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Meeting in Person During the Pandemic

Meeting in Person During the Pandemic

On September 7, 2020, Come and Reason Ministries posted to our Facebook page announcing that our Healing the Mind in a Broken World Seminar would be held October 3, 2020, at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Several people posted comments expressing their concerns that we would hold such an event during the China virus[1] pandemic (a.k.a. COVID-19). Below is my response and an exchange with an online follower.

We are reproducing it here as many don’t follow our Facebook feed.

Some have voiced concerns that we are running this event during the current virus pandemic. Of course, one variable to consider is the risk of the virus—but this is not the only variable to consider in regard to human health and wellness. Millions (if not billions) of people suffer from depression, relationship conflict, consequences of past traumas, addictions, and psychological and emotional distress and pain.

For many of these struggling people, the restrictions currently in place have served to increase their stress and, in many cases, have caused them injury and pain and have worsened their suffering—contributing to increases in depression and substance abuse. Increased stress also contributes to increased domestic and child abuse rates. More than ever, many are in need of resources that can help them cope and heal.

This conference is creating resources for hurting and struggling people. Do we respect others enough to allow them to make their own decisions in regard to what health issue is of greatest importance to them, or do we want to prevent suffering people from participating in activities that would bring healing to their minds, hearts, and families?

When we focus only on the virus, we may mean well, but we may also inflict harm on others. That is why freedom is so important; it allows others to weigh the issues and determine for themselves what action is best in their circumstances. But this requires a level of maturity and love. When we act on fear, concern for self, we are often led to seek to control others in order to make ourselves feel safer. Fear is our enemy and, sadly, it is what drives so much of our society today.

Reply from online follower:

Well spoken and if you are being so open and transparent then expose your rationale by revealing how much you expect to net in profit and how you are generating this revenue. These emotional issues are real and professional care is important but why not volunteer your services to area hospitals for those in need. This just another refit making venture that will place your expected participants in danger. Again, will yoyu accept the costs of anyone that catches covid or will the taxpayers of Tennessee be responsible. I fault the Governor for not placing a stop gate for such gatherings and. I ask the mayor of the city is there no life bigger than a print?

My reply to the above comment:

Come and Reason Ministries will not make a profit on this event. Indeed, we are a not-for-profit ministry and will expend resources to present it. Then we will create enduring materials (such as videos) that we will distribute for free.

Over the past 10 years, we have given away around $1 million worth of free materials to people around the world—and we will continue to make them freely available. We have never put on a fundraising drive, nor do we send out emails soliciting funds. Our approach is “the more you give, the more you shall receive.” So we give away resources and then accept support from those who have been blessed by those resources and freely choose to donate to help us produce more resources to share with even more people.

I am one individual who can reach and help only a limited amount of people by volunteering or doing one-on-one counseling. However, by creating enduring materials that can be widely shared, then hundreds of thousands, potentially millions, can be reached. We have received emails and letters from all over the world of lives that have been changed, hearts healed, depression relieved, and relationships reconciled because of these resources. And these lives would not have been helped had we restricted ourselves to our local community.

Finally, you appear to be overestimating the dangers of this virus, but regardless of the dangers from this or any other community virus (such as annual influenza), the mature approach with this type of a risk (more than 99% of infected recover) is to inform adults of the risks and leave them free to make their own choices. It is quite sad that a disease in which more than 99 percent of the infected recover is presented to the public as something so terrifying that people become so afraid that they are willing to not only surrender their freedoms but are eager to take freedoms from others.


[1] If you are uncomfortable with this terminology, please note that on September 15, 2020, Chinese virologist Dr. Li-Meng Yan, who worked at the World Health Organization’s reference lab in Hong Kong and has examined the genetics of this virus, which is like a fingerprint, stated that this is not a natural virus but is manmade. And the virus used is one that is known to be from the Chinese military viral research lab and had been modified to infect humans. She used the analogy of having a cow with a deer’s head, rabbit’s ears, and monkey’s hands. If you saw such a creature, you would know immediately that it was not an animal from nature. For those who understand viral genetics, that is what this China-virus is like. So, according to Dr. Li-Meng Yan, the evidence supports that this is a virus created by humans, specifically the Chinese military, and released purposely; thus, calling it the China-virus is the most accurate description. https://www.foxnews.com/media/chinese-virologist-government-intentionally-coronavirus

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Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 27

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 13

I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, USA

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.