CLEAN WATER FOR ALL GOD'S CHILDREN

Gov Newsom announced after Poway Chabad attacked: $15 million of 2019-20 California state budget allocated for protection of faithbased institutions. Also nonprofits can apply for grants intended to bolster security- -up to $200,000 in emergency aid.

The paradigm of the relative prosperousness of America and the world under the leadership of President Trump: A report from The Seventh Day Adventists as a microcosm of something which is going right, as a denomination of Protestant Christianity in America which has found substantial tithe increases and the ability to operate under cap; a respectful notice by somebody who primarily attends the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who also wonders if the Mormon Church, Evangelicals, Lutherans, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc. have similar experiences from the past two years. Not a thorough study; just a journal entry from somebody happy to learn about what is called in Southern California and labeled by myself also as Interfaith Studies, or the interest of fostering learning from my end about other Christian faith cultures, which are cross sections I am able to comment on as a direct participator in the believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and also the intersection here is not to politicize with intent to divide, but to think about personal solvency, pride in community and worship, etc. and other positive things. Is this not a clear sign that we are better off now? Can the Democrat Senates pull through to reverse government shut down? Are other denominations of Christianity, and other faiths, then, seeing marked increase in tithes? Which can then be a factual sign of economical sturdiness?

[BLOCKQUOTES FROM "Treasury Report Emphasizes Accountability, Faithfulness in the Use of Funds"

Substantial Tithe Increase

Prestol-Puesán said that so far this year, the church has been blessed with a 9 percent increase in tithe from the North American Division (NAD). It has also experienced good increases from other countries around the world. “We think it is the result, at least in part, of a renewed emphasis that church leaders have been giving to stewardship,” he said, something that has also contributed to the overall financial health of the church.
“The financial statement shows a better picture than a year ago,” revealed Prestol-Puesán. “Even as our income is slightly lower due to lower investment returns, our expenses are lower, and the net results still show a positive number.”

It is remarkable, said Prestol-Puesán, since the strengthening of the U.S. dollar affects the funds received from countries with other currencies. But “the process of hedging on certain currencies has reduced some of the negative effects of the reduction in the exchange rate of key currencies,” he reported.

Prestol-Puesán devoted considerable time of his report to provide clarification about the use of an “extraordinary tithe,” a term used to designate sizable tithe returns given under special circumstances. The GC received the last installment of those funds in late 2017. An article specific to this story is available online.

“We wish to assure the church that the reason why this matter is critical is because we deal with tithe carefully,” he said. “Extra caution is exercised to deal with [tithe] in the most respectful and appropriate manner.”
[...]
Operating Under the Cap

Associate treasurer Ray Wahlen next presented four items recommended by the Strategic Planning and Budgeting Committee. Among them, he highlighted that for the second straight year, the in-house operating budget of the General Conference has been held under the 2-percent operating cap. The operating cap (calculated as 2 percent of global tithe) is the limit for expenditures at the GC headquarters, including salaries and related expenses. Wahlen also reported that budget reserves now top U.S.$13.9 million. “This is the planned portion of the total that was set aside in 2016 to assist the church through the period in which the GC Executive Committee voted to reduce the tithe percentages from North America [NAD].” (Every division other than North America contributes 2 percent of their tithes to the General Conference, while North America contributed 6.35 percent in 2018 and will keep lowering that contribution to 5.85 by 2020 as per voted GC policy.) Wahlen said that financial leaders are thankful budget reserves keep growing. “We praise the Lord that we did not need to use this reserve in 2017, and it is anticipated that this will be the case in 2018,” he said.
[END OF BLOCKQUOTES]

see full article here:
https://www.adventistworld.org/treasury-report-emphasizes-accountability-faithfulness-in-the-use-of-funds/

A teacher that I follow I believe prayed away a stronger hurricane into being a weaker hurricane, and encouraged others to pray with him for the same purpose. While I can't do what he does, I focused with pure intent to do the same for a following other new hurricane. Rain and flooding was foretold to have occurred soon, but it is Thursday, and the heavy flooding predicted for Monday morning through Wednesday night did not come into the area where I live where several weather forecasts had said that these rains would. Unfortunately on the East Coast, many lost their lives. But my helpless feeling about the other hurricane making landfall on the West Coast I turned into sober, long prayer that the floods would be survivable, and instead, yet, thank goodness, they have not come.

In Britain, British were said to have prayed the Spanish Armada into failing with foul weather. How great is your faith?

posted to allpaths