Finding a Partner in Life 

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Mr. Rodzaj began his forum to the students by stating: 

“It’s been said that there’s perhaps nothing better than a happy, healthy marriage relationship. In making human beings in his image, God created male and female to exist in a … healthy, mutually beneficial relationship.”

 To achieve this, Mr. Rodzaj provided: seven questions and four essential principles to consider in finding a partner for life. We must be aware, however, that no person is perfect and no one will be able to fulfill all of these questions and principles that are critical for marriage. His goal was for us to have better discernment when looking for a spouse and to reflect on how we ourselves can grow.

He defined a partner as, “Somebody you walk hand in hand with, arm and arm with, through all the ups and downs of life and all the challenges that you face.”

Questions to Consider

  1. Is the person totally committed to God?

To be totally committed to God, a person must have been baptized, had hands laid on to receive the Holy Spirit, and be deeply converted. He gave the example of how “Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it,” (Ephesians 5:25) to illustrate the level of commitment the potential partner must have. Furthermore, we should seek someone who has the same spiritual identity as us, to be of like mind. This will affect how you raise your future kids and the church you attend. Mr. Rodzaj offered some criteria for evaluating if a person is totally committed:

  1. How does the person answer questions on their calling?
  2. Do they have a “criteria” for evaluating which church God is working with?
  3. Do they have a solid personal relationship with God?
  4. Are they seeking God daily?
  5. Do you feel unconditionally accepted by the other person?

Does the other person recognize that people have differences but are still able to accept them? Romans 15:7 states, “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God”. They do not try to change you or make you act a certain way according to their ideals. Everyone has faults, but this does not mean we ignore sin. In addition to your acceptance by the other person, you also need to be self-aware as to how God sees you.

  1. Does the person have emotional maturity?

Consider how your potential mate handles offenses; how do they respond when they’re hurt? How do they deal with family struggles? How do they handle situations that don’t go to plan? If a person isn’t able to handle these situations with emotional maturity, it can cause problems within the marriage.

  1. What are their family priorities?

You should be aware of their family backgrounds and how their family functions in comparison to yours. Know how their parents’ relationship works. Discuss each other’s views on the roles within marriage, namely as a wife and mother and vice versa. If the desires for the future family are not in harmony, then the marriage will be contentious.

  1. Are they financially responsible?

1 Timothy 5:8 states, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Husbands should have a strong work ethic and be able to provide for a family. Wives too have a role to play; they should show self-control and spend the money the husband makes wisely. A partner should be able to live according to a budget.

  1. Do they have a biblical perspective on sex and its place in marriage? 

A future mate should respect that sex is only for marriage and is sacred as Hebrews 13:4 describes. Sex is meant to unite a couple and provide pleasure; it is not for self-gratification. A person’s view on sex and its place in marriage can be observed through their habits as well as their dress. 

  1. How do they respond to authority?

Romans 13:1 states, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Consider these questions:

  1. How does the person relate to those in authority over them?
  2. Do they show respect for authority?
  3. Do they know their limits and boundaries as assigned by man and God? Are they willing to submit to authority?

Principles to Keep in Mind.

Mr. Rodzaj next provided four principles to consider when preparing for a future partner.

  1. Let God be the Matchmaker

He gave the example of how God provided Adam with his wife Eve to show how He will provide a partner for us. We shouldn’t try to force a relationship or take it into our own hands. God needs to be involved, and when it is a relationship that God is guiding, it will always be blessed. Proverbs 19:14 states that “a prudent wife is from the Lord.” 

  1. Remain as objective as you can

Mr. Rodzaj described what often happens the more time two people spend with each other. In his example, they start off on parallel lines but slowly lose objectivity the more time they spend together. This causes the lines to converge. Lack of objectivity can lead to rejection of family and friends’ advice on the relationship and can cause head and heartache down the line.

  1. Never be Afraid to Counsel about a Relationship at any Time

Seek wise and experienced counsel on your relationship, this could be older married couples in the Church or others such as ministers. Do not be tempted to solely rely on the opinion of peers.

  1. If in Doubt about a Potential Marriage Partner, Wait

“You don’t want to rush in. You have the rest of your life ahead…Remember, you’ve got a lot more years ahead of you, and it’s better to spend them happily. You know, this decision will impact the rest of your life”

Final Thoughts

Mr. Rodzaj concluded by pointing out we must be willing to do what is right when it comes to choosing a future partner to be married to. “Wait for the right conditions.” Proverbs 18:22 states “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.” Your future happiness depends on asking the right questions and following the right principles now.

7 Laws of Radiant Health

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How can you stay healthy? Here are 7 laws to help from the “7 Laws of Radiant Health” booklet by Roderick C. Meredith.

Mind Upload – AI, Consciousness, and what the Bible says about the human mind

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Mr. Wyatt Ciesielka was excited to share with the students what he expressed as, “Something that shouldn’t scare them, but to which they should pay attention, in the soon coming future.” He wanted to highlight some of the technologies which he believed most students were aware of on a superficial level, yet had not done an in-depth study on the technology itself, the advancements made, as well as what to expect for the future. He began by asking the students to consider the question, “what is consciousness? He pointed out that there is a depth that can be achieved with the human mind, that sets us apart from animals. The way that man can understand his presence about other things is a base for understanding what consciousness and the human mind is all about. Along with what scientists and technological experts were finding on the subject of the human mind.

“Philosophers want to understand the human mind… while scientists want to integrate with the human mind,” explained Mr. Ciesielka. He emphasized that there is so much intermingling between the technological advancements achieved with the mind and the medical field. He proved this with several examples beginning with that of Jan Scheuermann as far back as 2012! Jan, a paralyzed individual, underwent a procedure that allowed her to control a robotic arm through an implant in her brain. This great advancement provided her with the use of being more self-sufficient and feeding herself chocolate. Even as recently as September 18th, there have been more advances in the field, such as the Neurolink brain implant that received FDA approval. The implications of this being passed have yet to be seen, but it is likely to have a large impact on the medical field. A more shocking report was that AI has gotten so advanced, that it can accurately tell what someone is thinking solely based on their brain waves. These examples provided the students with a more firm realization of the increasing connection between the mind and technology, and how technological advancements may develop in the coming years.

The speaker moved on to say, “We live in a world where we should understand some basic truths.” There may be questions raised about whether machines can gain consciousness, or if a man can upload his mind to the cloud and live forever? With these questions on the rise, the students should give it some thought and be able to provide an answer based on the Bible. Touching back on the question he posed at the beginning, Mr. Ciesielka developed the idea of what the human mind is. He answered questions such as: Why wouldn’t people be able to upload all of their memories and minds to the rapidly progressing virtual world? Would this create a copy of that person, would there be two of them, or does uploading not work at all in that way?

Mr. Ciesielka was glad to explain that the answers to these questions are found readily in the Bible and that these fundamental truths have been understood by God’s church for many years, being written about by Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Weston, and many others!  The first important thing that one must consider is what is human consciousness and the mind. Mr. Ciesielka said that consciousness is a combination of the physical brain and the spirit in man. Job 32 says; “But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.” This shows that it is the spirit God puts in man that mankind gains its knowledge. In Ecclesiastes 12, it shows that the spirit in man belongs to God, and will go back to him upon death. He explained it simply as John 3:6 notes, the mind has a spiritual aspect that cannot be made physical, nor can the physical be made spiritual. Even if one were to upload all of their memories and their mind to the web, they still wouldn’t be able to upload the spirit. There is no way in which man can be himself out of the physical life. With that being proven, that provides the answer to any question of man’s immortality within machines.

Mr. Ciesielka left the students with the call to take away everything they could from the lessons during class, forum, and even those that can be learned from each other in the dorms. He hoped that his message of being prepared for the future and being well-versed in current technology was able to sink in and that the students were able to take it with them. He wanted them to find things like the fascinating advancements in AI, and machines that interest them, while at the same time holding fast to the trunk of the tree of God’s truth he has revealed to them!

The 7 Laws of Success

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Ever wondered how you can achieve success in your life? Here are seven laws to help you achieve it!

Noise and Relationships

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“What does your life sound like?”

Mr. Bueno began his forum by asking us, the students, what the level of noise in our daily lives looks like. Mr. Bueno clarified that “noise” is the unwanted sound around us and affects our concentration, health and relationships, versus “sound”, which is what God made for communication purposes. Whether it be during breakfast, going to work, or trying to study, he wanted us to imagine the noise of everyday life. He asked us just how much control we have over noise in our lives, and if we are using wisdom about what we are hearing.

How Noise Affects Us

Concentration: Noise reduces our productivity and acts as a distraction. Mr. Bueno cited the example of how open plan offices have been found to greatly decrease productivity because of unwanted conversations between colleagues–noise. 

Health: Noise pollution can cause; heart disease, less sleep, and purely be an annoyance.

Relationships: Noise affects our relationship with others and God. Amos 5:21-24 shows an example of its effect on our relationship with God; people were singing songs of praise to God despite disobedience.God even classifies their praises as “noise.”

4 Ways To Remove Noise From our Lives

  1. When listening to yourself: The meditation described in Genesis 24:62 has the connotation of speaking to yourself. To have quality time by yourself, learn to deal with the noise. This can be done by moving to another location, blocking the noise, or choosing to accept the noise when out of your control. Mr Bueno labeled this as “redeeming our eardrums.” 
  2. When listening to other people: Make the conversation a priority by going somewhere quiet to talk. If you have something in your hands, put it down so that you can focus on hearing and listening to the other person. Luke 10:38 shows how Martha in the Bible was distracted with the mental noise of serving when Christ visited her and her sister.
  3. Stop speech writing: Speech writing occurs when a person is so focused on what they are going to say next or how they will respond that they don’t focus on what the person is saying. James 1:19 states, “Let every man be swift to hear, [and] slow to speak.” Showing that we need to prioritize others over ourselves, not creating mental noise while having conversations.
  4. Fear of missing out (FOMO): Don’t let your fear of missing out on the latest news or gossip distract you; remove this unwanted background noise from your life by unplugging from technology.

Noise in Our Relationship With God

Mr. Bueno posed the question, “What type of noise can keep us from hearing God through the Bible?” He went on to describe two ways in which we can remove noise when listening to God. 

First, remove noise when listening to God through the Bible. Deuteronomy 6:3 tells Israel to ‘hear’ what He commanded them. In order to hear what God has to say through the Bible, we need to remove distractions and control our environment. Mr. Bueno mentioned how he wakes up early to do his Bible Study when it is quiet in the house. He explained that, “Approaching God, and removing the noise means actual physical noise but also, just drawing near to, to listen and have a heart that is open to receiving what God has to say through his word.”

Second, remove noise when listening to God through His Holy Spirit. “When we begin talking about removing noise in order to listen to God, we’re getting into the spirit realm of things and thinking about how to be led by God’s spirit.” God’s Holy Spirit can help us better listen to God, and remove the noise, helping us to combat our carnal mind (Romans 8:7-9). 

Final Thoughts

Mr. Bueno ended by repeating the question he began with:

 “What does your life sound like? What are the sounds? What are the noises? How much is in your control and how much is outside of your control?” 

Removing noise from our lives leads to better relationships with others as well as with God. 

Katelyn Wissinger

The Forgotten Key to Individual Growth

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In the forum this past week, Dr. Douglas S. Winnail addressed the importance of reading. He mentioned that if we want to grow and become more well-rounded individuals, we need to understand and utilize this vital tool. He mentioned that while at Living Education, we may not have the time to put his advice into full effect. However, he hoped the knowledge shared with us would create long term benefits for every student.

Dr. Winnail dove into his speech by discussing the drastic decline in the number of people who frequently read. Statistics reveal that between 1992 and 2002, there was a decrease of 17 million people reading books. To put this into perspective, over 25% of American adults do not read a single book throughout the year! However, in an age of YouTube videos and social media some might feel that it’s no big deal if we aren’t reading anymore. 

Why reading matters 

Yet, reading acts the same for our brain as exercise does for our bodies, and there are consequences when we do not stimulate our minds. Dr. Winnail cited one study that found a noticeable drop in communication skills from kids that are on screens, compared to those who were taught the joys of reading. He said that while he was serving as a pastor in England, he did a lot of reading about the European Union. However, the vocabulary and terminology that was used often required a dictionary to look up some of the words, therefore increasing his vocabulary over time. In addition, reading can promote time for reflection. When we read, our mind uses beta wave lengths that stimulate our thinking, compared to the alpha wavelengths that are generated when watching television. And just like our physical bodies, we must do things that keep the mind healthy. 

Requirements for deep reading 

Dr. Winnail next mentioned three guidelines to properly and deeply read. 

  1. Sit Still 
  2. Take Time 
  3. Concentrate 

Concentration can greatly aid in our understanding of the story flow and evaluate arguments which a book may pose, and it also makes the reading process that much more enjoyable. 

How does reading relate to you and me? 

Dr. Winnail explained that Christianity is not only a historical religion, but also a literary religion. He explained how Harvard was established 16 years after the pilgrims on the Mayflower landed at Plymouth, for the explicit purpose of providing an educated ministry for this new land. This shows that even in the early years of our country, people recognized the importance of preparing educated leaders.

In addition to increasing our physical knowledge, and understanding, the Bible stresses the importance of books. Deuteronomy 31:26 says, “Take this book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there as a witness against you.” The Scriptures reveal that God has used educated individuals to fulfill His Purpose. We are told that Moses was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22) and that Daniel and his friends were schooled for three years in the language and books of the Chaldeans (Daniel 1:3-4). Solomon was filled with wisdom and spoke of trees, birds, animals and many other things and that many came to hear his wisdom (1 Kings 4:31-34). How did Solomon acquire such broad knowledge without using this wonderful tool of reading? 

Beyond ourselves 

In addition to striving to become more educated as individuals, we have the responsibility to help children learn to appreciate reading. As Dr. Winnail put it, “Children are made readers in the laps of their parents.” It is critical for the art of reading to be passed on, and this can be achieved by making reading enjoyable for them. Dr. Winnail discussed how when his grandchildren were little, he would read them their favorite books. Often, he would have fun with them by leaving parts out and waiting for their response to his changing the story. Passing on the skill of reading and the joy of reading is the duty of any loving parent or grandparent. 

Closing 

Dr. Winnail concluded the forum by sharing a handout with quotes from famous individuals and their views on reading, along with a list of recommended books. One quote that stood out from Mark Twain was, “The man that does not read good books has no advantage over a man that cannot read.” This focused our minds on the importance that reading holds. If we do not put reading into practice by reading beneficial books, then are we really any better off than a person who never learned to read? 

While we are currently busy with our designated readings, classwork, and activities, all of us are enthusiastic to begin putting the principles of reading into more diligent action. When we realize the importance that reading can have on our mental as well as physical health, we can look forward to exercising our minds! 

Attempting to Sell a Way of Life 

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As the LE students are settling into their routines and working hard in their classes, Mr. Weston, the forum presenter, noted that students may realize by now that the Living Education program is not precisely what they had been expecting. He noted, “The Living Education Program onsite is different from anything you would find anyplace else…and I hope that you will embrace it!”. Mr. Weston went on to share his own Ambassador College (A.C.) experience, some of the lessons he learned while there, and discuss the traditions of A.C. and LE. 

Background 

Mr. Weston was not born in the Church but discovered it around the age of 16. There were seven other students that God worked with from Lompoc High School, which was quite unique. He was not able to attend services until he moved away from home to attend Ventura College beginning in the Fall of 1964. However, he became dissatisfied with the quality of the teachers and classes. Most were uninteresting and did not value the students’ learning. After this, Mr. Weston decided to attend Ambassador College in 1965. While there, the stark differences between the education being offered at Ambassador and the worldly schools became evident. The provided classes were more engaging, taught skills for life, and cared for actual understanding of the lessons.  

Lessons Learned at A.C. 

Government: Mr. Weston communicated that he learnt lessons the difficult way at the start of his time at A.C. “When the boss says to do it a certain way, you do it that way.” Those in charge deserve respect. This key can be applied not just at headquarters where the students work, but also throughout life. 

Priorities: While college classes in worldly higher education institutions may include superfluous information, Ambassador College classes were full of valuable content. Mr. Weston described a situation while he was a student; he skipped a class to get a haircut and received a full letter grade reduction for the entire semester as a result. Students should prioritize classes and work first; “you have to take care of business first and then your pleasure after that.” 

Dating: The world has corrupted what dating means and one should be aware of how they are being influenced by the world in this regard. Mr. Weston noted that when he started attending A.C., he had to learn a new mindset on dating because he had grown up in the world. An example of a date at Ambassador could be a walk. He encouraged the students, just as Ambassador College students were, to date widely. The way students approach dating indicates their difference to those in the world. 

How to Dress and Conduct Oneself: Mr. Weston stated that at Ambassador College, they were directed to learn how to conduct themselves in such a way as to appear before kings, for that is what we are to become. Conduct includes working hard. He pointed to Proverbs 22:9 (NKJV) where the Bible states “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.”  In addition, how a person dresses directly impacts others’ views of them. Clothes can represent a person’s values. 

Traditions 

“Great institutions have great traditions”. Mr. Weston noted how at Ambassador College, they had traditions regarding meals in the dining hall and he related this to how LE has a Friday night dinner tradition. Students host guests and prepare a meal each Friday. These traditions provide memories that students can recall later on in life and students should embrace these traditions. Another tradition at Ambassador College that Mr. Weston pointed out, was the tradition of excellence. “Work with all of your might, to do things with energy, and do it the best that you can, and do it with excellence.” These traditions serve to unite students and create a standard they can all live up to. 

Final Thoughts 

The students were grateful to have received such insight into Mr. Weston’s Ambassador College experience, some of the lessons he learned while there, and the importance of traditions. Just as A.C. had certain standards and culture, so does LE. Those in charge of the Living Education Charlotte program are aiming to create a culture of “purity, honor and respect.” Purity is defined as living according to God’s law. Honor means doing what you know is right even if nobody notices. Respect has to do with how we treat others. The students were encouraged to embrace this culture. 

Mr. Weston reminded the students that they represent LE within the Church and to the world. Living Education has been designed to build quality and consistency as values for students. Students should be promoting this better way of life that is so different from the world. LE students have the ability to make an impact and set an example for youth within the Church. This is akin to the ripple effect, when a stone is thrown, it doesn’t just make a splash, it creates ripples in the water. 

 

Katelyn Wissinger