our treats and building relationships/chatting. The other group uses Herb's “Life Unlimited” DVDs with food and prayer needs before and discussion after the presentation, all the while building relationships and friendships.
So can you do Simple Church after Herb leaves? Of course you can! And you can tailor it to fit the people in your own community. Just remember, the recipe is Jesus, food, friendship, caring, and study. Add it up and see what YOU come up with.
With love in Christ,
Diane and Dale Johnston
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Pine Hills Academy
Auburn, CA
Very rarely do I run into a group of young people as “with it” as those in this student body. Many remarked what a blessing our studies were during this week, but I can honestly say, the blessing was largely mine. I had the privilege of speaking to all grades, from kindergarten through senior in high school. And a wide spectrum of participants that is!
During our time together for this Academy’s spring week-of-prayer, we explored some very heavy subjects, as well as the questions that always surface regarding those subjects and the puzzling harmony of reconciling common conclusions with the character of a God who is Love. We didn’t settle for pat answers. We kept searching. And what amazed me was not just the students’ ability to think deeply, but also their capacity for maintaining focus long enough to come up with some truly original and creative thoughts on the subjects.
One afternoon, after the formal presentation itself was over, we spent about half an hour in a circle discussing the challenge of reconciling the seemingly arbitrary nature of divine intervention in human suffering. And as emotionally charged as that discussion was, we experienced new insights and were all moved deeply at how truly loving our God really is.
The week ended for many with a powerful encounter with the cross. Decisions were made for both time and eternity. And many saw God’s heart, not just for the first time, but also at deeper level than ever before. Praise be to Him who did not count heaven itself a place to be desired while we were left outside.
I will be heading back to this Academy next spring for graduation as well. Please keep these students in your prayers. God is doing great things at Pine Hills Adventist Academy.
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New Sermon of the Month Section on the Sermons Page!
In response to popular demand, you can now access past Sermons of the Month on the Sermons/Downloads Page.
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Visalia SDA Church
Visalia, CA
Very rarely am I as impressed with a church as I was with this one. What impressed me so much was the rich cultural diversity I found in the Visalia Seventh-day Adventist church. This is a bi-lingual church and the members pull it off beautifully.
I spent a week in Visalia, California, giving seven presentations. Night after night found us penetrating deeper into the matchless grace of a God whom I’m convinced has been misunderstood by and misrepresented to the masses. We began with the vital importance of having an accurate Biblical understanding of God and His character of Love. We then moved on to learn how to harmonize the Bible’s claim that God is love with the immense amount of continuous suffering and what appears to be arbitrary intervention and help from the Divine. Next, we compared all we had looked at with the Cross of Calvary, which I consider still to be the clearest revelation of the type of being our God truly is, ever to be shown to the universe. We closed the week with Paul’s words to the Believers in Ephesus, to be imitators of God and live the life of love (Ephesians 5:1).
What made these presentations an additional blessing was the high quality of translation into Spanish with which these presentations were given. These presentations were also recorded and may very well be Renewed Heart Ministries’ first materials available in Spanish. Keep an eye out for these in the near future.
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Good News Tour 2009
Vancouver, Canada
On March 20 and 21 of this year, I was privileged to be a part, once again, of another Good News Tour. I truly love the people who organize this event each year. They are some of the most remarkable people I have met so far in my travels. One such person I was privileged to meet this time was Dr. Gregory Boyd, pastor of the Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minnesota and professor at Bethel University.
Greg presented three talks during the weekend: his own journey out of atheism into faith, the reasons behind his belief in the historical validity of the Gospels, and the clearest and most moving presentation I have ever witnessed on what it truly means to be a follower of Christ.
There was one phrase that, seven days later, I still have echoing over and over in my head:
“Above all . . . LOVE!” (1 Peter 4:8)
That means above everything. Above all else.
Paul put it this way:
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
Especially in the area of religion, we are too often overly concerned about being right, rather than being Godly. God is Love (1 John 4:8). This is the truest “mark” by which to know that we really are following the truth: “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Jesus himself also said to the Pharisees of His day, “If God were your Father, you would love . . .” (John 8:42). John the beloved wrote, “Let us love one another . . . everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).
I’d like to share the opening passage from the Message Bible as well:
“Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and He’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!” (1 Peter 4:7-11, The Message)
How, then, is this love to be found in us? Only by love is love awakened. We only love “because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Is it the mandate to “above all” love something that you find your own heart gravitating toward? Then I lift up to you the greatest revelation of love ever manifested before human eyes—the cross of Christ. When His sacrifice is truly understood in the hearts of those who claim to be His followers, then His love, in our treatment of all with whom we come into contact, will be manifested among His followers as well.
The end of all things is at hand! May we not only grasp the love that’s in God’s heart toward us, but may we also, ABOVE ALL . . . Love!
Also, I thought I would include for you what Greg himself wrote; being a Baptist Pastor, his experience was preaching the Gospel alongside Seventh-day Adventist brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray you’ll find it as inspiring as I did.
The Good News Tour
March 24th, 2009
This last weekend I was in Vancouver, Canada participating in The Good News Tour. This is a traveling conference that celebrates, proclaims and defends the beautiful character of God as revealed in Jesus Christ. Some of you might recall the controversial poster I talked a lot about last year which depicts Jesus washing the feet of world leaders, including Osama Bin Ladin. The poster was created by Lars Justinen, and The Good News Tour is the ministry that sponsored it. (You can view and purchase the poster here. Incidentally, I feature the poster in chapter 7 of my new book, The Myth of a Christian Religion, which will be available in a couple of weeks).
Anyway, I had an absolute blast at this conference. The folks who sponsor The Good News Tour really get – I mean really get – the unfathomable beauty of God’s love. It’s the central passion of their life and it permeates the very fabric of their being. I’ve rarely heard the magnificence of God’s perfect love presented so profoundly. It’s always refreshing to be around folks like this.
I had fun presenting three messages focusing on Jesus as the definitive revelation of God and how replicating Christ’s self-sacrificial love is the distinguishing mark of a Jesus-follower. But I was especially blessed by the passionate and insightful messages delivered by others.
Brad Cole gave an outstanding talk entitled “Scary God or Scary People?” which attempted to reconcile the God of the Old Testament with the God revealed in Jesus. It was one of the most insightful explorations of this topic I’ve ever heard. Herb Montgomery, founder of Renewed Heart Ministries, gave several passionate talks on the character of God and how to reconcile God’s love with the problem of evil. This young man has a remarkable ability to communicate very complex concepts in a clear and compelling way. For example, he presented the complex variable theodicy I spend several hundred pages developing in Satan and the Problem of Evil in a five-minute illustration, and it landed! I was blown away. And Marco Belmonte, founder of Heavenly Sanctuary, which sponsors The Good News Tour, gave a passionate (and sometimes hilarious) testimony about how the revelation of God’s love transformed this former drug addict into a passionate disciple of Jesus. The entire conference was shrouded in God’s love and I was honored to be a part of it.
One last word: I have to confess that I have always tended to associate Seventh- day Adventists with legalism. Well, I hereby publicly repent of this assumption. Each of the presenters in this conference, along with the church that sponsored it (and the wonderful pastor of this church, Manuel Silva) are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and believe me, these folks are as free of legalism as anyone could possibly be! In fact, one of the objectives of The Good News Tour is to bring the Good News of God’s transforming love to Seventh-day Adventists and everyone else who may be entrapped in legalism.
This just goes to show how dumb our labels and stereotypes are.
I’d like to thank Brad Cole and The Good News Tour for inviting me to be part of the Vancouver conference and for blessing my sox off this weekend.
Peace,
Greg
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You Didn’t Choose Me! I Chose YOU!
Lewisburg, WV
Last October, I was blessed with the privilege of conducting a series of evangelistic meetings right here in my hometown of Lewisburg, WV. And, to be quite honest, I had not put together the fact that because these meetings were being held locally, my daughter would be attending each night. Well, I’ve always tried to demonstrate to her what I feel is a true picture of what God really feels for her; I’m pleased to say it came together for her during this series. She caught it! I watched as her heart reached out toward a Love that was reaching out to her, and what a beautiful sight it was. I mean, it would be beautiful to watch it happen to anyone, but, this time, it was my oldest daughter. She came to me one night after the meeting had ended, and asked if, even though she was my daughter and these meetings were for the public, whether she could be baptized.
I’ve never believed in pushing kids. I’ve always figured that, when the love of Jesus touches their heart, they’ll make the decision all on their own, naturally. But I was truly unprepared for what happened in my heart as I realized how deeply she was encountering God’s love for her. This was my own daughter!
To make a long story short, it was my distinct privilege, last month (December 2008), to baptize my own daughter. Words cannot express what if feels like to baptize your own child.
The morning before she was baptized, while taking a few moments with God about what was about to happen, He reminded me of the words He gave us in the gospel of John: “You did not choose Me but I chose you” (John 15.16). At that moment, I realized that I had been so excited about the decision my daughter was making, but God wanted me to see something deeper. The decision had really been made, not by Alexis, but by God himself! He had chosen my Ally! It was simply His love for her that I was watching her respond to. I cannot express the love I felt toward my Savior at that moment. For He not only loved me, He loved one of the most precious people in the world to me . . . my eldest daughter.
That day, as we were in the water, I reminded her of how she spent the first night of her life curled up on my chest as we both just lay there and slept. A special bond was created that night between her and me, and although I would love to be baptizing her today, there was Someone Who wanted to do it even more than I did, Who loved her more than I possibly ever could. I explained to her what it meant to do something in someone else’s name. It means, it’s not really you doing it, but them. You’re doing it for others, and they get the credit! And that today, it was because of God’s great love for her that it was my pleasure and privilege to baptize her in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. This day was about their love for her and how she had felt it and simply wanted to love Them all back. Tears were in our eyes. Before I knew it, both of our faces were wet. We had been immersed, cleansed, and reborn in the extravagant love of our God.
What a way to end a year of ministry! With the baptism of your first-born child. That is a memory time will not erase. Thank you, you who are reading this newsletter, for making the work we do at Renewed Heart Ministries possible. It is a sheer pleasure to be partnered with you in enlightening this world, both those that are far off and those as close as our own children, with the revelation of His character of love.
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EVANGELISM! EVANGELISM! EVANGELISM!
If 2008 was the year of new beginnings, 2009 seems to be the year of EVANGELISM!
This year is off with a BANG as each month I find myself doing at least one ten-day evangelistic series in a new location. In January, we began with a quick weekend at Pleasant Hill, CA, and then quickly transitioned into our first evangelistic series of the year, which was held in Carson City, NV. Let me share briefly about both.
Pleasant Hill, CA
First, let me say that I have been blessed each time I have visited this church. This visit was no exception. But what struck me was the level of honesty and transparency I found among the members. Too many times we preach that God loves us and meets us right where we are, but then as Christians we give off an almost imperceptible vibe that although God accepts you right where you are, we, as Christians, do not. This produces a subtle negative environment in our churches that at times makes newcomers or the un-churched very uncomfortable. It also produces an environment in which members put on a good face, put their best foot forward each week, but never dare to be truly honest, instead feeling pressured to “look” and “behave” well whether they are experiencing true spiritual health or not.
This was not the environment I found at Pleasant Hill. The weekend was dedicated to being honest about where we are spiritually as families within the church and how to make spirituality as a family more practical and relevant within the time demands of our current culture. I was able to share a correct view from the Gosple of our Heavenly Papa, which is the foundation of our families' spiritual health here, and some key insights into what I believe the Sabbath, in light of the Gospel, was meant to be like, especially for our kids.
Once again, I never once heard anyone “should” on anyone else. (Thanks, Kitty. If you're reading this, I love it!) That simply means that no one pretended to have it all together going around telling anyone else what they “should” ne doing. Rather, I sensed an extreme amount of honesty and a dedicated amount of support as a church to help each other, accept each other, with no condemning, but honestly facing where we are and pulling together as a whole to be what God has called us to be and live the life of Love.
It truly was a blessed weekend!
Three days later, I found myself beginning an Evangelistic series, as I said above, in Carson City, NV.
Carson City, NV
The only word that I can think of that best describes the experience I had at this church is WOW! This was such a warm church! Members were so friendly to those from the community who were visiting for the series. So welcoming, so accepting! And real!
We had a great turnout from the community, and each night we were truly blessed as we penetrated deeper and deeper into the heart of our Heavenly Father, what He feals toward us, and how He is calling us to live the life of Love. Life Unlimited!
God's grace was amazingly felt by all during the ten days of this truly life-changing series for the many who attended.
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Review and Herald Publishing Association
Hagerstown, MD
Each fall the Review and Herald Publishing Association holds a week of spiritual emphasis for its employees. This year I had the privilege of being asked to be their speaker. Each morning, we penetrated deeper and deeper into the heart of God, and our time was well rewarded. Many hearts encountered new and fresh awakenings toward Him as they felt His love more deeply than ever before. I am also happy to announce the Renewed Heart Ministries is working hand in hand now with the Review and Herald and we are on track to release in printed form the concepts regarding God’s character of love that have enriched so many of you who have been blessed by God through our ministry. The goal is to have this released by early 2010 in time for the next General Conference session. Please keep this project in your prayers.
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The Revealing!
A new summary series of the book of Revelation is now available online for a free download! Take advantage of this exciting new free series that penetrates a very puzzling book that proves to be a beautiful window into the heart of a God the scriptures define as Love. Watch the dramatic unveiling of His character unfold as the climactic end of an age-long universal conflict regarding the truth about what type of a being God truly is—The Revealing!
(Not available on CD. Free online download only at http://www.renewedheartministries.com/sermons.asp.)
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Life Unlimited Now on DVD!
Have you ever wanted more out of life? This seminar can help! Discover how Seventh-Day Adventist teachings can help folks from our community experience emotional healing, health and fitness, spiritual fulfillment, mental development, and financial freedom! Life Unlimited is a seventeen-presentation, ten-day seminar that begins with the importance of having a correct picture of God.
This new, long-awaited, 9-DVD, 17-presentation series is available online at: www.renewedheartministries.com/store/
Order your set today at the special introductory price:
Normal Retail price: $99.99
Special Introductory price: $84.99
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El Dorado Hills Adventist School
Each year, my last series of the year holds special meaning. This year I was given the gift of being able to do my last set of meetings with a group I love to present to—today’s generation. I will admit that kindergarten through eighth grade was fun! But the healing that the message of God’s love did among the high school students was truly amazing to behold. Each day I watched as students began to see God as He really is. I watched as God’s love undid the work of the enemy, corrected so many misunderstandings, and truly changed some very wrong pictures of God held in the hearts of very special young people. I could not have asked for 2008 to have ended with any better experience. I was blessed to be a part of this week, as much if not more than they were. I walked away truly in awe of how stunning our God really is if we can just see His heart.
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Durant SDA Church
Durant, OK
If you read this newsletter regularly, you will recognize this little church. This time we spent four sessions together looking at the victorious climax revealed in the pages of the book of Revelation concerning the conflict that has ensued over the ages about God’s character and His love. Never have I felt a stronger burden when presenting the message of the book of Revelation as I have during this time in our world’s climate. Not because Revelation lines out what this world is about to do, but rather what God is about to do is to reveal who and what He is, through us! These are exciting times to be alive, and God’s glory is once again about to “lighten the earth” in human flesh. (Revelation 18:1)
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The Awakening
Grand Prairie, TX
I love Brazilian Adventists! (Well, I love all people, but I really love Brazilian Adventists.) This weekend too was not only filled with amazing food, but what a feast was had by all as we looked at the character of God as revealed in the life of Christ. In each presentation we compared what Jesus taught about who and what God is with what is commonly believed about God both within and outside of the church. God’s spirit was present in a manifest way; hearts were transformed, and lives were changed. Keep an eye out for a much larger series in the future in this church as we take some of the concepts presented this weekend and endeavor to reach out to the community around this little church with the heart of God as revealed “in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
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The Awakening
Mississauga, OT
Oh, Canada!!! This was billed as a family life retreat weekend for this little church in Mississauga, but we encountered a whole lot more. With each presentation, we moved further and further into the heart of God, and what we encountered in these four presentations was beyond description. Truly by love is love awakened, and many walked away from this experience forever changed by their new perceptions of God’s character as well as their fresh encounter with His love for them. Praise Him for His boundless mercy!
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Life Unlimited
Lewisburg, WV
This was also an amazing series of meetings, which held many firsts. This series was the first I have ever given in the town where I grew up. (That’s both good and bad, by the way.) But God’s blessings were witnessed nonetheless. Many, who had been “prayed for” for a number of years attended our little church here for the first time. In addition, my father was able to attend one of my presentations for the very first time, and I was so happy to have him there. And my eldest daughter made a decision for Jesus, a decision to accept God’s choice of her and give her life to Him in baptism. This series, by far, was the most precious to me in 2008.
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The Revealing
Summersville, WV
I was so excited to be giving this series of presentations. A few years ago I gave this series twice and both times the recordings did not turn out. Words cannot express how happy we are to be able to offer these ten presentations on the book of Revelation. And although these ten are summary thoughts on the purpose of this book, I believe that it will be the beginning of a heartfelt approach to Bible prophecy rather than the intellectual approach we have grown accustomed to that has very little long-lasting effects on a person’s relationship with God. Summersville reported the largest turnout to a series of meetings ever in the history of the church. We were so thankful to see God moving in the hearts and lives of those who attended.
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Good News Tour: Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA
“ . . . Love is the very flame of the Lord.” -Song of Solomon 8:6, 7
“If God is love, then why is He going to torch us if we don’t love Him back?” That, my friend, is a good question, and one that many are asking today. I was recently asked to address this question, as well as the common teaching of eternal torment, at a convention held in Loma Linda, CA for the purpose of pursuing a better understanding of God’s character of love. I would encourage you to watch this presentation for yourself on our website entitled Love’s Eternal Flame.
Next to the questions surrounding human suffering, the questions surrounding the topic of Hell have kept, and continue to keep, many at bay. Most hearts will not turn toward the type of God described by most presentations of Hell. God is not trying to scare people into following Him. Neither compulsion, manipulation, nor control are His agents. He is ever drawing humanity to see His love in hope that this might awaken love in them. Whether someone follows Him or not, God is ever bestowing life and light upon a persons darkened path, hoping to win them in their heart. May God truly give you understanding into who He is, especially in relation to the subject of the final fate of the lost, as you take advantage of this free video presentation.
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Life Unlimited on DVD!
Long Awaited Series Now Available
Purchase this exciting new series on DVD through our online store now.
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Life Unlimited at Campion
Loveland, CO
“Why have I never been told what God is truly like?” This was the most frequently asked question during this ten-day series held in Loveland, CO. God blessed this series with so many special opportunities. This series, although hosted by the local Adventist church, was held in the auditorium of Group publishing. Group is a Christian publishing house that makes many of today’s inter-denominational youth ministry resources. Your church might have used their resources last summer for your vacation Bible school program entitled Power Lab, discovering Jesus’ miraculous power.
We had a good turn out and many lives were changed for both time and eternity. Many expressed that they were encountering God and His love for man as they had never experienced before. I still must confess, I have yet to find a system of beliefs that paints a more beautiful picture of our God than ours does. If you have never listened to this series I would also like to strongly encourage you to take advantage of this series as well. You can download the Life Unlimited mp3’s or simply listen online, both absolutely free at: http://www.renewedheartministries.com/sermons.asp
This series has literally helped thousands see God’s character more clearly. Additionally, it has truly created a powerful paradigm shift in understanding who we are as a people, and the prophetic purpose of our message as the final proclamation of God’s character of love. May God’s love truly enrich every aspect of your life as you experience His love for you as revealed through our teachings anew.
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Monterey Bay Academy
La Selva Beach, CA
What could be a better boarding academy to go to than one which is on the beach? I truly enjoyed my time here at this school. Each day we tackled today’s generations touch questions regarding, “If God is so good then why . . ?” There are so many ways today’s youth are finishing that question. Those questions have never deserved more careful and well-thought-out answers than they do now. The pat answers don’t and won’t work anymore. Today’s youth don’t want to play religion, they want to experience something real or they’re not interested. That is why I have a passion for them. They have a brutal honesty that far exceeds any transparency I find in any other audience. They are asking the right questions about God and they are open to the answers. The youth at Monterey Bay Academy are no exception.
With each presentation we unraveled a little bit more of the internal quandaries of today’s generations. Frustrations and doubts are mixed with a sincere desire to understand and know. Above all, we all want to know that we are loved. I watched God do what He does best this week, and many lives were changed as a result. Many came forward on that final presentation in response to Calvary with surrender and an openness to allow God to continue showing them who He really is. Praise God!!! (And, I also learned how to surf that week . . .thanks Bryan.) I truly look forward to seeing what God is going to do through the generation we find developing around us today.
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Rio Lindo Academy
Healdsburg, CA
What I love most about working with today’s generation is the questions they ask! Theirs are the questions that resonate with my headspace and have fueled my quest for understanding God’s love for as long as I can remember. They aren’t easy questions by any means, but they are real questions. These are the kinds of questions the young people of Rio Lindo Academy are asking as well.
I was privileged last month to be able to spend a full week with the students there in Healdsburg, CA. What an enriching experience it was. Each morning we spent about thirty minutes together, but then in the evenings we were given more time to really delve into the tough questions surrounding the character of our God.
What we all discovered was that God is not anything like we’ve been taught. The religious conditioning of this world has left us ill prepared to encounter Him the way He would have us experience Him according to the scriptures. His love is broader, wider, deeper, and higher than anything we have yet conceived.
In the nine sessions we had together that week, the memories that are the most meaningful are those of watching the light turn on in the hearts of today’s generation and witnessing their excitement as their questions finally find satisfactory answers. Though they sense that God’s love is far beyond their full comprehension it makes sense to them, nonetheless!
At the end of the week we closed with the clearest picture of God’s other-centeredness that I believe has ever been given to our world—the cross! Almost the entire school, as well as some faculty, came forward and made decisions to surrender all. They allowed God to lead them from that experience away from all the lies that surround what He is like and into the glorious light of His truth.
Recently, I was told, “It’s really good to know God love’s us, but we need the meat too.” That way of thinking always brings a crooked smile to my face. This is exactly where we miss the point! Young people get the Sabbath! They get the state of the dead! They get the doctrines! Those subjects are easy. What they want to know is how God’s love harmonizes with all of the suffering of today’s world! How God’s love harmonizes with many of the stories of the Old Testament! How God’s love harmonizes with what they have suffered in their own lives! They ask questions like “If God loves me, why is it so hard to understand? Why don’t I feel like it? Why aren’t my prayers answered, if God is so good?” I would like to suggest that if we are going to be studying God’s love throughout eternity, maybe it’s not as “milky” as we have thought. We might just have it backwards! Milk is where we start, but understanding the many facetted puzzlements of God’s love is what feeds us and enables us to grow into mature “Godlike” Christians.
This type of food is for thought and feeling, and at Rio Lindo Academy last month, those thoughts and feelings became life changing realities and set an incredible stage for an exciting school year. I look forward to seeing what God does on that campus in the ensuing months.
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Soquel Campmeeting
Soquel, CA
Let me simply say that this was an incredible experience! If you have never experienced Soquel Campmeeting, let me tell you that it is a Campmeeting like no other. This summer, I was given the privilege of presenting what I consider to be the best news in all the scriptures to two groups during the week.
With the collegiate group, we penetrated more deeply with each presentation into the infinite love that abounds toward us in the heart of our God. This culminated in an incredible encounter with the cross. Many who had been following God out of duty, felt as if they were “seeing” Him truly for the very first time. Hearts were not simply touched, lives were forever changed.
One special experience was that of a young man who was a student at an academy where I had delivered a week of presentations years ago. This young man stated that something took place in his heart that week and that he had been pursuing a correct picture of his heavenly Father ever since. It was truly a blessing to cross paths with this young man as an adult now.
Another experience was that of a young girl who has had a very unfortunate past. With tears in her eyes, she shared that she was feeling, for the first time, that she could truly trust God again. She was so thankful for the healing God was doing in her heart through the presentations. Truth was contrasted with error. The right picture was contrasted with the lies. The shadows were dispelled, and the dawning of His love took place in many collegiate hearts.
Then, there were the adults in the main pavilion. At the end of each presentation I literally felt mobbed as folks clamored to the front to share. One dear sister who had just been in an accident shared of the healing that took place in her heart toward God as she “saw” Him in the presentation on the “why” of human suffering. Another dear gentleman shared how he felt like He was falling in love with God for the first time although he had been a Christian for many years. In addition, there was a dear saint (she was in her 70’s) who came up to me, threw her arms around me and shared that she was a fifth generation Adventist and was truly feeling that the God of this universe sincerely loved her for the very first time. Wow!! I had the pleasure of meeting precious hearts who have been listening online from all over the globe. (Received some very encouraging news from our Australia listeners.)
I witnessed one changed life after another, as the gospel found its way into the hearts of those who had truly never seen Him as He really is. But one experience that will last in my memory for a long time is that of an elderly gentleman. As he was talking with me, someone else interrupted and asked him when He found God? I’ll never forget the look on his face when he turned and said, “That’s a curious thing to ask. I never knew He was lost. I rather prefer to think that He found me.” What a precious brother in Christ. He got it!
In the middle of the week I was given opportunity to give a presentation on the Cross for the main evening meeting. Christ was lifted up. Truth won the hearts of many. Nearly all who attended came forward to make a decision for our God! Praise Him for His matchless love. I’m sure He felt over-loved and overjoyed as many realized that not only is He in their hearts, but they are in the heart of their God!
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Weaverville Experiences Life Unlimited
Weaverville, CA
Weaverville, CA
“Have you ever been to Weaverville?” This was the question everyone was asking when they learned that I was teaching a series aimed at reaching the community in this small town in Northern California. It just so happens that Weaverville could be rightly named the country’s capital for “every green herb” (Genesis 1:30), if you know what I mean. Yet the folks in this community are truly precious. They have a desire to know God more fully and share Him with their community. Many seeds were planted during those ten days. One weeknight, we had over 40 folks from one of the local community churches attend. I am looking forward to the long-term results from that series.
Unfortunately, in the midst of this series, tragedy struck friends of mine who lived far away. During this series I made a last minute trip to Oklahoma to conduct a funeral for some very dear friends who had just lost their ten-year-old son.
Some of you may remember the weekly e-sight released that week. Thank you for your prayers. The family sincerely appreciated your support and prayers. Over and over, they have shared with me how truly thankful they are for all who, through the network of God’s family, connected with them through this ministry. Your continued to prayer are helping them to get through each day right now. For that, I too am thankful to you. If you were not able to read that week’s e-sight devotional, I would like to recommend it to you. You can read it for yourself at:
http://www.renewedheartministries.com/resources.asp?t=insights&s=550
The trip to Weaverville ended well. It was a small town, but a large effort was made by their church to touch the surrounding community with the message of God’s love that had deeply touched their hearts.
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Iowa-Missouri Campmeeting
Centralia, MO
My first thought, when invited to Iowa-Missouri last summer, was, “I need to wake up at 6:00 a.m.? Really? Do they not know how much of a morning person I am not! Well, God will provide.” And so He did. Through the presentations, I met many beautiful people and heard many precious testimonies of what God was doing in their hearts. We experienced God’s love deeply this week, and there was no shortage of humor. (Those who were there will know exactly what I am referring to. Don’t make me put it in the newsletter.)
God opened many doors for Renewed Heart Ministries this week, including the possibility of the Review and Herald printing our upcoming book The Awakening by Herb Montgomery.
This year’s theme for the Iowa-Missouri’s Camp Meeting was “Now Is The Time.” I am reminded of God’s words in Ezekiel 16.
“ ‘. . . I saw that the time had come for you to fall in love. ... Yes, I made a marriage covenant with you, and you became Mine.’ This is what the Sovereign Lord says.” (Ezekiel 16:8, TEV)
Now is the time! Too much time has passed. God is calling all people from far and wide to encounter His heart and proclaim the last message of His mercy to the world! God is moving within the shadows of misrepresentation, and soon He will break forth. The earth will once again be “lightened” with the “revelation of His character of love.” (Revelation 18:1, Christ Object Lessons, p. 415) There is coming a day when we will no longer call Him “Master,” but rather call Him “Husband.” (Hosea 2:16) I look forward to this day. God will have a people who are passionate about Him! Their chief concern (2 Corinthians 5:15) will be for God to feel over-loved and overjoyed as they look beyond concern over their own salvation (Luke 17:33) to the “salvation” of their God from the lies that have been perpetrated in His name. (Revelation 19:1) Certainly we saw this work begin in the hearts of those who saw Him afresh this summer in Iowa-Missouri. Daily testimonies continue to pour into the ministry from the richness of God’s grace that we experienced together, even if it was at 6:00 a.m.
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Christian Men's Retreat
Leoni Meadows, CA
What an amazing event. Over 450 men in Northern California, attended this years annual conference wide men’s retreat. Each session lead us closer into the heart of our Father God. The greatest moment was the morning of the last session. We took time to look to Calvary. What an incredible experience it was as we allowed God to unfold His love for us revealed through the cross. Almost every person came forward at the end in surrender to the great Lover of our souls. It was truly an amazing four days.
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Durant SDA Church
Durant, OK
Those who have followed the ministry’s activity over time have seen this location mentioned before. This time was no different. Durant has a passion for its community. This was, once again, made evident as folks from, not only the local Adventist church, but other churches in the area as well, attended the four presentations over the weekend. Doors are opening in this small Oklahoma town. Hearts were touched by God’s love. Lives were changed.
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Class of 2008
Well, graduation season has once again come and gone. Part of Renewed Heart Ministries’ passion is that not only Adults, but Young People would be able to encounter the truth about our Heavenly Father and His love, as well. It was my privilege to return to two campuses this spring where we had conducted weeks of prayer in the last couple school years to deliver the class of 2008’s commencement address. I believe God is calling today’s generation to choose ministries, not simply occupations. God is calling today’s generation to understand the love of a God who risked even heaven itself to save us. And to, “With both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19, The Message)
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Marlinton SDA Fellowship
Marlinton, WV
I can say this because I’m from West Virginia. There are few places in this great nation that provide such unique challenges to evangelism as my home state. I am so encouraged to see what God’s grace is accomplishing in the little town of Marlinton, WV. Renewed Heart Ministries intentionally does not charge seminar fees, even for our evangelistic series, because we have a burden for all to hear, regardless of the size or financial ability of a church. Marlinton is no exception. If you were to come down the valley into this small town, at it’s heart you would find a small Episcopal church being rented by 10 to 15 “Sevies” every Saturday morning. It's referred to as a “fellowship”, which is small, but has a large passion to reach the world around them. RHM spent ten days working in cooperation with this little group to put on the Life Unlimited series for the community that surrounds them. We saw lives changed as we worked together. Souls advanced in their journey of being drawn deep within the veil, deep within the heart of the One who defines Himself as love. Thank you for the opportunity to do evangelism along side you. Please don’t hesitate to call on us if we can be of any further help to you in the work you are doing in this small West Virginian town.
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Armona Adventist Academy
Armona, CA
Last month I was given the privilege of speaking to some of the most remarkable young people I have ever encountered. We took four days to look at three topics. First, our desperate need to see God as He truly is. Next, if God is so loving, why is there so much pain and suffering on a planet which He claims to be overseeing? Finally, the greatest subject mortals can contemplate—the Cross. I watched as the hearts of these young people opened as a flower turns to the warmth of the sun.
“As a flower turns to the sun, that the bright rays may touch it with tints of beauty, so will the soul turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven's light may beautify the character with the graces of the character of Christ.” (E.G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 468)
The memory which will haunt me the longest is an encounter with a precious heart who has suffered so much. (Please don’t worry. I won't mention who you are. Your secrets are safe with Jesus dear one.) I watched as this student’s heart, which had been so severely damaged by the pain this world can dish out, opened before the love of her Savior. For the very first time things began to make sense. For the very first time she felt “loved.” God became real and His heart began to be understood. Dear sister, in the precious love of our Savior, if you happen to be reading this, I am so happy for what you experienced this week. He loves you more than you could possibly ever fathom. Remember, nothing would make Him happier than for you to spend eternity with Him allowing Him to unfold His endless love to you. Keep your eyes on Him. You are the apple of His eye. No grief touches your heart that does not also pierce His. I look forward to witnessing you and Him there, together, forever.
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Sounds of Rain . . .
Sunset Oaks SDA Church
Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, as the droplets on the fresh grass, and as the showers on the herb.—Deuteronomy 32:1-2, NASB
Twelve months of planning, over three hundred decisions for Jesus, one weekend in March.
In the scriptures, God’s extravagant love and grace is again and again represented as showers of rain that God desperately desires to pour over the thirsty ground of our hearts. And this is exactly what took place this past March at the annual youth revival hosted by Sunset Oaks Seventh-day Adventist Church and conducted in partnership with Renewed Heart Ministries.
It is truly amazing to watch the adult congregation “give up” the use of their entire facility for one whole weekend, once a year, to be used entirely by and for the purpose of reaching our young people. It’s a weekend during which young people can feel safe. They’re not going to be judged on their differences. The burden is simply that they experience a deeper encounter with Jesus over the course of the weekend than prior to their arrival. There’s lots of energy, and a power-packed combination of prayer, worship, and Bible study. It is truly electrifying to witness.
This year, each session seemed to usher the young people into a fuller encounter with God’s character of love and a commitment to letting His grace become the compelling agent in their lives. The weekend culminated with a very personal and powerful presentation on the love of God revealed through the cross of Christ. The result? Over three hundred young people got out of their seats and came forward to answer the call for full surrender to Jesus.
The greatest impact, though, was observing the leadership of the church—who had invested their time, energies, and talents—and seeing tears well up in their eyes as they realized that, for these three hundred plus young people, it was all worth it! There was rejoicing at that moment in heaven for sure, but the visual of seeing everyone who had put so much effort into this event witnessing the fruits of their labor was a memory that will not quickly fade.
God has promised through Isaiah, “I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants; and they [your offspring] will spring up among the grass like poplars by streams of water” (Isaiah 44:3,4). Through Zechariah, He says, “Ask from Me rain at the time of the spring rain, and I, the Lord, who makes the storm clouds will give them showers of rain” (Zechariah 10:1). Certainly, these promises found a fulfillment through the Divinely blessed efforts of Sunset Oaks this March. In the greater Sacramento area, and in the hearts of the young people who attended, there was heard . . . sounds of rain.
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Life Unlimited — NOW ON DVD!
Woodside SDA; Sacramento, CA
Or at least it will in be an about two more months. The filming is complete, and now the editing has commenced. It is an evangelistic series like none other! And, soon, it will be available to either order through our website or simply watch online. I would like to extend a special thank you to White Horse Media, as well as to the Woodside SDA Church, for partnering with Renewed Heart Ministries in the filming of these seventeen revolutionary, life-changing, one-hour presentations. Many expressed that they had never experienced God and His character like they had during these ten days. One dear sister expressed that she was a fifth generation Adventist, had been in the church all her life, and, yet, only over the course of these last ten days had she gained the assurance that Jesus’ death was for her and that she will be in the Kingdom. Praise God! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your help in making the visual recording of this series a reality.
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Manchester Korean SDA Church
Long Island City, NY
Manchester Korean SDA Church
Long Island City, NY
In early March, I was privileged to share with one of my favorite cultures within the Adventist Church—the Koreans. Each of the area churches came together for worship, Bible study, and good food (Sorry, I had to throw that last part in—I love Korean food!). What I will take with me is the look in the eyes of so many as we encountered the cross on Sabbath morning. Many had never pondered the things discussed. The wheels were turning, lights were coming on, hearts were being touched, and lives were being changed. Surely, we experienced the deep movings of the Holy Spirit as we encountered the light that ever streams from the cross of Calvary to and upon all
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A Statement of Faith!
The best way I know to counter circulating rumors is to communicate. Be open, honest, and transparent. We are a new ministry, and with that newness comes the need to reassure those who have questions about our beliefs.
Renewed Heart Ministries and I, Herb Montgomery believe in the substitutionary blood atonement of the Cross. Last year a ministry that is viewed by many to question the necessity of blood atonement invited me to speak at one of their convocations. I understood the risk of association when I accepted that invitation, but I also made a promise to my Savior years ago, that if at all possible, I would answer every call I could, regardless of whom the invitation was by, to share the Gospel of His character of Love. I am passionate about sharing God’s love for this world as seen through the lens of our Adventist teachings.
I am not a moral influence theorist. I do believe that Calvary does exert a moral influence but I believe that influence is through the truth of the substitutionary death of Christ’s Cross. That said, we at Renewed Heart Ministries do not believe in a three-party substitution. We do believe in a two-party substitutionary blood atonement. (For more on this, please listen to The Sufferings of a God on our Web site at http://www.renewedheartministries.com/resources.asp?t=sermons).
I do not hold the belief that God never takes an active role in the taking of life. I do believe that sin has harmful, intrinsic and destructive results that the sinners bring upon themselves. We need to understand this subject more clearly. Yet, I do not hold that God never imposes, as a parent, disciplinary consequences out of love, to save his children, those same consequences, involving, at times, the act of ending the temporal life of those who are in willful, stubborn, open, unrepentant rebellion. I believe the Scriptures hold many examples of God acting in this fashion.
It is my prayer that this statement of faith will calm rumors that have been circulating by those who have questions. I hope all will understand that, I may go and speak at conventions of which I will not hold in common the beliefs of those I may speaking along side. For example, I may speak at a convention of Baptists, even though I am not a Baptist. I would simply be a guest at a Baptist convention. Yet, I would be sharing the truth as I believe God has shown us as a church.
In regards to the invitation I accepted last year, will I accept an invitation to go again? I don’t know. I have been invited. What I can say is that my willingness to preach to anyone and alongside anyone, has raised some serious questions from those who are sincere but unfamiliar with our ministry. It has become a matter of deep prayer between me and my Savior. If I should turn them down this year, it will be the first time I have said no for a reason other than a scheduling conflict, in ten years of ministry. Pray that I will have wisdom. Thank you for listening.
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Videos Now on the Web site!
I am happy to announce that after much trial and error, we now have videos up on the Web site for your viewing pleasure. Now that all the bugs have been worked out, we will be adding even more videos. Currently we are filming our 17 presentations of the Life Unlimited evangelistic series and hope to have all 17 videos posted to the site soon!
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Penn Valley SDA Church
Penn Valley, CA
“Thank you! Just thank you!” was her response.
In January, the pastor of the Penn Valley SDA Church and I decided to try something a little different.
I arrived for a weekend seminar where our only focus was to have those who attended encounter the Gospel through our Adventist message. The goal was to invite as many members of the community as we could, get them excited, and then come back in three weeks to hold a longer evangelistic seminar where the people who had attended the previous weekend seminar could invite their friends. I don’t know if that worked, but what I do know is that I had the privilege of meeting two very special people. They are not members of the Adventist church, but they are part of the body of Christ. Each night I watched as the wheels began to turn inside. I watch lights turn on, and new ideas dawn as my dear new friends encountered truth after truth.
Then we come to the presentation where we cover the Gospel as revealed through the truth of God’s seventh day Sabbath. I always approach this subject with great delicacy and prayer as I am fully aware how contrary it is to modern traditional Christianity. Yet when we were three-quarters of the way through the presentation, the more vocal of the two of my new friends exclaimed, “Thank you, thank you. Just thank you! I have wrestled with this for over a year now and I could not find a satisfactory answer, and to see its relation to the Gospel is even more amazing!”
At the end of the series, we had four folks interested in following up the truths they had encountered in that series. I know very well that there are many well-meaning folks who are used to hearing large numbers who would say, “Four? Only four as a result of a ten-day series?” I would answer yes. When trying innovative methods of marketing you have to try new things even when those methods may not produce the desired outcome. In order to find “something better” than the current model you have to be willing to risk trying something that may turn out to be worse. You learn as you go, on the run so to speak. You pick up things that work, you leave behind things that don’t, but at least you try to reach the masses that our current approach grossly neglects.
But let me add, I would not say “only” four attendees. Having spent time with each attendee, and gotten to know each of them personally, was well worth it. I have rarely met such sincerity, honesty, and openness as I encountered in these four precious souls. In my book, this series was my most successful effort in the last ten years of ministry. I so look forward to seeing God’s leading in my new friends’ lives over the next few months.
If you happen to be reading this, my dear friends, prove all things, don’t stop searching, God is daily “ordaining” certain events in your life, drawing you, in hopes that you “might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:27). Our meeting was not chance. God is calling you to join His last movements in this age. He is about to return, but before He does, “the mystery of God will be finished” (Revelation 10:7).
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Campion SDA Church
Loveland, CO
In September we will be conducting our Life Unlimited series for the Campion SDA church community. In preparation for this event, last month I spent Friday evening and all day Sabbath presenting the themes of God’s paternal tenderness and His abundant grace for the sinner. The response was astounding. I met so many precious people that weekend. Many who had experienced loss found answers for the first time as we looked at the delicate balance God holds between control and freedom, love and risk. But by far the greatest encounter took place when we came to the cross. I resolved long ago never to do a series of meetings without devoting some portion of that series to the contemplation of Calvary and God’s great love therein revealed. But rarely have I experienced such clarity of thought and speech on that subject as what we experienced together in Campion. Truly God came close and our lives will never be the same. Blessings to you, Campion; I look forward to what God is going to do as we reach out to your community next fall.
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The Dawning of a New Day
Lewisburg, WV
About six months ago, I had the privilege of delivering the Sabbath morning sermon at my home church (which doesn’t happen often, since I’m away from home almost every weekend). That morning, I was blessed to look out into my audience and see a visitor. I would later be introduced to her by name. But at that point, I was struck by how deeply attentive she was to the presentation. I was speaking about a very meaningful topic currently in my life and that is the encounter Mary Magdalene had with Jesus.
After church, I was introduced to our visitor. Her name was Crystal, and the person she was with asked if I could spare a moment to talk. Crystal’s background was in Wicca, and she had never before heard the things concerning God’s love, Mary, and the awakening of heart-level faith in the way she had experienced in that morning’s presentation. She expressed that she felt like she was Mary, and for the first time, she felt as if God’s love for Mary was exactly what God felt toward her. She wanted more. She didn’t want to run anymore. She had lots of questions, as well as lots of tears. I assured her that it would all become clear in time, just be patient, and don’t stop believing in what she was beginning to understand in regards to God’s unfathomable love for her.
She began studying with a couple in our local church as well as our local pastor and his wife. And I am happy to announce that last month, in January of ‘08, Crystal was baptized in our local church here in West Virginia. Congratulations Crystal!! And even more so, now after your baptism, in regards to God’s great love for you, don’t stop believing!
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Charleston SDA Church
Charleston, WV
Wow, wow, wow! I was truly amazed to see what the Charleston SDA church is doing these days. My first introduction to the great things our God is up to in this church was Friday night when I arrived. I was immediately met by a lovely young lady whose introduction was, “Hi, my name is . . . . I’m now off the streets, and I’ve been clean of drugs for seven months!” I thought, “That’s great.” Then, the next morning as I was listening to their praise and testimony time, another lady stood up and thanked God for the changes God was making in her life and stated she would soon be getting her daughter back. My ears perked up. I thought, “Who is this church reaching out to?” Then it became obvious. In between church and my afternoon meetings, the church packed up the leftovers from the “potluck” (which was quite a lot of food, nonetheless), and we headed downtown to feed the hungry. Man, they came out of the woodwork. Then I met Isaiah. He was slobberingly (is that a word?) drunk, and then our eyes met. There was something different about him, and I think he noticed something different about me as well. He reached out to me and began to cry. He said, “I don’t know why I’m telling you this, but I’ve tried so long to give up the bottle. I need help. I’m tired of my life. I’m tired of all this. I want to be free. Please, can you help me?” I reassured him that I could not set him free, but I knew someone who could. I looked into his eyes and said slowly and firmly, “My friend can help you. And the best part is He doesn’t care where you’ve been. He just cares where you are going.” Isaiah hopped in the car with us as we headed back to the church and stayed through my last two presentations. He encountered Calvary that day as he had never heard it before. I know he was inebriated, and some may scoff at this, but he did make a decision that day. He accepted Jesus that day as His Lord and Savior and stated he wanted to go to heaven to live with Jesus. He wanted to be free from his alcohol and have Jesus instead. I wonder sometimes if we really mean it when we say, “Come to Jesus, just as you are.” Certainly Isaiah did just this. He’s in the hands of that local church now, and I can’t wait to be met at the door next time with, “Hi, my name is Isaiah. I’m off the streets now, and I’ve been sober for seven months.” May the gospel continue to change lives in real and practical ways. Praise God!
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The Awakening
Pullman, Washingtion
Four days in January, Nine sermons, Sixty souls, Sixteen visitors. The Community Worship Center of Pullman, WA, feels a deep desire to reach the university community surrounding their church. This past January, I had the privilege of conducting an abbreviated evangelistic series (nine topics), entitled The Awakening, in a neutral venue. The concept was simple. In her encounter with Jesus, Mary Magdalene had experienced in her heart the awakening of something that would change the rest of her life. Whatever it was she saw, we set our hearts to encounter that same. We looked at such topics as the Sabbath, Death, The Final Fate of the Wicked, and the question of Why Do Evil Things Happen if God is Good? We contrasted what the Christian church of the Middle Ages taught concerning these topics with what Jesus taught concerning them during His ministry here on Earth. The comparison was striking. The four days culminated in an encounter with Calvary that moved us all.
One story stands out above the rest. Sabbath morning, a dear sister we had met in a restaurant that week showed up to the meetings. The subject was Why Do Evil Things Happen if God is Good? Without mentioning the details, at the close of the service, she had a meltdown. We discovered that she herself had been abused as a 12-year-old girl and had been harboring it since (50+ years). That morning was the first time someone from a church had ever addressed what happened to her in a way that made sense. She began to cry uncontrollably, and I along with three of the other leaders of the church quickly began to pray. We lifted this dear sister up before Jesus, praying that He would work a miracle, that she could be freed, and that, in the light of God’s great forgiveness for her sins, she might have forgiveness awakened in her heart toward those who had sinned against her. The result: Our dear sister walked away that day a new creature in Christ Jesus. For the first time in her life, she was free. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she was free. She came to the remaining meetings in the series, and before I left, she had already been warmly drawn into one of the church’s weekly Bible studies. Truly, a miracle had taken place before our eyes. One of God’s children had come home. She had been brought out of darkness into His marvelous light.
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New releases for 2008!
The new year has commenced and activity abounds. This year, as funding permits, it is our hope to release many more heavily requested resources. The following is a short description of the projects we are currently working on and hope to release in 2008.
Bible Studies!
It is our goal to release the first ten lessons of a new series of Bible studies built for busy people. The aim of these lessons is to reach our current postmodern culture with the message of God’s love as seen through the lens of our Adventists beliefs in a current and culturally relevant way.
A New Book!
The long awaited, much requested manuscript by Herb Montgomery is almost finished and will be going through editing and design this spring. The title is still to be announced.
Morning Devotional for Sharing!
Have you ever wanted to share the insights you’ve gained from Renewed Heart Ministries? It is our hope to aid you in this by releasing a small book of morning devotionals that is small enough to share with your family and friends. This concise booklet will be a compilation of the weekly E-sights many have enjoyed via their e-mail throughout 2007.
Life Unlimited on DVD!
Many have requested the Life Unlimited series on DVD, but as yet we have not been able to supply this request with a professionally recorded set. As funding permits we will be filming and editing the truly life changing Life Unlimited series for DVD release in 2008.
Updates to the Website!
We will also be introducing a weekly podcast subscription as well as streaming video presentations in the resource section of our Website.
Promotional DVDs!
These will be short three-minute promotional DVD you can share with your church, family, and friends to introduce them to the life changing free resources offered by Renewed Heart Ministries.
Four-Day Training Program on How to Share the Gospel!
Last summer it was requested that we begin holding seminars that help train church members to share their faith in a Gospel-centered way. This four-day intensive class will have limited registration, which will be announced on our Website. It is our hope to use the new Bible study series in conjunction with this training series. Registration will be a first-come, first-served basis; and the location and dates will be announced. Sorry, no pre-registration.
Once again, these are our visions for 2008 as funding permits. Please feel free to request more information if you would like to give toward any of the projects listed above. We at Renewed Heart Ministries wish you God’s richest blessings this new year. May work Jesus began of “lightening the Earth with His glory,” soon be finished through the revealing of His love through us.
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Announcing Our New Addition!
Christian Journey Montgomery
In response to much demand, we are announcing (with pictures) the birth of our new son. Crystal and I would like to express our deep gratitude to all of you who have held our family and our new addition in your prayers. On November 19, 2007, Christian Journey Montgomery was born into our family. He was 7 pounds 5.6 ounces, and truly adorable.
We have so much to be thankful for this holiday season. I’m sure we all have a lot to be thankful for. Needs met, friends, family, both new and old, but most of all, Jesus. This Christmas, let us take time to allow God’s love to awaken in our hearts deeper streams of appreciation and gratitude for the gift of His beloved Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, than we have heretofore experienced. Thank you all so much for your prayers and your continued support of Renewed Heart Ministries. We have seen so many lives changed in this ministry’s first year as a result of God’s work through our efforts. Testimonies continue to come in daily: of hearts won, brought back, or reestablished in God’s great love for them. Just today, I received this email: “These messages are changing my life. Thank you for this web site. I'm sharing with everyone I know that seems willing to listen or learn.” Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support. It is my hope that, through our partnership together, the work of “lightening this earth with His glory” (Revelation 18:1), which began with that Tiny Babe in a manger in Bethlehem, will soon find its grand culmination as we not only meditate on the nature of His love for us, but we allow that same love to be revealed through us, as well.
God’s richest blessings to all of you this Holiday Season.
Sincerely,
Herb Montgomery
Director | Speaker
Renewed Heart Ministries
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Life Unlimited in Bakersfield, CA
Pacific Health Center / Bakersfield SDA Church –
Last month, I was privileged to share our Life Unlimited series in Bakersfield, CA. We had over 80 non-Adventists from the community attend, with many of those making decisions for Jesus for the very first time. Over 20 of those made decisions to follow Jesus in relation to the greatest Gospel teaching device ever given to humanity—the Sabbath.
After attending both Sabbath presentations as well as hearing the good news concerning Hell, one dear lady came to me excitedly that evening with tears of joy in her eyes. She said, “Thank you so much for sharing all this with us. I’ve never seen God like this before! My life will never be the same!”
A number of Bible studies were started during this ten day series, with folks from the community surrounding the church. I look forward to watching what God will do in the lives of these dear souls as they come to see God and His love for them, many for the first time. Keep up the good work, Bakersfield!
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Canadian College University
Lacombe, Alberta
This September, I had the pleasure of sharing with our Canadian students for Canadian College University’s (our Adventist university in the Canadian Union) fall week of prayer. What made this experience truly amazing is that attendance to the University’s week of prayer is strictly “voluntary.” The students are not required to come to the presentations, but once the word got out about what other students were experiencing through the presentations of the gospel each morning and evening, students began attending in droves. This fall week of prayer was reported as being the largest attended week of prayer in the history of the university, with over 90 percent of the student body coming forward and making a decision for Jesus on the closing Sabbath. I wish you could have been there to see the truly heart-stirring response of those young adults to the Gospel as many of them encountered God’s life-changing love for them for the very first time. You can listen to the presentations given during this week for yourself on our website on our Sermons/Downloads page under Resources.
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Adventist Christian Fellowship / Central Las Cruces SDA Church
Las Cruces, NM
Light once again dawned on our darkened perceptions of God and His character of love, but this time it was in New Mexico! We had a wonderful weekend experience as two churches came together in one town to spend a weekend focusing on God’s self-sacrificing and self-abandoning love for each of us. Many plans are being laid to share this good news with the community surrounding these churches. I so look forward to seeing what God is going to do in Las Cruces as we lift high the cross for all to see the truth about our God!
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Glendale SDA Church & Glenview Academy
Glendale, AZ
“One week in October” is how it all began three years ago. I’ve been in Glendale for the last three Octobers now, and this year we spent one whole week taking time to focus specifically on Calvary and what God was accomplishing for us there. I’ve rarely felt the clarity that we achieved during this week as we studied together the greatest single revelation of God’s love for this lost word—the Cross. These presentations will be available soon for free download for any who are interested in understanding more clearly what Calvary was all about.
Also this year, while in Glendale, I was asked to share with the Academy there in the morning the precious good news of our Father’s love. Morning after morning, we addressed the young peoples’ perceptions of what they felt God was like, while being open to letting God show us the truth concerning Himself. Each morning, the light became brighter and brighter, finally climaxing on Friday, with almost the entire student body making a surrender to God to allow His great love to be the controlling influence in their lives. If any of the students from Glendale happen to be reading, I look forward to being with you again for graduation next May. Til then, keep your eyes on the Cross! It is there and there alone that we see the truth most clearly. May the light of the bright beams of Calvary shine on you all!
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An Oasis for the Underground
By Diane Johnston
We were blessed to have Herb join us in Cove, Oregon, for our first Underground Oasis Retreat. It is a very long trip from West Virginia to eastern Oregon, but the Oasis family will always be grateful to Herb for making the exhausting trip and agreeing to be our keynote speaker.
The Underground Oasis is a God-based recovery program that believes that only God has the power to completely heal our destructive habits and dependencies. Our Oasis family will never be the same as a result of this life-changing weekend. We say that “at the Underground Oasis, we don’t care about where you’ve been, we just care about where you’re going.” Herb gave the Oasis Family a new vision of God this weekend. A God who truly cares about where we’re going and freely forgives where we’ve been.
Herb’s message for the Underground Oasis was a message of hope—something that has eluded most of us as a result of our choices earlier in life. We were shown a new picture of God’s character, a God who desperately loves even those who have made poor decisions and left a trail of wreckage in their path. This was brought home in a powerful way when Herb told of the last three hours of Jesus on the cross. The fact that Jesus felt separated from His father, but was still willing to die that second death so that we might experience eternity, was a powerful picture of God’s character of love. Of all the people who can identify with feelings of rejection, betrayal, separation, and hopelessness, the Underground Oasis Family stands out. Many had never heard the true story of the cross, and for the first time it brought hope to those hearts.
The weekend was about healing and forgiveness. Forgiveness is an issue that consumes most of us in the Oasis Family. The track record for most of us has not been stellar. We learned the key to forgiveness was not held by us—that key is held by God. Herb encouraged us to let go and stop begging God to do something He has already done for us. He has already forgiven us in His heart. We need forgiveness to cleanse our hearts and minds of the guilt and remorse we have been packing around for a lifetime. Herb asked us to concentrate only on how much God has forgiven us. When we start to comprehend that truth, the ability to forgive ourselves and others who have hurt us will automatically flow out of a grateful heart. —Dale, aka “The Deacon”
“I never realized how we can tie God’s hands by our choices. That explained so much to me why my 911 prayers never seemed to reach the ceiling. Even though God is all powerful, in His love for us, he still gives us free choice.” —Steve, aka “Mad Max.”
“I am a 3rd-generation Adventist. I have spent my whole life in a backslidden, hopeless condition. I have found recovery through Jesus Christ at the Underground Oasis, a Christ Centered 12 Step recovery family. Herb was invited to speak at our retreat this summer and WOW! I’m convinced that this is God’s last great message to the whole world. Let the rain fall!” —Steve F.
“Thank you so much for the awesome weekend. I learned so much and was relaxed at the same time.” —Ricia
“I’ve been in and out of church all of my life. I’ve been in and out of prison, too. I viewed Christianity as a band-aid for weak people. After this weekend I saw a real Jesus Christ and my view of Christianity and religion is more of a wholesome, one-on-one relationship and friendship with Jesus. The weekend should have lasted longer. Herb redefined my definition of who God is. The marks, scars, tattoos and bruises on my body were the decisions of a teenager who knew everything and who became an adult who knew nothing. I was once a hopeless dope addict—now I’m a dopeless hope addict! I love you, Herb!” —Mike, aka “Biggin”
“I know things now that will keep me from running away from God. I couldn’t get enough, I need more.” —Vicki
“The first night stands out in my mind, where Herb defined who it was we are seeing when we think of God. We have been concentrating on our behavior instead of Jesus. Who I see determines how I think. How I think determines how I feel. How I feel determines my behavior. I believe the eyes are the avenue to the soul. As a result of this weekend, I am more dedicated to beholding Christ and then letting the behavior fall in order.” —Jim, aka “Recovering Pharisee”
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Mary-like Faith in Summersville, WV.
Summersville SDA Church
As we shared in last month’s newsletter, God desire is that, through the revelation of His love, He might awaken in us the same quality of faith the was inspired in the heart of Mary toward Jesus as her Savior. This month, I was able to visit the Adventist Church in Summersville, WV, and watch the presentation of God’s character do just that in the lives of those who attended. Afterwards, one of the elders of the church came to me, and said, “I am convinced that this is what the western world needs! Adventism in the light of God’s love, or rather, as you say, God’s love through the lens of our Adventist teachings is the only thing that will win the hearts of secular North America.” I could not agree more, brother. This is what we are to be about! To North America and the entire globe, may the cry be heard, “Behold your God!”
“O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!” (Isaiah 40:9)
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Adventists, Baptists, and Lutherans!
Durant, OK
Three years ago, I had the immense privilege of conducting an evangelistic series in a small farming town known as Durant, OK. Last month, I returned for a weekend. I was truly encouraged to see how the church is still growing. But, before I share with you what took place during that weekend, I would like to give you the backdrop for what I wrote shortly after the first time I was in Durant.
Brothers in Christ—Herb Montgomery
The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary. I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation and redemption—the Son of God uplifted on the cross. This is to be the foundation of every discourse given by our ministers.
—E. G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 315. (1915)
Last October, I had the immense privilege of conducting three weeks of meetings in the small town of Durant, Ok. I had decided to base the entire series for an audience from any background, churched or un-churched, and to follow the advice of the statement you read at the onset of this article. Years ago, I became convinced that what people need the most is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and all of the other amazing things they can discover from the Bible need to follow and be based upon their primary encounter with the love that continuously surges in God’s heart for them.
The meetings started off with a wonderful surprise. One of the elders of the church had grown up with one of the local Baptist pastors in the area who also does music ministry. The elder invited his pastor friend to come and do the musical specials for the first two nights. Little did I know at the beginning how the Lord would work. Although the meetings were being held in the Adventist church, this Baptist pastor agreed, and, boy, were we in for a blessing. But the greatest blessing was what the Lord would teach me through our encounter.
The pastor did the music for the first two nights. We discussed the fundamental need for everyone from every walk of life having a true understanding and encounter with the character of God and His extravagant love for them . . . That Sunday, I was graciously invited to attend my new Baptist friend’s church where he pastors. It was packed, and I could see why. I was so welcomed and loved from the moment I walked in the door that it was refreshing. The service was comfortable, culturally relevant, and yet Biblically pure. The sermon was outstanding. It has been so long since I have attended any church service outside my own denomination, and I was honestly and pleasantly surprised. The passage that morning was Titus 2:11-13, and the main point of the sermon was that the same grace that saves us also teaches us to obey. Then the pastor surprised me again.
He announced to his congregation that he had been attending the series of meetings that were being held at the local Seventh-day Adventist church. He made me stand, and he introduced me to everyone, and then he spoke the very words that I was longing to say.
He said, “I know we have some differences with the Adventists, but I think there is plenty enough that we agree on too. I think we would get a lot further if we focused on the things we agree with the Adventists on rather than always fighting over the things we differ in.” He went on to testify of the tremendous blessing he had been receiving through the meetings, and then he looked at his congregation, as said something I never thought I would hear a Baptist pastor say. “I’m going to be attending these meetings, and I want to see every one of you there too.”
That next week, we had lunch together, and what a blessing it was. We both shared, back and forth, of our love for Jesus and His people. And I was amazed to see the bridges that God could build between His children. The pastor attended as many of the rest of the series as he could. He sat through presentations that were distinctly Adventist. We covered things that I know did not harmonize with some of the Baptist teachings, and, yet, he was incredibly gracious and open. He truly is a brother in Christ.
On the last night, he asked if he could just have thirty seconds before I began to talk. I readily agreed, and the words he shared that last night are still etched in my memory:
“I have been a pastor for over thirty years, but what I haven’t done for the last twenty years is to go to meetings because I just got burned out on all the garbage that’s out there. And yet, I have found myself attending most every night of these meetings. Tonight, I just want to say I am thankful for three things. Number one, good friends (and he pointed to his friend who was our elder) who reached out and invited me to these meetings. Second, I’m thankful for a group of people who meet under a different name and on a different day, but whom I’ve learned are my brothers and sisters in Christ. And, thirdly, I want to thank God, that, somehow, in His infinite wisdom and love, He could see fit to look down and use this young kid from West Virginia to teach this Baptist pastor who’s been ministering for thirty years new insights into His love and give me some things to think about. I love you like a brother, man.”
I have never been so blessed by anyone’s response to my meetings as I was listening to his heartfelt response that night. Roger, if you’re out there, and you happen to be reading this, I truly consider you to be a brother in Jesus. You were a tremendous blessing to me, as well. And when all else fails, remember, “Give ‘em heaven brother, give ‘em heaven.” I’ll see you in the kingdom.
Last month was the second time I have been able to go back to Durant since the above-mentioned series. This time, we covered topics from God’s Faith Awakening Love to the Sabbath, The Final Fate of the Lost, Death, the Latter Rain and, finally, Calvary. Each topic took us deeper into an encounter with the heart of God and the Love He has for each one of us. As always in Durant, we had a mixture of different denominations who attended. Of course, there were the local Adventists, but we also were blessed by having Baptists and Lutherans, as well, fellowshipping with us that weekend. It is always exciting to me when someone of another faith visits, and the first thing they hear from an Adventist pulpit is a presentation on the Gospel that, according to them, is unlike anything they have ever heard before. Praise God! For too long, we have left the wrong impression on our fellow Christians outside our faith. It’s encouraging to me to see that being reversed. I’m reminded of that famous statement:
“Of all professing Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should be foremost in uplifting Christ before the world. The proclamation of the third angel's message calls for the presentation of the Sabbath truth. This truth, with others included in the message, is to be proclaimed; but the great center of attraction, Christ Jesus, must not be left out. It is at the cross of Christ that mercy and truth meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss each other. The sinner must be led to look to Calvary; with the simple faith of a little child, he must trust in the merits of the Saviour, accepting His righteousness, believing in His mercy. (Ellen White, Gospel Workers p.156)
I will be returning to Durant next April, and then again in November. We are going to be looking into a neutral location where we will be able to reach more of the small farming community. I solicit your prayers as this little church in the plains of Oklahoma seeks to profoundly lift up Christ for the blessing of those around them.
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Redwood Campmeeting
Northern California Conference
When men and women can more fully comprehend the magnitude of the great sacrifice which was made by the Majesty of heaven in dying in man's stead, then will the plan of salvation be magnified, and reflections of Calvary will awaken tender, sacred, and lively emotions in the Christian's heart. Praises to God and the Lamb will be in their hearts and upon their lips . . . Who can measure the love Christ felt for a lost world as He hung upon the cross, suffering for the sins of guilty men? This love was immeasurable, infinite. (Ellen White, Testimonies to the Church, vol. 2, p. 212)
Truly, we experienced a taste of this love in last month’s experience at Redwood Campmeeting in the Northern California Conference. Each night, we were brought amazingly close once again to the heart of the Father as revealed through the life, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.
One dear sister approached me one evening after the presentation and stated, “I’ve been in the church all my life and it’s as though I’ve never heard the gospel before! It’s like I’m hearing it all for the first time. Jesus died for me, it was all for me. Even though I was raised in the church I feel like I want to be re-baptized.”
Each night, hearts were moved and lives were changed.
Here are a few testimonies:
“Thank you for being Jesus with skin on. You have changed my heart and mind with your ministry. Praise God!”
“I am 32 and the only sibling still in the church, out of nine kids. I only wish that they had a chance to know the Lord like you have shown us. You have changed my walk with God.”
“Thank you for opening our eyes and hearts to new ideas of God’s love—He is using you in a powerful way. We pray for you . . .”
“God is using you in a mighty way! We’ve greatly appreciated your message last year. This year God has used you to help heal our marriage that was falling apart! We praise God for bringing us the most powerful message of His great love for us. May God continue to guide you and your family.”
“Thank you for showing clearly the love God has for me. His love has changed my life.”
At the beginning of the week, a dear friend came to me after the first presentation on Mary Magdalene’s faith, believing and yet struggling to believe. She was sincerely doubting if God’s love could do for her what it did for Mary. She asked, “Can it really do that, or are you just preaching? Please, I can’t allow my hopes to be disappointed. I don’t think I can handle being let down one more time.” I promised her that if she would just believe the revelation that God was going to share this week, not one soul has ever been disappointed when they truly encountered His love for them.
Toward the end of the week, in the middle of one presentation, she came to my mind. I began scanning the crowd for her face. And there she was with tears in her eyes. She came up to me afterward and all she could say was, “Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
Truly by love is love awakened!” God’s richest blessing to you, dear sister. May the rain soon fall!
If any of you from Redwood last month are out there reading this, may the earth soon be “Lightened with His glory.” (Revelation 18:1) Don’t stop believing!
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New Online Store!
This month marks the opening of Renewed Heart Ministries’ Online Resource Center Store. Through this avenue, you can purchase recordings of your favorite sermons from our downloads section. These presentations will still be available for free download. But for those who prefer to simply have all the presentations on CD, we are now taking orders online. Currently, we are offering our four most popular series: Extravagant Love, Life Unlimited, Light in the Darkness, and Glowing in the Dark, with more being added each month. Enjoy!
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An Open Letter
Recently we received a letter inquiring about how RHM operates and is funded. We thought we would respond to this letter openly.
Dear Friend,
Thank you so much for your recent inquiry concerning Renewed Heart Ministries. We believe that Jesus’ ministry was for the salvation of humanity. This salvation is deeply rooted and grounded in mankind rightly encountering, understanding, and believing the truth concerning the character of God. We believe that the church today is commissioned to finish the work Jesus began of revealing the Father.
“Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, ‘Behold your God.’ The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. (Ellen White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 415)
Renewed Heart Ministries (RHM) is a supportive ministry of the worldwide work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. RHM is a recognized nonprofit 501(c)(3) which enables us to offer tax deductible receipts for each donation. We answer to a Board that is composed of ordained leaders within the church, as well as laypeople whose hearts are bound with this ministry’s focus and have proven themselves as successful business owners as well. Our goal is to make it possible for every church and community to be blessed by the message of the Father’s love as seen through the lens of our Adventist teachings. No matter how large or small, RHM does not charge a fee for its services. This is largely in part to Herb Montgomery’s (founder and director) philosophical belief that we at RHM cannot possibly charge for that which God has given us for free.
When doing a seminar, whether a weekend or our longer evangelistic series, the only cost to the church is the expenses incurred in holding the meetings. We believe that the gospel should go forth as far, fast, and free as humanly possible. Most of the resources offered online are also free of charge.
And yet in saying all this, it does take money to run a ministry. We cannot possibly accomplish this goal without the financial support and partnership of those whose passion and mission are the same. Consequently, we are dependent on outside support. Along with one-time donations, what really keeps Renewed Heart Ministries going are those who have committed to being monthly partners. This produces consistency to reach out and set long-term goals for spreading the Gospel to the world around us. To be frank, a ministry can exist on large one-time donations, and although these are in no way discouraged, to run a ministry on these alone is risky and unwise. What truly keeps a ministry like RHM going is consistency—many people doing a small amount each month.
Dear Friend, I would suggest making your decision about whether to support RHM a matter of prayer. Ask the Lord if this is something He would have you do and how much He would have you contribute on a monthly basis. Regardless of the amount, our resources are at your disposal. May they not only change your life, but also equip you to proclaim the truth of our heavenly Father’s character of love from the rooftops!
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New Newsletter Name!
The original idea was that this newsletter would be a way for people to keep their fingers on the pulse of what’s going on with Renewed Heart Ministries (RHM). But after much thought and prayer we have changed the name of our newsletter from The Pulse to Awakenings. This name represents the passion of RHM and the two-fold purpose we would like our newsletter to serve.
“The earth was dark through misapprehension of God. That the gloomy shadows might be lightened, that the world might be brought back to God, Satan's deceptive power was to be broken. This could not be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God's government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him.” (Desire of Ages p. 22)
Our hope is that, each month, this newsletter will not only serve as a way of sharing how others have experienced this awakening, but that through it’s messages your heart might more deeply encounter God’s love for you so that you may more deeply experience this same awakening as well!
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Kingman SDA Church
Kingman, AZ
Last month I had the privilege of spending a week in Kingman, Arizona. I made seven presentations of the character of God, and the most exciting news is that these were videotaped for our new website.
Night after night hearts were touched and lives were changed. One attendee wrote, “We were truly moved by your seminar in Kingman. We have heard you twice at camp meeting but each time we are again ‘renewed.’”—PS
Keep a lookout for the videos on our website www.renewedheartministries.com. They should be arriving this month in a new section under the resources tab titled “Videos!”
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Tabernacle SDA Church
Battle Creek, MI
Battle Creek. Just the name evokes the deep roots of Adventism. After all this is where our church had its official beginning. I had the opportunity to see Kellogg’s Sanitarium, many of the pioneers’ graves as well as those of the White’s, and the of course the Tabernacle itself. I found myself wrestling with many emotions that weekend, but most of all I was stirred by our history of victories and failures to finish the work we were called into being to accomplish. We have been here too long, my friends. Two statements played over and over in my heart all weekend.
“Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, ‘Behold your God.’ The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love” (Ellen White, Christ’s Object Lessons p. 416, emphasis added).
“Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere this, have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their welcome into the city of God” (Ellen White, Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 450. emphasis added).
We had a good mix of both youth and adults in attendance, I believe we had over 150 in the evening and afternoon. For Church there were more than three hundred regulars in attendance. I spoke on the difficult subject of how God could love us so much and yet still so many horrendous things happen to us in our lives. Many were moved. One dear sister approached me at the back of the church with tears in her eyes. She said, “Thank you. You have done for me in one sermon, what 15 years of counseling could not. I don’t know how to thank you.” God bless you, dear sister.
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Announcing Life Unlimited!
“A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”—John 10:10
Jesus came to affect every area of our life through giving back to humanity a true representation of the character of the Father. Since man’s fall came through deception over God’s character (Genesis 3:1-3), Jesus knew that man’s restoration would also come through the restoration of the truth concerning God’s character. In John 8:32 we find Jesus explaining to us, “You will know the truth [about God], and the truth will set you free.” And again when looking toward Calvary, Jesus understood this to be the primary purpose of the cross, when He stated, “But for this purpose I came to this hour. ‘Father, glorify Thy name [character]’” (John 12:27-28). And thus, if we combine Jesus’ statements in John 12 and John 10, we find that He came to this world in order that we might have the life we were made for through restoring to us a true understanding of God’s character and His great love for this world.
This month Renewed Heart Ministries is releasing a brand new series, “Life Unlimited,” for free download on our website under “Resources.” This seventeen-presentation evangelistic series is aimed at reaching our culture with the message of God’s life-changing love as seen through the unique truths of the Seventh-day Adventist movement. It is based on the premise that a correct view of God’s character of Love, through our teachings, will bring healing and direction to every area of our life. If believed and applied, the principles of God’s love will bring emotional healing, fitness and health, spiritual fulfillment, mental development, and financial freedom.
Experience Adventist truths--spanning from our prophetic interpretations all the way to the Sabbath, the State of the Dead, and even Tithing--in light of the Gospel of God’s character of Love and the abundant life Jesus came to give us. Our teachings as a church were given to us so that we might “lighten the earth with His glory” (Revelation 18:1). Come encounter them as never before. Jesus sought to meet the felt needs of the world He was endeavoring to teach on the character of the Father. May we, too, passionately share the truth of God’s character with this world in a way that they can hear. Life Unlimited!
Free for you to download this month!
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Young People Glow in the Dark!
Rocklin, CA
The Sunset Oaks Seventh-day Adventist Church, feeling the call to reach out to Northern California's youth, decided to make a difference. The church itself rented another location for their adult members to have their normal church service, and then they took their facility and put on an area-wide, entire weekend of events, worship, and Gospel presentations for churched and unchurched young people alike. And that's where my involvement came in. I had the distinct privilege of giving the "Gospel presentations" part.
Friday night we looked at the importance of having a right picture of God. Then on Sabbath day, we began the quest to obtain that picture. We looked at three topics: the love relationship among the members of the Godhead and how we were created to share in that relationship; the difficult subject of "if God loves us so much, then why does he allow bad things to happen to us?"; and then we finished off with a passionate meditation on Calvary--the greatest picture this world has ever been given of the character of God and His great love for us. I then asked for the young people that evening to come forward and make a decision for Jesus--to make a response to God's great love revealed through Calvary--and over 150 young people came forward! Praise God! If darkness is all the lies that have been told concerning God, and light is the truth concerning God, then we were most definitely "Glowing in the Dark."
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Adventist Community Services Retreat at Leoni Meadows
Leoni Meadows, Northern California Conference Retreat Center
Each year, the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (NCC) puts on a four-day retreat for their Adventist Community Services workers—a retreat full of fun activities, workshops, and spiritual renewal. This year the NCC extended the invitation to Renewed Heart Ministries to come and share four presentations during their retreat. The responses were extraordinary. One evening toward the close of the retreat, a 76-year-old man came up to me in tears. He threw his arms around me and then expressed, “I’ve had the wrong picture for 76 years. I have the wrong picture for 76 years!” I asked Him to explain and he simply stated, “I have had the wrong picture of our God for 76 years; thank you so much for showing me this week His love.”
Also during this week I was privileged to meet Phyllis Hendry, president of Lead Like Jesus ministries, an interdenominational Georgia-based Christian leadership ministry associated with Christian leaders such as Ken Blanchard, Rick Warren, Laurie Beth Jones, Bill Hybels, Rosey Grier, Dan Cathy, and Phil Hodges. What impressed me most about Phyllis is her deep devotion to Jesus Christ and the incredible clarity in which she is able to inspire others to follow Him. After my final presentation on Calvary, Phyllis met me at the door. “Now that was the Gospel!” Phyllis, if you happen to be reading this, I wish you Godspeed. I look forward to seeing you in the kingdom.
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Pleasant Hill Community Encounters Life Unlimited!
Pleasant Hill, CA
After experiencing God’s love anew at Redwood Campmeeting last year, the Pleasant Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church wanted to share what they had encountered with the community surrounding their church. We covered seventeen presentations over the course of ten days which were dedicated to seeing the truth of the Character of Love through the lens of Seventh-day Adventist teaching. And what an amazing experience it was! We had over 65 visitors from the community attend, five folks accepted Jesus as their Savior for the very first time, five other folks requested more information on baptism, and eleven more signed up to continue with Bible Studies. These were responding positively to our unique teachings such as the Sabbath, the State of the Dead, Annihilation, and some of our prophetic understandings--all as a means of more deeply understanding and experiencing God's love for us in the light of the cross.
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The Beginning of the End of All Things is at Hand!
Highland Academy, Portland, TN
It was my great honor last month to be given the privilege of sharing in the Highland Academy class of 2007's graduation ceremony. During the school year of 05-06 we had an incredible experience together during their fall week of prayer. Over seventy-five percent of the student body made decisions for Jesus that week. This year I was asked to come back and deliver the 2007 graduating class's commencement address. You can download this eight-minute presentation for yourself on the resource page of our website. To the class of 2007: May your aim "to finish His work" be the aim of us all. Congratulations!
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A Rich Weekend of Awakening
Show Low, AZ
This weekend was another amazing weekend for all involved. The seminar presented was The Awakening based on the principle that by love, love is awakened. The testimonies expressed this weekend made it evident that a deeper view of God’s wondrous love for us had, once again, awakened deeper devotion and commitment to Him and to His call to proclaim the truth of His character of love to this dying world. (Christ Object Lessons, pg. 416)
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Students’ Lives Changed at Mount Vernon Academy
Mt Vernon, OH
During their spring week of prayer, Mt Vernon Academy’s students were deeply stirred as they began to have their pictures of God corrected and were able to see the true beauty of His character. The value of our young people cannot be overstressed. The themes discussed were the following: the importance of having a correct picture of God, why bad things happen to us if God loves us, the purpose for which we were created, God’s forgiveness, and the transforming effect God’s love has on each of us in awakening in us the desire to live other-centered lives. The week climaxed with an incredibly life changing encounter with God’s love as revealed through Jesus sacrifice at Calvary. Over 50 young people came forward and made decisions for Jesus.
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Life Unlimited in Mesa, AZ
The Mesa Palms SDA Church sponsored the Life Unlimited series for their community as well. Thirteen folks gave their lives to Jesus and are on their way to Baptism. Praise God! To top it all off, Dallas Holmes contributed by giving a Saturday night Gospel concert to close the series. It was truly an amazing event.
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Extravagant Love in Turlock, CA
Extravagant Love is a series that goes through each of our unique many-faceted Adventist teachings and shows what each reveals about our heavenly Father’s character of Love. The Turlock SDA Church wanted to present this series in an endeavor to reach out to those who no longer were fellowshipping with them. Incredible miracles took place during that week, as folks experienced God’s love for them in a fresh and deeply life-changing way. Some of the attendees had not stepped inside a church in over thirty years. Keep up the good work Turlock!
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Mosaic Christian Fellowship
Dallas, TX
During this weekend, the most commonly held misconceptions concerning God’s character were compared to Jesus’ teachings along with Adventism’s unique understandings. It was a truly amazing weekend, as many, for the first time, saw God. Many encountered Him and His love for them as they never had before. Hearts were healed and lives were deeply changed for eternity. One attendee wrote, “I cannot thank you enough for this weekend and for doing the ministry that you are doing.”
May God continue to bless you my friend.
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Penn Valley SDA Church
Penn Valley, CA
After the Redwood Campmeeting last summer in Northern California, these excited church members wanted to share with their fellow church members what they had experienced. We had a great weekend there in Penn Valley, as we fellowshipped together, basking in the extravagant love of our Heavenly Father.
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Life Unlimited in Pullman, WA
Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Life Unlimited is a 10 day/17 presentation series designed for folks in our communities. This series offers practical help in the areas of emotional healing through the truths of the Gospel, better health through our Adventist health message, greater spiritual fulfillment through perceiving God’s character as revealed through a more Biblical understanding of doctrine and prophecy, mental development through learning to study the Bible for yourself, and lastly, financial freedom through learning the basic Biblical financial principles of tithing, budgeting, and debt-free living. Many of our attendees had never encountered Adventism’s unique life-enriching teachings before. Out of all who attended, over forty folks responded positively to the Sabbath, the Final Fate of the Lost, the State of the Dead, and our understanding of prophecy, including the 2300 days, all presented in the light of God’s character of love. Each of these new friends is currently enrolled in weekly Bible studies through the local church.
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Clarksburg SDA Church
Clarksburg, WV
Over a year ago, I was given the opportunity to present an evangelistic seminar in Clarksburg, WV. At the beginning of this year, I was privileged to go back again, but this time for a weekend series of presentations. It was in this church that I met a woman who, thirty years ago, gave birth to a son while being an unwed mother. She shared with me that she was told by a minister of an unnamed church at that time that neither she nor her son would ever go to heaven because he was illegitimate. I will never forget the night she came to me after a presentation on God’s forgiveness with tears streaming down her cheeks. Initially all she could say was, “Thank you,” over and over again. She looked into my eyes and then said softly, “For the first time in thirty years, I feel as if there is hope for my son and me. Jesus’ death was for us.” She brought her son the next night, and both gave their hearts to Jesus.
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