2010 World Conference News Day 5
 
Hello Faithful Readers,
 
Tuesday bloomed bright and sunny again; mornings are cool and refreshing here in Independence.  Everything is so green and colorful; although the beautiful trees are beginning to lose their blossoms and on a windy day it almost looks like big, fat snowflakes blowing across the road.
 
The conference body met again in non-legislative session to discuss the implications of the document and hear testimony from several persons in several nations regarding pieces of the counsel.  There is not room here today to tell you some of the revelation that surprised this reporter about customs in other countries.  We’ll talk later.  Then the Quorums, Caucuses, Orders and Mass Meetings all met to formally discuss, deliberate or debate the Inspired Counsel; all ultimately approved it before lunch.  It was somewhat tedious because we were instructed to read and discuss one paragraph at a time. 
 
After lunch we all moved into the Auditorium Chamber to do it all again as a group.  The Inspired Counsel was brought up for consideration to the whole conference assembled.  The same procedure took place, paragraph by paragraph, but in the chamber it has to be read painfully slow because of the translations that take place in several languages. 
Then people who want to share, or ask questions, or speak in favor or against the motion to approve this or that paragraph get in line to talk.  A special computer program and queue keeps things orderly.  Often many people want to speak or share, so we only got through paragraph 4 by end of business today. 
 
The evening worship tonight was by the Latin Americans.  There was a praise band with keyboard, guitars, drums and vocalists.  It was upbeat and fun and we clapped and danced and got to sing in Spanish.  Your reporter gets too excited – sorry.  But good music and good worship is exciting
 
The Theme Tuesday was “We Share……Grace and Generosity.”  Our speaker, Carlos Enrique Mejia, translated by Arthur Smith, challenged us to really look at the Grace of God; God’s gift(s) to us which we do nothing to earn.  God gives to us just because that’s God’s nature.  God’s Grace and God’s Generosity go hand in hand.  God gives to us generously because that’s how God is.  God gives with no strings attached, no expectations of a return on his generosity.
 
And yet God hopes.  When God gives as generously as he does, God’s hope is that you and I will be moved by God’s Generosity, and with our cup overflowing with blessings, find ways and situations where we can pay it forward.  We can never pay God back directly, we can, however, pay it forward to others.
 
Carlos asked us to consider what we have, to offer to others.  What gifts has God given that we can share with the communities in which we work, live, play, shop, drive, etc.  What can we share generously and graciously with those in need?
 
Last night we also participated in the Ordinations of the two new Apostles, Rick James and Scott Murphy, and the Ordination to Evangelist of Len Young.  So today, the new Apostles will take their place on the rostrum during all business sessions.
 
As you go through your day today, look around, take stock, honor God’s generosity in nature, personality, giftedness, health, witness, strength, vision, courage, ________, you fill in the blank.  How has God’s generosity changed your life and will you give God permission to use your life to gift another’s?
 
Until tomorrow your reporter asks for you loving support and prayer as we complete our task of confirming the mind and will of God for Community of Christ.