July 2014
Grand Opening – Good Success!
Our Saturday, June 14th, Grand Opening for the Northwest Science Museum Vision Center went very well. From our opening at 10:00 a.m. until well after our closing at 4:00 p.m., we had a constant stream of guests, including a few skeptics. Since the Vision Center is only about 24′ x 24′ (and designed to show in miniature what we are planning on a large scale), we had groups of 10 to 15 guests at a time go through the 20-minute presentations. Roy Meyer helped me in front of the door to gather those who were coming so I could give them a brief introduction to prepare their thinking and open their minds to the evidences of amazing censored science displays.
We heard lots of lavish praise and got enthusiastic responses most of the time. Please pray for Walt and his wife and daughter, the skeptics I talked to. They were very cold and non-receptive to the creation concepts I was sharing with them during the introductory session, but warmed up some when I went to talk with them after the tour. (Roy did the introduction for me with the next group.) I gave Walt a couple of excellent brochures by Werner Gitt, then asked him if he would read my books if I gave them to him. He said, “I wouldn’t buy them – but if you give them to me, I will read them.” I gave him “Ready to Give an Answer” and “Is the Bible Without Any Errors?” Please pray for God to open their hearts and convict them of their need for salvation in Jesus Christ.
To our Volunteers:
Your help for the launching of the Grand Opening of the Vision Center was essential! We couldn’t have done it alone! Without your help it would have been a flop. With your help it was a giant step forward – truly a success. The total that came in that day for book sales and donations was $1,201.69, which is far short of covering the expenses we had for Grand Opening, but it was a big help. The positive is that we still have a good inventory of excellent books and DVDs in our bookstore for those who come to visit the Vision Center. What we do want to say clearly is, “Thank you so much!” We appreciate you!!!
Looking for Northwest Science Museum Partners
Northwest Science Museum is beyond our ability to complete – we need help. This project is to bring glory to God, bring souls to Christ, and to bring positive change to our corrupt culture. When it is accomplished, God gets the glory!
We are looking for partners to help us get a building and support Stan Lutz as our museum curator. Would you like to partner with us?
1. As a prayer partner?
2. As a financial supporter?
3. As a worker? We will need many and varied skills to move ahead with this project.
Northwest Science Museum
P. O. Box 9447
Boise, ID 83707
infonwsm@northwestsciencemuseum.org
Vision Center Location:
1831 N. Wildwood, Boise
(1 block north of Fairview and 1/2 block west of Wildwood on King St.)
If you want to schedule a personal or group tour of the Northwest Science Museum Vision Center, please call 208-972-6288. If you have questions, you may call me (Rick) at 208-467-6563.
Do you know someone with the financial means, who may want to make a matching challenge for NWSM?
Local Publicity
We got some good local publicity about the Grand Opening of the Vision Center on the radio, TV, and newspaper – but that also sparked a lot of negative emails from anonymous critics. We discussed what to do, and I first recommended that we just ignore them, but Brent offered what I consider a better response. He said that he has repeatedly offered critics of Foundations in Genesis to meet with him to discuss their concerns. He has never had any of them accept his offer. Here is my suggestion for a standard reply:
“One of the most famous scientists, Sir Isaac Newton (considered the greatest scientist by many other scientists) made this observation: ‘This universe exists, and by that one impossible fact declares itself a miracle …’
Do you believe that the universe exists? If not, please contact us – we know some very good counselors. If yes, how did it get here? You already believe a huge miracle, so please don’t profess that you don’t believe in miracles. There are only three possibilities for the existence of the universe:
1. The universe is eternal. There are two good reasons why very few, if any, scientists still hold this viewpoint:
A. There is good evidence that the universe is expanding. (The Bible even says God stretches out the heavens – Isaiah 40:22 which also teaches that the earth is a sphere!) ‘It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.’
B. Do you believe that there are still hot objects in the universe? Since heat dissipates, how could there be any hot objects, like our sun, left if the universe is eternal?
2. In the beginning there was nothing – then it contracted into a small dot, exploded, and became everything with no plan, no purpose, no meaning, no intelligence, no design, no inventor. With this model, how do you explain scientifically:
A. How something can come from nothing
B. How order can come from an explosion
C. How information can come from no brain
D. If you believe this, please explain how you can think a rational thought since your brain has no intelligent designer, no meaning and no purpose.
E. How ‘laws of nature’ can appear without a law-giver.
3. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Our premise is “God created the heavens and the earth.” We would invite you to make an appointment with us and we would be glad to discuss with you about science, about purpose, about meaning, about life and all its struggles if you wish. We care about you! Why? Because God cares about you. He loves you more than you love yourself – and He tells us to imitate Him.”
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Even more serious than these pesky “gnats” of criticism I mentioned before was a false accusation of an ethics violation leveled against one of our directors. This could be a serious threat to his job with a government agency. He has cleared the issue with his local supervisor – but it has already been sent to Washington D.C. Please pray!
Radio Interview
On June 15th Tim Wildmon and Ed Vitagliano interviewed me on the phone for American Family Radio concerning my newest book, “More Than Conquerors in Cultural Clashes”. I think it went very well. (At least, David, our son-in-law, really liked it, and our grandson, Scott, said, “It was awesome!” I told him only God is awesome.) I did get to briefly mention Northwest Science Museum. Please pray that this interview and the other publicity will increase the influence of the book and NWSM. If you want to hear the interview, contact Cindy Barnett at AFR at 662-844-8888 or see www.afr.net .
Pray! Pray! Pray for America!
Following is a letter I sent to Lt. General Johnson at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs (written on Memorial Day).
“Lt. Gen. Johnson,
I have four questions for you:
1. Since Mikey Weinstein has the freedom of speech to use the propaganda of falsely naming his anti-Christian organization, “The Military Religious Freedom Organization” while they aggressively squelch religious freedom, why are your cadets forbidden to express their freedom of religion by posting Bible verses on their own whiteboards?
2. Since you seem to be super sensitive about the possibility of offending a few atheists or others with a Bible verse, do you care that thousands, perhaps even millions of Christians in America are angry and offended by this new policy of discrimination against Christians and the freedom of speech for us?
3. On this Memorial Day, do you care that many of our veterans have spilled their blood for our freedom of speech – and now you are robbing our own cadets of their freedom of speech?
4. Do you realize that it is impossible for an atheist to be a loyal American? Why? Because our own founding document, the “Declaration of Independence,” says that we are “endowed by our Creator with these unalienable rights…” How is it possible to be a loyal American while rejecting the Creator Who endows us with those rights? Is it not obvious that to reject our Creator is to reject our founding documents such as the “Mayflower Compact,” the “Declaration of Independence” and our Constitution?
Yours & His,
Rick Deighton”
Pray! Pray! Pray for Ukraine!
(Especially Crimea and the Eastern Cities of Ukraine!)
We are sending you a few selected reports from the past two months in chronological order.
1. From Mike Schrage, Executive Director of Good News Productions, International, Spring 2014 Report:
“Meanwhile, the situation in Ukraine continues to drive us to the Lord in prayer. Our colleagues in Crimea (which is now in the Russian Federation) are amazingly calm and are moving forward with their work. Video projects are being completed, and construction on the Multi-Purpose Resource Center continues. At the same time, Regional Director Sergei Golovin is working in Kiev at both training and teaching. He is working to establish another office that will serve the needs of Ukraine and other parts of eastern Europe. They’re continuing to carry on GNPI’s rich legacy of empowering others with media and evangelism training, even in the midst of adversity.
“They do this so we’ll be able to see more people join the multitudes we’ll meet someday. Have you ever wondered what it will be like in heaven? Meeting Jesus, all sorts of angels, and thousands of believers in their glorified bodies! There will be people there who you’ve helped bring to Christ, that you’ve never met on earth. Partly because of distance, but also because many depend on anonymity to survive.
“As you help GNPI partner with workers in difficult places, we often can’t give you the full story. However, God knows. He’s counted the hairs on their heads. He stores their tears in a bottle. One day we will meet in heaven. Until then, we simply share part of their journey. In heaven, as Paul Harvey says, we’ll hear, ‘The rest of the Story’!”
2. From Zhenya Molodchy 5-12-14:
“We are praying you and Della and your family are doing well. You and Della enjoy the life with the Lord. We pray Sandy and girls are doing well also and for Randy too. We pray they have faith. Our experience of life here became more real if you let me say so. We all experienced here the smell of the war. It makes many of us to reevaluate the lives. Looking back to the war with Nazism, I understand how ugly and terrible it was then. By the grace of God our generation has not seen that. But this makes me trust in the Lord even more and especially in the place He has prepared for us. This is true that ‘Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.’ War brings a lot of grief and pain, but we will be comforted in the Lord Jesus. I came across with your articles on Auschwitz, and they will help me in preparing a sermon.”
3. From Sergei Golovin, May 2014 Report, sent early in June:
“Thank you very much for your care, support and prayers! With a great joy I present you Christian Center for Science and Apologetics May 2014 newsletter.
God is good! Even when some things going on here look like disaster, we have to understand: nothing is new under the sun. But the Lord uses everything for the glory of His Kingdom. Despite the troubles this world and its prince keep supplying us, our team, our ministry and our people with, the Lord keep doing the work of the Kingdom through His people! The challenges that supposed to destroy the mission of the church multiply it instead since the very first day of it.
Due to having two bases now (in Crimea and in Kiev) we managed on the one hand how to ship the resources from Crimea to Ukraine in the same amount we did before, and, on the other hand increased the possibility to supply believers in Russia. God uses bad of the world for better of the Kingdom! Praised be His name!
Yes, our team does face serious limitations and uncertainties at the occupied territory of Crimea. Many issues of the ministry survival there has to be managed from outside, from the mainland country. More we understand what has actually happened, more we see how timely God made me move to Kiev (though it was pretty unexpectedly for us). And He already expands the outcome – the amount of the books we send to Russia grows a lot! Here is one of the responds we got:
‘Your ministry is such a GREAT blessing for us! We receive your updates and news, and enjoy everything we learn from it. For us, parents, who homeschool, the materials you produce are a true help in raising and teaching our children to follow Christ for Him and in His Name. We are looking forward to receiving more Christian textbooks on Science’ Furmanov Andrei, Viborg, Russia.”
Note: Sergei’s newsletter is filled with good news, pertinent prayer requests and optimistic perspectives. To see all of it – or to request it regularly, go to: www.scienceandapologetics.org
4. From Sergei Golovin – sent 6-10-14:
“Thank you very much, brother! Olga is doing much better. We expect the doctor to release her home (i.e. to the apartment we rent here in Kiev) today or tomorrow. She will still have to visit the doctor once in few days as well as will not be allowed to sit for couple weeks – either to lie or walk with a supporting belt on.
“The situation in Ukraine stabilizes well. The new president of the country enthusiastic election (though not recognized by Moscow yet) undermined Russian propaganda about upcoming civil war in the land and reduced the chances of the full scale ‘protecting’ invasion. Russian commandoes are still controlling Eastern regions, but they lost an initiative and we expect them to run back to Russia during a month or two. But it would be naive to expect annexed Crimea be returned in next couple years. Real estate sales are not allowed at the occupied territories, and we are not able to sell our house there for buying something appropriate for life and ministry in Kiev.
“The apartment we rent is much more comfortable than the tents ancient Hebrews were dwelling in. We even have an extra room for the visitors (missionaries, friends, refugees passing by) to stay. But since this is still temporary shelter, we are pretty limited in the ways we can arrange it for the full scale ministry. So, we keep waiting an answer from God. Please keep praying for it with us.”
5. From Steve Yagilnicky, Founder of “The Love Cradle” (Ministry to Orphans):
” Follow-up on happenings in Ukraine.”
“Tensions continue to build in Eastern Ukraine. Full scale military intervention by the Ukrainian Government seems imminent. Many people have fled the region and now are refugees and once full scale fighting starts (update the military offensive has just commenced) there will be many more displaced families.
In Crimea…the start of economic struggles is beginning. Occupancy at Hotels/Resorts are down substantially, with many of them not having any guests. Many stores have started having trouble restocking their shelves.
Reports from orphanages…they are starting to feel the cutbacks in substantial ways. (everyday need items are becoming more difficult to purchase because of funding cutbacks)
The Christians of Ukraine are praying, let us come along side them and pray with them.”
6. From Zhenya Molodchy 6-23-14:
“We are getting ready for the camp now. The situation in Ukraine is getting worse. Terrorists do not follow the peaceful proposal of our president. Now we have refuges from Lugansk and Donetsk and other cities. Tomorrow I will be taking part in major pastors meeting to see how we can help in coordination of the refugees. I am going to the border and the place where they flee. I need your prayers.
I also need Lord’s guidance. It may also happen that we will have to serve refugees on the camp grounds in Mospanovo.”
7. From Janice Lemke, Lemke Update 7-3-14:
“JULY 4th: Knowing how hard life is in many other countries makes me grateful for the privilege and blessing of American citizenship. Hope you enjoy your day, however you celebrate it.
“Long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King!”
UKRAINE:
Cory talked recently to a good friend in Crimea, who painted a bleak picture. Instead of the the crowded streets and beaches typical of summer, the lack of cars and people is eerie. “It’s like it’s winter.” Food and fuel prices have doubled or tripled. Tourist attractions and hotels are empty. A church held a family camp at the Efas Center in June, but otherwise they have just two reservations for two rooms, one in July, one in August. They may hold another event in September, “if there isn’t war.”
Cory said, “You can relax this summer,” but no, he has other pressures, related to Russia’s takeover. Churches must get registered. New laws prohibit church activity in homes or public places, including programs for children. On the positive side, the crisis has stirred renewal in prayer. Christians throughout Crimea pray every morning 6:30 to 7:00 for peace and God’s help.
Many people who voted to join Russia regret their current status. Without tourists, income has dried up, but they must pay new taxes. Many are leaving Crimea, because of no business prospects. The cost of leaving is also high with frequent carjackings and inflated train tickets. Few trains run now. A train ticket purchased in Crimea costs almost five times what you’d pay in Kiev for the same ticket.
I talked to another friend who spoke of difficulties under Russia, but said, “at least it was a peaceful takeover.” Since Ukraine’s new president said, “Crimea was, is, and will be part of Ukraine,” they fear that war from re-taking it will be worse than what is happening in Eastern Ukraine.”
8. From Georges Carillet 7-4-14:
“Rising Deaths, Fury, Agony
Kyiv denies 1,500 troops go missing in east Ukraine battles
Another minister is missing – a pastor of the Greek Catholic Church from Donetsk region… Praying for God’s mercy and protection…
Pray for Ukraine! They report about Russian troops (counting up 50,000) located along the border of Ukraine, starting from Belarus and all the way to the Crimea. There has been information that Russia would send its “peace-making” troops into Ukraine within two days…”
As you can see, the situation is escalating, but our co-workers have amazing faith as they cope with finances, frustrations, and fears.
We can still get funds to fulfill needs in Ukraine through to several of the dedicated mission partners we work with. If you have a great heart for orphans, here are a couple of tangible projects you many want to help Love Cradle accomplish:
“Mattress Program: Phase 1 of a 6 phase special initiative has started.
Phase 1 is to supply an orphanage in Central Ukraine with 100 new mattresses and special covers. Cost for one mattress and protective cover is $75.00. Please share this special need with your churches, study groups and friends. UPDATE: 25 mattresses to date.”
“The 1000 Pair of Shoes Program: An LCI effort to reach 10 orphanages with 1000 pair of shoes is underway. If you or someone you know would like to participate in helping these children with badly needed footwear please visit www.lovecradleint.org or call LCI 215-799-4127 for more details.”
Attitude of Gratitude
Anatoly Schalbyetski does not speak English, but he asked Anastasia (one of Georges Carillet’s faithful co-workers, to convey his deep gratitude . The Schalbyetski family remains in Crimea. Below is a note from those who moved because the government officials took over their Children’s Home building. They are now refugees in western Ukraine.
“Thank you so such for your generous gift! No words would describe how grateful and humble we feel to be loved and cared for so many people. May our Father in Heaven reward you for your faithful service to Him and His children! Georges and Sergei Golovin stopped by last night and we had a wonderful visit.
In Christ,
Andrei and Anya”
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Now we want to convey our deep gratitude to all of you who pray and give so we can share with these in dire need. May Almighty God reward you abundantly!
Yours & His in Jesus,
Rick and Della
Refreshment from The Living Water
We are obviously living in a dangerous, fast-changing world hurling toward the showdown of Christ versus anti-Christ forces. Final judgment looms on the horizon. “Payday Someday” may be closer than we think! “Prepare to meet your God!” Joel 4:12. Are you ready? If not, the Savior’s arms are open wide to enfold you and forgive you as you put your trust in Him. Here is God’s Word on how to respond to His gracious invitation:
” Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31. (NKJV).
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 (NKJV).
For the majority of you, our prayer partners, who are already trusting Jesus, may these powerful verses refresh and renew your weary hearts.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (NKJV).
“For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus our Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us……But since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak.” 2 Corinthians 5:5-7,13 (NKJV).
