| Author | Message | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 9937 Registered: 12-2003  |
I'm posting this at the request of another forum member who wants to share this itinerary with a prayer chain she's part of. I am so grateful to all of you who are praying for this summer's meetings. I cannot explain my "sense" about this tour, but it seems to me that God is opening doors and making it possible for more and more people—especially in the wider Christian community—to know the truth about Adventism. First, I'll list the overall itinerary; then I'll note some special prayer requests. June 9, 10, 2009 Sacramento/Auburn, California First Baptist Church of Auburn 139 E. Placer St., Auburn, CA 95603 Ratzlaffs and Tinkers June 12,13, 2009 Roseburg/Days Creek, Oregon Foundation Fellowship (Formerly First Baptist Church, no website) 813 SE Lane, Roseburg, Oregon 97470 Ratzlaffs only June 26, 27, 2009 Lincoln, Nebraska Lincoln Berean Church 6400 S. 70th St., Lincoln, NE 68516 Ratzlaffs and Tinkers July 7, 8, 2009 St. Joseph/Berrien Springs, Michigan Chapel Evangelical Free Church 4250 Washington Ave., St. Joseph, MI 49085 Ratzlaffs and Tinkers July 10, 11, 2009 Miamisburg, Ohio New Hope Community Church 1999 Belvo Road, Miamisburg, Ohio 45342 Ratzlaffs and Tinkers August, 2009 Huntsville, Alabama Date and location will be announced Ratzlaffs only Prayer Requests • Please pray that God will bring those to the meetings who need to come and keep away any who should not attend. • Pray for Dale's health and strength and for God's Spirit to be in him powerfully, giving him authority and His own words. • Pray for God's protection of and blessings on all those hosting meetings and speakers. • Pray for safe, uneventful travel for Ratzlaffs, Tinkers, and also for Paul Carden who will attend and speak in Michigan. • Pray that God will glorify Himself powerfully in the lives of all who attend, and pray that all those who speak and participate will be filled with the Spirit and will know Jesus more deeply. • Pray that God will protect all participants, attendees, and venues from harassment and spiritual opposition, and pray that God will also protect their families. • Pray that God will continue to provide all that is needed for this trip and for Proclamation, and praise Him for being utterly faithful. I am so thankful for this forum family. God has given us a great blessing in each other. Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 4928 Registered: 9-2006  |
Amen Colleen, I pray that God will honor this great effort. | ||
| Blessed Registered user Username: Blessed Post Number: 324 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thanks Colleen for putting this together for us. I have approximately 20 people that I can send this to for prayer. | ||
| Gcfrankie Registered user Username: Gcfrankie Post Number: 460 Registered: 1-2007 |
I am praying that God will shine His many blessings down on all of you and lets it shine on those who come to hear you as you put one foot in front of the other for His word and teachings. Gail | ||
| Jrt Registered user Username: Jrt Post Number: 579 Registered: 10-2008 |
Praying ... Keri | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 6998 Registered: 3-2004  |
Colleen, thanks for posting the itinerary and the prayer requests. The Tinkers, Ratzlaffs, and Paul Carden are in my prayers. Father in Heaven, Thank you for the Tinkers, the Ratzlaffs, and Paul Carden. Be with them as they travel and speak. Give them the words to say. Bless each person that attends these meetings that they will hear and learn what You want them to hear and learn. Thank you awesome God for hearing and answering this prayer. Diana L | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 9943 Registered: 12-2003 |
Just because things scroll off the screen, I'll repost the itinerary her along with the update on the Atlanta meetings. First, I'll list the overall itinerary; then I'll note some special prayer requests. June 9, 10, 2009 Sacramento/Auburn, California First Baptist Church of Auburn 139 E. Placer St., Auburn, CA 95603 Ratzlaffs and Tinkers June 12,13, 2009 Roseburg/Days Creek, Oregon Foundation Fellowship (Formerly First Baptist Church, no website) 813 SE Lane, Roseburg, Oregon 97470 Ratzlaffs only June 26, 27, 2009 Lincoln, Nebraska Lincoln Berean Church 6400 S. 70th St., Lincoln, NE 68516 Ratzlaffs and Tinkers July 7, 8, 2009 St. Joseph/Berrien Springs, Michigan Chapel Evangelical Free Church 4250 Washington Ave., St. Joseph, MI 49085 Ratzlaffs and Tinkers July 10, 11, 2009 Miamisburg, Ohio New Hope Community Church 1999 Belvo Road, Miamisburg, Ohio 45342 Ratzlaffs and Tinkers August 4-5, 2009 Huntsville, Alabama Date and location will be announced Ratzlaffs only Prayer Requests • Please pray that God will bring those to the meetings who need to come and keep away any who should not attend. • Pray for Dale's health and strength and for God's Spirit to be in him powerfully, giving him authority and His own words. • Pray for God's protection of and blessings on all those hosting meetings and speakers. • Pray for safe, uneventful travel for Ratzlaffs, Tinkers, and also for Paul Carden who will attend and speak in Michigan. • Pray that God will glorify Himself powerfully in the lives of all who attend, and pray that all those who speak and participate will be filled with the Spirit and will know Jesus more deeply. • Pray that God will protect all participants, attendees, and venues from harassment and spiritual opposition, and pray that God will also protect their families. • Pray that God will continue to provide all that is needed for this trip and for Proclamation, and praise Him for being utterly faithful. I am so thankful for this forum family. God has given us a great blessing in each other. Colleen | ||
| Hec Registered user Username: Hec Post Number: 242 Registered: 3-2009 |
I am praying. Hec | ||
| Psalm107v2 Registered user Username: Psalm107v2 Post Number: 279 Registered: 10-2008  |
Praying in my corner Enoch | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 615 Registered: 6-2005  |
Hey Colleen, what Atlanta meetings? I want in on that info, count me in. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 9950 Registered: 12-2003 |
Richard will update the Atlanta info on the website tonight. You can see the schedules here: http://lifeassuranceministries.org/summertour2009.html The Atlanta meetings will be August 4, 5, 2009 and are being coordinated by Kenneth Brantley. I don't have the location and times right at hand right now, but tonight we should get that posted. I'm planning to blog updates of the tour as the meetings go on. Right now we're on our way to Auburn, CA. Dale and Carolyn are already there. The first meeting is tomorrow evening; I'll plan to post updates as events transpire. I want to thank all of you again for praying throughout this tour. Richard and I are traveling today, and we're thankful for your prayers. Colleen | ||
| Hec Registered user Username: Hec Post Number: 252 Registered: 3-2009 |
I'm still asking when is Orlando. Not fair, not fair, not fair. OK, little kid, calm down and stop the tantrum. Just pray. OK. I'll pray that the tour be a blessings for many. Colleen, thanks for posting the updates. That will help us "poor tantrum kids" who won't have access to a meeting. God bless, Hec | ||
| Esther Registered user Username: Esther Post Number: 493 Registered: 5-2004 |
I have to say that for me, with St. Jo being 'downstream' from the Auburn meetings...I'm soooo anxious to hear how it goes! Thanks Colleen for keeping us updated! And we are praying. | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 4964 Registered: 9-2006 |
Hec, the reason they ain't coming down there is that you got skeeters, snakes and gators! You got to go north to get in on these meetings. The Tinkers and the Ratzliffs are Californians, didn't you know Californians don't know how to hunt with a spot light? If you would of went on to third grade like yore Momma said to, you woulda knowed all this stuff! The smartest one of that bunch down there is Leigh Anne and she's too busy bustin' dirt clods with a tractor to teachem' anything. Esther, don't you know they cars and Airplanes to ride in and you don't have to paddle upstream any more? If yall weren't all turnip eaters I wouldn't have to spend so much time educatin' youins' River | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 616 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hec, Come up to Atlanta, its 7 hours, I've driven it a thousand times! Between all us formers, we should be able to help locate a place to crash for you and yours. Colleen and Richard, COME TO ATLANTA! Come for R&R and refreshing. I think we should schedule and end of tour rest for you all. Carol has the perfect spot. Ill call her and tell her I volunteered her digs!  We will pray refreshing back into you all, and celebrate life out of the shadow system and into the full substance of Jesus. Lori And Mary will have to come down! And whoever else. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 9958 Registered: 12-2003 |
First update: we arrived at Auburn last night. We're staying at the home of some former SDAs in this area who have been the organizing force behind the meetings in this area. Last night we had a wonderful potluck barbeque with our host family's Bible study group in their backyard. The group consisted of former and questioning Adventists and the hosts' grown children and families. After eating the wonderful coal-baked potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, barbequed chicken, meatballs, various salads, and fresh, warm cherry pie and ice cream, people began to ask questions. A couple of women are struggling actively with Adventism; one has left but still is sorting out what's true and what's not, and another has not left yet but is agonizing over Sabbath. Dale fielded questions and and gave great answers, while many of the others present also chimed in with responses and comments. The woman struggling with Sabbath is a convert (30 years ago) from Catholicism. She is especially struggling with the phenomenon Esther described on another thread of having her beliefs upset. We challenged her to go home and read the book of Galatians before tonight's meeting, asking God to show her what He knows she needs to know right now. Today has been a lovely, slow day (by our standards, anyway!) We got up late, and I even took a nap! The weather is unusually cool; we've had clouds with occasional breakthroughs of sun, and the surroundings are totally beautiful here in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. We're in Doug Batchelor country here; Sacramento, where his church is, is about 30 miles from here. We're also just down the hill from Weimar Institute, which Amazing Facts now owns as well. We are grateful for everyone's prayers. The meeting tonight begins at 7:00, PDT, and our hosts know of quite a number of people, from Adventists to evangelicals, who will attend. I'll let you know how the meeting goes later! Praying for God to glorify Himself, Colleen | ||
| Seekinglight Registered user Username: Seekinglight Post Number: 206 Registered: 3-2009 |
Thank you for the update, Colleen. I'm constantly sending prayers up for the meetings. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 9960 Registered: 12-2003 |
I was too tired last night to write about the first meeting, so I'll write about it and tonight's meeting now. Last night there were exactly 100 people present in a church that seats 200. Auburn is close to Sacramento, but it is, itself, a small town in a more-or-less rural, mountain-foothill area. The attendance was actually very good considering the area. The church provided a small praise team that led us in two songs--the first was "Before the Throne of God above". The songs were wonderful. Richard and I told our faith story, and then Dale gave his 40-minute talk on the 10 ways Adventism differs from evangelical Christianity. It was very good--and then Dale, Carolyn, Richard, and I took questions from the audience. Richard moderated the panel. We met some people we'd never seen before who we "knew" by name only...it was wonderful. There were also quite a few people there from the local church and the community. Dale gave away his book, "Truth about Adventist 'Truth'" to all who came. There was really great response. One of the biggest impressions I got was the courage and risk the pastor took to offer his church for these meetings. But the pastor, who has been getting Proclamation for a while, persuaded the board to allow us to come. The evening went well and seemed to be well-received. Colleen (Message edited by admin on June 12, 2009) | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 9961 Registered: 12-2003 |
Day 2 Today Dale presented "The Sabbath Trap:" and "The Transitional Path" at 3:00 to a small audience that nevertheless contained several pastors from different local churches. He presented, in brief, the classic Adventists arguments for the Sabbath that Adventist evangelists use, and then he explained the fallacies of those arguments and explained what Adventists need as they begin to transition out. He explained that first and foremost they need the gospel, then they need to settle the question of authority. Several pastors talked to Dale and asked further questions after his presentation. This evening opened with a praise team leading us in singing two songs again, and Carolyn Ratzlaff told her story of discovering the gospel and of finally leaving Adventism. Today was Dale and Carolyn's 52nd wedding anniversary, and after Carolyn's story, Dale went up and reminisced that almost exactly 52 years ago to the hour, his bride walked down the aisle. He asked her to come up to the front again, and he gave her a lovely orchid corsage. Carolyn was totally surprised and overcome; it was very sweet. Dale's talk tonight was entitled, "What About the Fourth Commandment?" He gave it to another crowd of about 100--someone said they counted 99 people. It was a very concise and powerful presentation of the new covenant. Again we followed the meeting with a Q & A session, and we had some very interesting questions including, "How do Adventist beliefs affect an Adventist congregation?" and "Comment on the statement from an SDA evangelist that there's no difference between a pastor committing adultery and the bar tender down the street committing adultery." And so forth! There were several former Adventists there; it was great to meet our own Christo tonight! After the evening meeting we had a reception in the church fellowship hall for any who wanted to talk. Most people came; it turned out that it was a wonderful time for formers to exchange stories and encouragements and also for others to talk further with the formers present. The reception doubled as a reception for Dale and Carolyn; they toasted each other with sparkling cider, and we got them an anniversary cake. We also served strawberries and grapes, fresh veggies and chips with dip, and cookies and punch. All in all, the meetings were successful with people being very receptive and responsive. Some present were formers, there were a few Adventists, some were local church members, and some came from farther away because of the advertising done in advance. God blessed the meetings; it's hard to say the effects of them completely, but He was present, and truth was powerfully stated. We praise God for this opportunity! Dale and Carolyn leave tomorrow for Roseburg, OR, and Richard and I return home until time to leave for Lincoln. I'll keep you posted! Thank you for your prayers! Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 4971 Registered: 9-2006 |
Thanks for the up-date, any way I can call Dale Friday afternoon in Roseburg? I will probably check in around 12 and then take an hour nap, then I'm primed. River |
