March - Lake Union Conference

AnnouncementsShenandoah Valley Academy invites youto join in celebrating 100 years ofhistory Apr. 18–20. Centennial Celebrationevents include a golf tournament;George Akers as the Fri. vespersspeaker; Karl Haffner speaking for theworship service; an alumni choir reunionconcert with Waldemar Wensellas director; a Christian music festivalfeaturing various groups; Mike Mesnardpresenting a children’s concert;alumni basketball; a benefit brunchon Sun. and an alumni soccer game.For more information, call SVA at540-740-2202, or visit website www.shenandoahvalleyacademy.org.Oakwood Aeolians Alumni Reunion:Cruise with the Aeolians with AlmaBlackmon to Cozumel, Mexico, June19–23. For more information, see ourwebsite at www.aeolianalumni.org,or contact Tanja Spohn at Tanja@ClassicWorldTravel.com, or call herat 800-777-9529 (Eastern Time).Prices are subject to change.Association of Seventh-day AdventistLibraries 2008 Conference, “LibrariesPARTNERSHIPwith GODPutting Graceto the Testby Gary Burns360°: The Whole Picture,” will beJune 22–28 at Loma Linda University,Loma Linda, Calif. Librariansof all specialties are invited to attend.For registration information,visit www.asdal.org, or contactCarlene Drake by e-mail: cdrake@llu.edu or phone: 909-558-4581.WisconsinWisconsin Academy Alumni, April 25–27.Vespers: Fri., Apr. 25, at 7:30 p.m.in the gym. Sabbath school: Apr. 26at 9:30 a.m., followed by church inthe gym. Music program: 3:00 p.m.Sabbath in the chapel. Hallowed Moments:7:15 p.m. in the chapel. BusinessMeeting: 7:45 p.m. in the HistoryRoom. Basketball games will beginat 8:30 p.m. Golf Tournament: Sun.,Apr. 27—watch for more announcements.Malcolm Anderson (‘71), willbe our organist for the weekend. Therewill be some rooms available in thedorms on a first come basis. If youhave any questions, please contactMarcia Sigler at 920-623-3300, ext.18, or email development@wisacad.He was bright, and backwards with agood dose of obnoxious. I was hispastor, which required that I include him withhis more beautiful peers. A bit of a challenge,to say the least.Realizing my weakness, I confessed my sinand asked for more grace!Things began to change. I no longer checkedthe hallways to avoid the inevitable embarrassingpublic encounters with uncoolness. Ilearned that he was hurting inside—and at nofault of his own.The new image of God that began to emergefrom our conversations seemed alien and forbiddingto him. I discovered why, at a storewhen I was accosted by a very angry man—hisfather. As his voice escalated in proportion tothe veins in his neck, I encouraged him to gowith me outside.I listened calmly to his grievances againstmy ministry—a miracle. Without receiving thetypical response that fueled his anger (and inhis mind justified his actions), he soon ran outof steam.He paused, so I described the life of ourcompassionate and merciful Savior. He triedto interrupt.“You agreed to listen to my response,” Isaid. He was breathing heavy, his face was red,and he shifted from side to side. I continued.A few sentences later he burst out, “I’mnot going to listen to you. You are SATAN!”He continued to rant and rave expletives ashe walked away. “You are SATAN!” he shoutedback to me.Suddenly, a miracle. I saw this sick andtwisted man through God’s eyes. My heart wasmoved with compassion in partnership withthe God of grace.Gary Burns is the communication director forthe Lake Union Conference.Vi s i t w w w. L a k e Un i o n He r a l d . o r g L a k e U n i o n H e r a l d • Ma r c h 2 0 0 8 | 49