Newsletter   I   JULY 2004

CONSEQUENCES OF FREEDOM When a man decides to exercise his freedom to break God’s laws, he is like a person who ascends to the top of a tall building and jumps off. For the first several stories he feels great. There are no restraints, no restrictions, and no hang-ups. But suppose, ten stories from the ground, he realizes that a sudden stop awaits him and that he doesn’t want to endure it consequences. Can he reverse the falling process? Can you or he stop the fall? Of course not. Thus, in the final ten stories, our tragic character will examine his definition of freedom and realize-too late-that it was wrong.                                                                                                       --Illustrations for Biblical Preaching I’LL DO IT MYSELF! On November 20, 1988 the Los Angeles Times reported: A screaming woman, trapped in a car dangling from a freeway transition road in East Los Angeles was rescued Saturday morning. The 19-year-old woman apparently fell asleep behind the wheel about 12:15 A.M. The car, which plunged through a guard rail, was left dangling by its left rear wheel. A half dozen passing motorists stopped, grabbed some ropes from one of their vehicles, tied the ropes to the back of the woman’s car and hung on until the fire units arrived. A ladder was extended from below to help stabilize the car while firefighters tied the vehicle to tow trucks with cables and chains. “Every time we would move the car,” said one of the rescuers, “she’d yell and scream in pain.” It took almost 2/12 hours for the passers-by, CHP officers, tow truck drivers, and firefighters - about 25 people in all-to secure the car and pull the woman to safety. “It was kind of funny,” L.A. Fire Capt. Ross Marshall recalled later. “She kept saying,” ‘I’ll do it myself.’” There are times when self sufficiency goes too far                                                                                                       --Illustrations for Biblical Preaching There are times when we certainly should help ourselves when we are able but this definitely was not one of them. Although the story seems a little humorous now that the lady is safely rescued, how tragic to think in many similar situations we do the same thing. How many times by your words or actions have you told God, “I’ll do it by myself.” God does want us to do all that we can to live a life pleasing to Him. But don’t be deceived real freedom is realizing that without God’s help we really can’t do anything.                                                                                                       --Pamela Tiberio, ISF Assistant There are several kinds of freedom. There is a freedom that is apparent and one that is real; a superficial freedom, and one that is substantial; a freedom that is temporary and deceptive, and one that is abiding and permanent; one that ministers to the lower appetites and passions, and another that encourages growth in the sweeter things of life. But there is one kind of freedom that is worth the name, and that is the one embodied in the words spoken centuries ago by the Great Master, Jesus Christ: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”                                                                                                       --Booker T. Washington Good News!!! The picture above is of a happy P. D. Stonebraker at our June ISF Gathering in the Ballroom of the William Pitt. I can't tell you how happy he was to see his dear International friends. No matter how he feels physically, seeing dear Internationals like you and sharing with you from his heart creates a tremendous joy. Thank you all for your kind friendship to P. D. Stonebraker and also for your kind friendship to my wife Pam and myself. We count you all to be some of the dearest friends we have ever had. We have asked P. D. Stonebraker to write out the testimony he gave so we can share it with all of you who were not able to be there. Hopefully this will be ready in a few weeks.                                                            --Terry Tiberio, ISF Assistant

LETTER FROM THE ISF ASSISTANT Dear International Friend, Very cordial greetings to you and your family and friends. We hope you are enjoying this beautiful summer weather. Of course, if you live below the equator you are experiencing winter while those of us in the northern hemisphere are planning picnics and summer vacations. Some of you will be visiting various places in the USA for rest and relaxation. Others are taking time to return home to visit their families in other countries. Whatever your plans are we hope it will be a special time for you. During the month of July we take time to celebrate the birthday of our country. Most people will plan a picnic or family time to commemorate the two hundredth and twenty-eighth signing of the Declaration of Independence. Maybe you will enjoy a patriotic concert or attend a parade. The highlight of the day is usually the fireworks celebration which is the grand finale of the day’s activities. Our July ISF Gathering will be on Friday, July 16th, 7:30 PM in the beautiful Ballroom of the William Pitt Union. The William Pitt Union is located in Oakland on the corner of Bigelow and 5th. Avenue. To get to the Ballroom, use the entrance on 5th. Avenue and then follow the signs. At this month’s gathering we plan on having two special people, Byron Manners and his wife Melissa. Byron and Melissa have spent time working with Chinese people and may even try practicing speaking a little Chinese for us. Melissa will also have something special for the children. There will also be a full course dinner, good music, special children’s activities in the Kurtzman Room, but especially good International fellowship. It’s all free, so do plan to come and invite your friends. We hope to see you on July 16th!                                                                                                       --Terry Tiberio, ISF Assistant

ISF JUNE GATHERING (June 4, 2004)