One of the most interesting aspects of the fascinating account of Joseph's life is his dying command, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here" (Genesis 50:25). Being ever so close to heaven's reality did not separate him from the joyous certainty of the fulfillment of God's promises for His people. Dying Joseph was certain that his descendants would possess Canaan one day. After all, God had promised they would generations earlier (Genesis 12:7). God kept His promise (Deuteronomy 1:8), and the Israelites carried Joseph's bones with them (Exodus 13:19). I am particularly mindful of this incident at the beginning of a new year.

Numerous columns predicting what 1998 will be like have appeared on a multitude of editorial and op-ed pages. By year's end most of these columns will have been long forgotten, only to be replaced by predictions for 1999. The popularity of such predictions continues because we are a future-oriented people. We have been created in God's image. God created time that from the beginning included a future and, beyond our time on this earth, our eternity. It is fitting for us to want to prepare for the future. Throughout Scripture God stresses the need to be prepared for eternity through God-given repentance and faith in Christ's finished work on behalf of sinners.

In this article I will make some predictions for 1998. I trust these predictions are grounded in God's promises in His Word, and thus we should labor expecting their fulfillment. This is extremely important. Without expectancy, we most likely will not, at least by our actions, work as instruments of the Lord, toward the realization of these promises.

What can we expect in 1998? We can expect the regeneration of the lost to occur. By the end of 1998 many non-Christians will have been regenerated. This has been God's pattern throughout history and it will continue until our Lord's return. Admittedly the Spirit will not necessarily work equally in every country or all communities within a country, but as God's Word is proclaimed, it will accomplish its purpose -- always (Isaiah 55:11). Salvation will be applied to lost souls. Those who reject the Gospel will be under greater judgment.

We can also expect a growth in sanctification in ourselves and in others. Paul wrote these words to the Thessalonians, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification . . ." Paul's words are in the context of abstaining from sexual immorality, but sanctification applies to any sinful path that we walk. At year's end we should see spiritual growth in the thoughts we think, the use of our tongue, how we use our time, our love for God, our love for our wife, our submission to our husband, and our relationship as parents or children.

We can expect growth in others -- even Christians who rub us the wrong way. Too often we believe that other Christians are not going to change. Too often our first impression of fellow believers is our last impression. We want nothing more to do with those people. Such thinking is unbiblical. Peter is but one biblical example of someone who grew in the Lord. He grew in humility and in an understanding of his impulsiveness. We have great reason to pray for our growth and growth in others. To achieve growth in others, God may use you and me as instruments to maintain accountability. We may have to confront others regarding their sin and expect repentance and a renewed, godly commitment to follow.

We can also expect to see a growth in Christian schools, a variety of Christian ministry initiatives, solid churches being established, God calling and sending forth more missionaries (perhaps even some sent from other countries to minister in the United States), and more books being published to aid our study of Scripture, its application to life, and God's work in history.

None of the above is new for 1998. However, if we take it for granted, or for whatever reason do not expect it to occur, we will neither pray for God to work, nor labor expecting Him to work. Instead, we may easily succumb to fear from the dire predictions regarding the economy, the new millennium, or the political scene that fills so much of the media. These predictions may or may not come true. We live in a sinful world and in a nation that deserves God's judging hand. But we do not need to fear. The world is God's. He works all things after the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11). We should labor and pray in the knowledge and expectation of God extending His kingdom and advancing the gospel of the Lord Jesus in all of its ramifications.

THEOLOGY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

No, this article isn't about Monica.

This past Christmas season the American public received greetings from both the first and second families.

On television the first lady extolled the Christian holiday as a time celebrating "the birth of a homeless child who went on to become the Prince of Peace". Unfortunately our first lady spoke blasphemy. Christ didn't become the Prince of Peace, He was and is and always has been. The real success story here does not begin in homelessness but mindlessness, that without basic knowledge and reasoning skills one can rise to lead a country.

Our second gentleman, Al Gore, also liked the homeless twist to Christmas. "And speaking from my own religious tradition in this Christmas season, 2000 years ago a homeless woman gave birth to a homeless child in a manger because the inn was full" (Washington Times, 12/24/97). This statement only confirms that our Vice President has more religious tradition in Buddhist temples than in Christian churches. Jesus wasn't homeless at His birth and neither was Mary. They were away from home the night Mary gave birth. If Christ was homeless, so is every child born in the hospital today. Later in His ministry Christ had no place that He called home, but even then He didn't fit the definition of homelessness today. He wasn't asking for handouts. He and the disciples paid their own way and were welcomed by the faithful from time unto time.

KARLA FAYE TUCKER AND THE DEATH PENALTY

In Texas recently, Karla Faye Tucker was put to death for murders she participated in fifteen years ago. What made this event somewhat significant for Christians was that she gave evidence of genuine conversion to Christ. Christians from around the world, led by the Pope and Pat Robertson, pleaded for her life to be spared.

While the sanctity of life in Scripture mandates the death penalty, still we know of instances when God showed mercy, such as with King David. These are not easy issues to decide; however, the arguments advanced by both the Pope and Pat seemed not to take into account various ramifications of her not being executed. Robertson especially was inconsistent with what would be an orthodox Christian position. Often evangelical Christians allow themselves a freedom to pick and choose which laws to obey, a freedom they seldom afford to the world. Conservative Christians lost much respect in this debate from their fellow political conservatives who do not claim to be Christian, and they lost it not by confessing the truth, but twisting it.

In contrast, some sane and consistent reasoning came from Cal Thomas in the January 24, 1998 issue of World magazine. Mr. Thomas argues: (1) One benefit of the death penalty is to confront those convicted of crimes with their Maker now before they meet Him later and allow them to make peace with God. This purpose was served. (2) If becoming a Christian is the reason for getting a reprieve then "revival" is certain to break out on death row everywhere. (3) The death penalty says a society values human life and will not allow the illegal taking of life by murderers. Mr. Thomas also wonders whether Pat Robertson would have defended Ms. Tucker if she had converted to some other faith. If truly converted, Thomas notes, she has already received the only pardon she will ever need.

Up until her last days Ms. Tucker maintained a desire to be spared, but also a humble willingness to die because that was the law and she would willingly submit to God's will. Toward the end, according to newspaper reports, her story changed somewhat. She became more concerned to be spared and such life issues as abortion were used to argue the sanctity of her life. This was unfortunate. Pat should have told her that there's a big difference between a child in the womb and a murderer. I liked her testimony at first better. I wish that before her death she would have told the world that she deserved to die but would appreciate mercy. I wanted her to say, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better." (Philippians 1:21-23).

Perhaps you are thinking, "That's easy for you to say, you weren't in her place." You are right, of course. I don't know what I would say. I know God's grace is sufficient and I hope that I would give a faithful testimony. Many saints have been put to death, not for murder, but for their love and allegiance to the Lord. God give us grace to actively confess Him while we have the life and freedoms we enjoy.

November

• Examined men for office of elder and deacon and presented list to congregation of those eligible for election. Called congregational meeting to be held on December 14^th for officer election.
• Received into membership Richard and Jaime Wilmoth. Richard upon transfer from Bethel Presbyterian, Clover, SC and Jaime upon reaffirmation, having membership at University Baptist at Clemson, SC.
• Received Sharie Mortensen into membership upon profession of faith.
• Transferred Gill family membership to Cross Creek PCA Church in Fayetteville, NC.
• Approved special offering for Middle East Reformed Fellowship work in Sudan.
• Approved one time mortgage reduction financial appeal.
• Moved stated session meetings to third Tuesday.
• Discussed seminary education plans with Conrad Doskey.
• Approved $1,200 donation to Frontline Fellowship.
• Approved mission conference dates for March 7 & 8.
• Approved mission trip to Smokey Mountains for August, open to youth 8^th grade and up.
• Received budget recommendations for benevolent giving from Missions Committee.
• Elected Sam Derr to serve on budget committee.
• Received information from Machen Retreat and Conference Center.
• Called congregational meeting to handle matters pertaining to the purchase of property located next door to our property.

December

• Received Beth Bogue upon transfer of her membership from Faith PCA, Akron, Ohio.
• Admitted to the Lord's Table, Ed Kline, Jr. upon profession of faith.
• Assigned new families to shepherding lists.
• Approved Conrad Doskey to study at Bahnsen Seminary.
• Discussed various shepherding concerns.
• Elected Ray Nalls and Paul Anthony to attend presbytery with Joe Sawanowich as alternate.
• Approved invitation to Kyle Sorensen to work 10 weeks as summer assistant.
• Approved Joe Pipa, President of Greenville Theological Seminary, as speaker for Reformation Conference 1998.

January

• Installed and ordained recently elected officers.
• Acknowledged McDonald and Clark families to have joined Millbrook Presbyterian Church, Prattville, Alabama.
• Received annual report on Calvary Covenant School.
• Voted not to sell house portion of recently acquired property.
• Decided to ask deacons to seek removal of property line between newly acquired property and obtain zoning variance.
• Approved planning committee's recommendation to purchase a 4 unit modular building with bathrooms to be placed on newly acquired property.
• Approved financing plan to recommend to congregation for purchase of modular building.
• Discussed proposed budget for 1998 and recommendations in regard to pastors' salaries and benefits package for congregational meeting.
• Established February 15^th as date for congregational meeting.
• Approved changes in Catechism memorization award program.
• Received report from Worldview Committee regarding family conference.
• Approved limited spending authority to Dan Moerder from organ fund.
• Approved shepherding list for 1998.
• Asked Byron Snapp and Paul Anthony to do annual review of deacons' minutes.
• Approved Robert Zins, Jr., from Frontline Fellowship, to speak on Sunday evening.
• Met with deacons to discuss use of house on newly acquired property.

Marking Time
by R. J. Rushdoony

Marking time is as old as man. Some of the earliest and most sophisticated products of man's ingenuity have been calendars. Because time can neither be saved up or stored away, as can other forms of wealth, men have prized it.

It is the mark of strong Christian faith that time is used wisely. St. Paul in Ephesians 5:16 speaks of "redeeming the time, for the days are evil." Precisely because the age is evil, we must all the more redeem the time, use it wisely and redemptively, in order to serve God faithfully.

Since we cannot see into our future, we never know how much time we have left to us. This increases the necessity of using time wisely.

When we are children, we see no end to time; it stretches out endlessly before us. As we grow older, and as we see our children grow rapidly, we begin to sense time's brevity and transitoriness. We therefore work for we know the night is coming when man's work here is done.