Two Book Releases from Shelley Warner
This is Shelley Warner with her first book “A Very Present Help.” She compiled this collection of stories and poems after the loss of her husband, Tom Warner, who was an Advent Christian pastor in Oregon, Maine and California. “A Very Present Help” is available on Amazon. The description on the back describes the theme of the book:
“When Shelley Warner entered an ICU room, where her brother lay in a coma after a drowning accident, she wondered what to say to him. The only encouragement that came to mind was a verse: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Over a period of years, she had been writing stories about God’s help—not just in times of trouble—but in good times too. This book contains stories of liberation from a works-oriented Christianity, stories of God’s provision, stories of blessing, and stories of struggle.”
A poem on page 123:
An army of sorrows marches onward
Every now and then a combatant stops
And takes aim at me.
I am toppled but not destroyed; for:
Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army,
Says the Dive in the book of Chronicles
For the battle is not yours, but God’s
So I will hold out against despair
And still be standing at the end.
(Quote is from 2 Chronicles 20:15, NLT)
This is Shelley with her second book “What Remains Behind,” which came out two years ago. It contains some writings by her husband, Tom Warner as well, including his beloved sermon, “Too Much to Bear, God Will Be There.” “What Remains Behind” is also available on Amazon.
The description on the back cover gives a short overview:
“’What Remains Behind’ is taken from a Wordsworth poem that speaks of grieving and finding strength in what remains behind. For Shelley, what remains behind are memories, grief recovery, a sense of purpose, spiritual and personal discovery, and a surprising joy.”
An excerpt from page 12:
Tenacity
One morning, the rain beat against my windshield as I drove the children to school. I thought about some rough moments over the past days as a single parent/grandparent/guardian. My granddaughter had been throwing tantrums. I had responded impatiently. Suddenly, a children’s song popped into my mind…
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain,
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.
I sang it out loud. Then again. And again. That took a lot of tenacity on the spider’s part, I told myself. He didn’t give up. And neither will I.
“From the Cradle to the Grave and Beyond” by Clint Taber Now Available
This book is all about us – you and me, and the seven billion people who call this planet home along with the billions more who have lived here since the first human being was created.
The journey is getting longer as we move along. None of us had a clue about what the journey would be like, where it would take us, or what we would encounter along the way. There is so much we don’t know. We are all sojourners in this thing called life.
This is not a science textbook or a theological textbook. The goal of this writing is to answer a few of the most perplexing questions the ordinary person has about our journey. We will explore our quest for life and attempt to discover why it never materializes into what the inner being longs for. We will analyze the history of humanity beset by various calamities and attempt to discover what causes the distress we experience. In the end we will look at how the journey ends for everyone and what lies beyond.
In “From the Cradle to the Grave and Beyond” Rev. Clinton Taber reflects on nearly 90 years of life and nearly 70 years of ministry considering how great biblical truths have shaped his life and ministry. In a journey that begins in Creation and ends in the Consummation of all things in Christ, Rev. Taber provides the reader with a sound biblical and theological worldview to navigate his or her own personal journey through this life and the next. With a pastor’s heart, he guides readers through the critical scriptural truths necessary to journey through life and arrive safely at the end.
This book is available from Amazon.com.
Survey for Pastors and Church Leaders
Pastors/Church Leaders: Would you take 5 minutes to help our students by completing a survey? At the Berkshire Institute for Christian Studies (BICS), we’re offering a new course in the upcoming spring semester called “The Local Church and the Mission of God.” This new course explores the doctrine of the church from a biblical and theological perspective and seeks to help students understand the centrality of the local church within the mission of God. As we finish designing the course, we would love to have your input! Since our primary aim is to prepare students to be faithful members of their local churches, we’re hoping to include the insights of pastors/church leaders like you. You can take the 5-minute survey here: https://berkshireinstitute.org/pastor-survey/. Thank you in advance for helping us in our work to disciple young adults by grounding them in God’s Word and helping to prepare them to flourish for God’s kingdom. For more information about BICS or about this course, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us here.
Save the Date: ACV Winter Retreat
Advent Christian Village is hosting a winter retreat March 5-8, 2022. Come to Dowling Park for a time of spiritual enrichment, fellowship and fun!
Click here to view the Save the Date flyer.
Darkness to Light Training Available for Your Church
Darkness to Light is a non-profit organization dedicated to “empowering adults to prevent child sexual abuse” (d2l.org). We offer a free two-hour certificate class to any church that is ready to equip their people to prevent, recognize and respond to incidents of child sexual abuse. ACGC has three certified facilitators on staff that will deliver this training as travel and schedule allows.
The facilitator-led group training utilizes the following:
- A two-part DVD presentation with commentary from sexual abuse survivors, experts in the field and concerned adults.
- Facilitator-led discussion emphasizing important issues in prevention within the community and organizations that serve children and youth.
- An interactive workbook facilitating discussion, reinforcing key concepts, and serving as a resource and personal action plan for resolving child sexual abuse(d2l.org).
D2L training will give you practical steps toward prevention and the framework to recognize children who may be in danger. The accompanying workbook contains valuable action steps that provide a path from abuse recognition to resolution. So far, we have trained 571 people. We would love to see that number increase as we work to make our churches safe havens for the children in our communities.
Let us know if we can assist you in planning a D2L training at your church. If you have any questions about this or other services offered by ACGC, you can email mbroadway@acgc.us or call us at 704-545-6161.
Donation Reminders
We are always grateful for our generous donors and subscribers. If you do send a gift or make a payment to ACGC by check, please remember the following:
Mail all checks to: ACGC, PO Box 690848, Charlotte, NC 28227
Advent Christian General Conference
• Make all checks payable to Advent Christian General Conference or to ACGC
• You can use one check for multiple purposes
• Note purpose(s) on memo line or enclose letter
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Advent Christian Ministers Pension Plan
• Make all checks payable to AC Ministers Pension
• Note minister’s name on memo line
Baptism Updates
Baptisms are awesome, we want to celebrate together.
Please send us the names and dates of recent baptisms and we will include them in upcoming publications! You can e-mail the information to acpub@acgc.us.
Karmon Norris Prayer Chain
If anyone receiving the Karmon Norris prayer requests by email has changed his email address in the last few months, please notify Nancy Brooks at nancybrooks@acgc.us with your new address. Thank you.
Asleep In Christ
Now located on our website is an “Asleep in Christ” page. As we are made aware of your Advent Christian loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord, they will be added to this list. Click HERE to go to this web page. If you wish to have details of your loved one on the website, please send the information via email to cbrock@acgc.us