American Leadeship Conference: Inspiration for North Dakota

America at a Crossroads:  Where do we go from here?

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Carl Swearson leads 11 participants; four second generation & eight old guys & gals in an afternoon of deep thought & fellowship

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Three Fargo families, the Haibara's from Perham Minnesota, and three Grand Forks students (second generation) experienced a meaningful afternoon together.  Carl Swearson, District Director of the American Leadership Conference shared his wisdom.  We were presented with a most important subject for our contemplation.  It was difficult to do the subject justice in that one afternoon.  How should our government and our religions relate?  No one wants one religion imposing  it's ideas and laws on others that hold different views.  For this reason, many think that religion should not be involved in government and excluded from the public square.  Should then an atheistic minority be able to impose a "purely secular government" on all citizens and remove all references to God?

We considered:

• America was uniquely conceived.  It was founded on the idea of "God". We find  God in our founding documents, on coins & bills, in the prayers that open congress every day, on carvings in public buildings across America, etc.
• Secondly, America has been populated by people from all over the world of different religions, with the vast majority believing in God.  Can this foundation and belief in God be a benefit or a problem for America?

The founding principles of America articulate a base for human rights:

• all are "created" equal;
• we are endowed by our creator inalienable rights (unable to be lawfully taken away), given by our creator not by any government;
• we recognize that these are "self-evident" truths, first principles, inherent in nature, established before man had written any scriptures or laws.

We can have a cultural consensus, base on these natural principles that reflect common held ethical standards such as:

• Valuing the family
• Being a good citizen
• living for the sake of others - being unselfish.

The authority in America is "the citizen", and the constitution assumes you are a good citizen.  You are assumed innocent by the law unless proven otherwise.  Religion should fulfill that public purpose of raising that good citizen, and not be walled in privacy.  Those who want to take God out of the public sector and create a wall will cause deeper problems, setting a base for a more purely secular, self-centered people.

The United States present reality is full of abhorrent conditions.

EVERYDAY: 2540 teens become pregnant; 4000 abortions are performed; 25000 sex diseases are transmitted, 89 commit suicide, 7000 dropout of school, 2461 report child abuse; 4931 commit violent crime; 517 sexually assault; 7 million live in jail; etc.

Our nations founders knew that religion had a public role, although some today will try to persuade you to think otherwise. One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence stated that we need religion for virtue and that we need virtue for liberty and freedom.  Free societies need religious citizens for the moralization of politics.

The french philosopher Roseau (in his "Social Contract") said that there are professions of faith that are purely civil, not religious dogmas, that are expressions of conscience, apart from which it is impossible to be a good citizen.  People of different faiths can agree on these expressions of conscience as a natural code or creed for good citizenship.

John Adams, the second president of the United States,  stated that the American Constitution was designed for a moral and religious people.  It is inadequate for any other.  This system will not work if people are not able to regulate themselves.

Citizens must find principles for a "civil religion" (not a formal religion but an ethical code) that contain the main tenants of all the major religious spheres.  These should be spiritual principles & common values of major Faiths:  These spiritual principles should be naturally founded in God.

God should be seen as our spiritual treasure.  Our freedoms & rights come from God.  In God we find the unity of our diverseness.  We have grown from 3 million to 300 million people, our countries area has increase 7 times since its founding. The 20 or so religious groups have expanded to 313 religions and denominations.  Racial minorities have grown to 60 million.

Religious exclusivism and even atheistic exclusivism will exacerbate our problems.  We must therefore be more than tolerant of the faiths of others.  We must see the value of each faith's contribution.  Pluralism is essential to our strength as a nation.  We must focus on our common ground.  We must restore the sense of providence for our nation.  What role can I play, what role can my family play. What is the role my nation is playing.

Here is Ben Franklin's personal creed, expressed to a friend just before he died:

1. There is one God who should be worshipped;
2. God has a plan and purpose (providence);
3. We serve God by serving his family;
4. The human soul is immortal;
5. Our life on earth determines our destiny in next world;

Here are "self-evident" first principles that can become part of our code:

1. Our transcendent source is God. People have a power in them that transcends the physical boundaries.  87 to 92  percent of American's believe in God.
2. Human beings are spiritual and they live forever.  They are the image of God, with unique and eternal natures and value. Our essential spiritual nature and value comes from God, never the government.
3. The highest ideal is living for the sake of others; serve the whole by becoming unselfish, mirror God's constant giving.
4. The purpose of life and the direction of history is to create One Family Under God.  The family is school love. We learn to be like God as we grow in life and raise our families.  We experience the heart of God in our very own heart.  All those problems earlier mentioned are due the to breakdown of the family. The Family is Sacred under all world religions. Marriage then is the seed for the Kingdom of God.  Providential history has been to create God's Family.

We had a great afternoon considering these great truths and discussing these essential questions. In both North Dakota and South Dakota the promotion of gay marriage was brought forth by the audience in the opening words after Carl's talk. Our college age participants (second generation), are labeled bigoted and pressured by their peers when they defend the traditional marriage point of view of the major religions.  The Africans in South Dakota (I attended the SD program the next day) said that America, which was once looked on as righteous, was now viewed by many Africans as evil because of the fact prominent Americans promote gay marriage.  Freedom requires responsibility in love.  We agreed that if we fail in that responsibility, it is probable that we would also loose our freedom.  Our afternoon then was well named as:  America at a Crossroads.

We all felt closer at the end of the day, and glad that we had taken the time to be with one another.

Reported by

John & Keiko Foss

 

Here is the  Audio of Carl Swearson's talk in South Dakota:

Minnesota helps North & South Dakota ACLC's spirit grow

           

 

Report from ND & SD ACLC Prayer Meeting:

We gathered for an ACLC meeting in Sioux falls,on June 05 at Rev.Hakim's Family Church.  It was just weeks after our last meeting, because Rev. Hakim's wife Izumi-san will soon deliver their 3rd baby. Their family wanted to make a good condition by having this meeting, to honor God and place others before themselves. 

Even under the storms and  heavy rains, guest arrived one by one.  We were so blessed to have our District Director, Rev. Carl Swearson, and Mrs Keiko Takahashi, the district's Japanese Missionary living in MPLS center drive 225 miles to participate. Keiko is a magnificent musician and music teacher. Her beautiful Bach arrangement invited the Holy Spirit into our gathering.

Rev. Mayuri Hoffman opened the program and introduce Mrs. Foss from North Dakota.  Mrs. Foss explained purpose of ACLC, which is to rebuild the family and renew the Community.  Our mission is to restore the nation & world through unifying the body of Christ centering Christianity and embrace all the world's religions.   We must take down all walls & barriers among all races and cultures.  "Let's begin this with peace in our minds. From this moment on, let's stop all war with this everlasting True Love.

Rev. Swearson shared about the up-coming event " Global Peace Festival" scheduled to be held in Washington DC from August 9 -11. He would like to every family to participate or send one representative. He personally would like to use this opportunity for his family vacation to the east coast.

Rev. Hakim shared about the progress at Khartoum, where 6 Muslims and 6 Christian's attended a 7 day "True Family Values" workshop and received certificates of completion. His daughter was among them. He was so happy.

Our main reading was presented by Rev. Dennis Hoffman, "Inter-Cultural marriage Blessing and World Peace.  Abiaza passed around Love Offering basket, and collected $80 for ACLC work. Thanks to Everyone!!!

Our shared lunch dishes are always big hits.  Izumi-san made Sudanese food and Mayuri-san brought her home-made potato salad.  Everyone was treated with some Oriental with Green Tea. Our Guests from Sudan, Ethiopia, Korea, and Japan were so happy to find others to share with about the present situation in their countries.

It was another very nice meeting.  We want to make sure God is happy, by living in unity & harmony among all families & guests.

May the Ideal world begin on this earth and may it's Peace be with everyone.

Report by Keiko Foss

 

North & South Dakota ACLC meets in prayer for Sudan & the World

ACLC Prayer Meeting was held at Sioux Falls , South Dakota on Friday, May 23.  North & South Dakota joined together to pray for unity among the Religions, Nations and the World centering  on Christianity.  Our program was lead by State Leader Rev. Mayuri Hoffman.  She introduced Rev. & Mrs. Foss as the North Dakota Coordinators.

Rev. John Foss began the meeting by reading from the New Testament, Revelations 22, announcing the coming of the New Heaven and New Earth.  Rev. Dennis Huffman read "The Ideal Family and True Love" from the Mother Moon's last speaking Tour  Peace Message.

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Rev. Hakim Kane Spoke of his recent trip to Sudan.  His Hometown has suffered war for decades with his family and tribe shattered and scattered.  With "tentative" peace, his tribe is returning.  He is now desperate to build a "Family Church" in South Sudan.  His daughter and he attended the Family Church in Khartoum, North Sudan.  The Family Church in Khartoum is successfully bringing unity to it's Christian and Muslim associates by teaching True Family Values.  The Sudanese children of all ages eagerly thirst for knowledge, as they gather together "singing" their lessons in unison.  Rev. Hakim is now formulating a plan to help his people in South Sudan, returning the blessings he has received from God to them.

 

    

An "Ambassador for Peace" Certificate was given to Mr. Christopher Yuyad for outstanding parenting. We also appointed our youngest recipient of "Ambassador for Peace Jr.", Abiaza Hakim Kane.  He is a 4 year old preschooler. He is the son of Pastor Hakim Kane & Japanese Missionary Izumi Ai Kane.  He is a amazing son, loyal to his parents, always taking good care of sister (2 years old).
His beaming big smile just melts anyone's heart (see his picture below).  He wants to be President of United State of America in the future. We have to give him diplomatic education.

Pastor Julias Badigo stands firmly and faithfully with True Parents vision and respect Pastor Kane.  He received 30 hours one-to-one Divine Principle lecture from Rev. Seo. He miss him very much. A beautiful sister from Ethiopia Melesech Ayele enjoyed our meeting. she is good Christian.  She shared some of her culture and family.

       

    

Mayuri & Izumi & Keiko offered one Japanese song called " HARU". It was nice harmony.
Rev. Mayouri picked the date for Thursday, June 05 for the next meeting.                    

Reported by Keiko Foss

 

Read this report and other inspirational posts at our Weblog:

The Flowering Tree - Click Here!

American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) March 25, 2008

A Movement of the Holy Spirit - Keynote Speaker:

Archbishop Stallings speaks with incredible passion and truth on our part in the "One Family of God, and how we make God a liar and the Church a sham by not living that reality every moment.

 

Archbishop George Augustus Stallings, Jr.

53 min 38 sec - Mar 29, 2008

Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark.

 

1.    Don't miss the boat.

2.    Remember that we are all in the same boat.

3.    Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

4.    Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

5.    Don't listen to   critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

6.     Build your future on high ground.

7.    For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

8.    Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

9.    When you're stressed, float awhile.

10.  Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

11.  No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Dr. Sirisio Oromo in the news from Kenya

Dear All,
Our Ambassador for Peace from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dr. Sirisio Oromo, has traveled to Japan and Korea on the 4th World Tour in October 2006, has traveled to Africa a couple times since on peace missions.  He recently joined with other religious leaders in Kenya to participate at a rally for peace in Nairobi.

Our Ambassadors for Peace are on the front line!

Sincerely,
Rev. Swearson

Call for Peace Education

Rev. Fredrick Wakhisi, Secretary General, UPF-Kenya

 

 

 

 

Leaders of several denominations and religions in Kenya called for unity and trust among all communities at a prayer rally organized by UPF-Kenya in Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi on February 6.

They also called on UPF to offer peace education programs. A traditional site for outdoor speeches and rallies, Uhuru [Freedom] Park has been seen sealed off since the announcement of the results of the controversial Presidential elections held December 27, 2007. In order to carry out the program, organizers had to get permission from the Commissioner of Police himself. Permission was granted the day before, but the written permit was received only 30 minutes before the event began.

The atmosphere at the park was solemn and somber. At 10:00 am, the ceremony opened with lighting of candles and burning of incense. 

Rev. Mwalagho Kililo, Regional Secretary General of UPF-Africa, conducted a service that included prayers offered by Rev. Dr. Sirisio Oromo, a Lutheran bishop from Sudan; Mr. Varma, a Hindu priest; Rev. Henry Omai, General Overseer of the Restoration of Life Ministry; three Sikh priests; and Rev. Dr. Luckio Otieno Odero, an Anglican priest. 

The prayers for peace from these religious leaders were both touching and moving as people pled with Almighty God to grant forgiveness based on repentance. There was no doubt, they stated, that we have sinned before Heaven and Earth and thus are not worthy to be called God’s children. From Hinduism to Sikhism, Islam, and Christianity the content of the prayers was the same.

Members of Parliament Hon. Elias Mbau and Hon. Joseph Nkaissery spoke of the need for members of parliament to facilitate UPF seminars that can promote peace. The Ambassadors for Peace have requested that seminars be held to remind them of their calling to promote peace at this time of anarchy and mayhem. The solution to this problem lies with promoting principles of peace education.

There is no doubt that peace is a rare commodity for now. When peace prevailed, Kenyans did not seem to appreciate it until anarchy and mayhem became the order of the day.

Ambassadors for Peace recognize that the guiding principles of UPF and its founder’s vision are critical elements for making peace a reality. This is the moment for UPF and all affiliate organizations to come out clearly and fulfill their calling.

The ceremony concluded with an offering of floral wreaths in memory of the more than 1,000 Kenyans killed to date in post-election violence.

A report of the event was one of the lead stories in the Daily Nation newspaper, the leading newspaper in East Africa. This underscores the important of peace to this nation of Kenya.

The newspaper quoted former United Nations prosecutor at the Rwanda tribunal, Duncan Mwanyumba, making a proposal at the rally for the establishment of a National Council of Elders to create bridges of reconciliation among the communities. He envisions that such a council could broker unity and cohesion by summoning political leaders to work for the common good of the country. The lawyer also proposed a constitutional review to create a mechanism for handling foreseeable electoral mistakes, power arrangements, and conflict resolution programs.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 20 February 2008 09:22

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We are connnected.....

It is truly amazing how connected we all are.   I've heard a lot about the Mongolian connections through some PBS shows and History Channel.    Of course we all know on some level that we are all related but how cool that the science is also sorting it all out and coming the same conclusions.

In a message dated 2/9/2008 5:30:50 P.M. Central Standard Time, JohnKeiko@gmail.com writes:

Excellent Video on the importance of our families and tribes.........

It show the connectedness of all mankind, and common family traditions such as care for aging parent in the family and not sending the elderly to the "old peoples house".....

It is by a friend "Kevin Pickard.....

"It brought tears to my eyes"....

jef

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5nkQ-2bp58

A Lesson on Resentment and Forgiveness by Rev. Carl Swearson

A Lesson on Resentment and Forgiveness by Rev. Carl Swearson
At the Prayer Breakfast in Omaha this past Saturday, January 19, the guest speaker was Wynema Morris, an elder of the Native American Omaha Tribe, who lives on the Walthill reservation in Northeast Nebraska.  She gave a testimony of her experience late last year when she and Rev. Beverly Thompson traveled to Jamestown, Virginia, at the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the white settlers.  Wynema shared about her emotions being flooded with feelings of pain, hurt and resentment while she was at Jamestown Colony.  She described it as going to the place of "the beginning of the end" of her culture and the lives of many of her people.

Tribal Elder, Wynema Morris Rev. Beverly Thompson

The Reconciliation Conference, she felt, did not truly address many of the things that should have been discussed.  Many of the attempts at asking for forgiveness, on the part of the descendants of the white colonists, from the Native Americans for the many offenses inflicted on them, she thought, were in many ways, clumsy (if that is the right word) and far short of what she was hoping for.  When the apologies were given, Wynema said she did not feel in her heart the strength or the desire to forgive.
When she got home, she reported all this to her mother (in her 80's and living with her) – everything she saw and experienced.  "My mother is so wise," Wynema said, "she told me that even though it was not a very adequate attempt at repentance and reconciliation, still it was genuine and it was a beginning."  Her mother’s advice was, in spite of everything, forgiveness must be given.  "If not you, Wynema, then who will do the forgiving?  And if not now, then when?"
She said those few words from her mother really liberated her heart and now she is free of her resentment.  In life, her mother suffered more than she did, but still her mother taught her about the power of forgiveness.  Resentment does not hurt the person who causes the resentment, it only hurts the person who holds it.

That really got me thinking ……
Towards the end of Dr. Sang Hun Lee's book, "Life in the Spirit World and on Earth," he talks about traveling around in spirit world, attempting to meet the World War II Criminals, and see what their fate was in spirit world.  I remember him talking about trying to find Hitler and wanting to know what became of him. 

When Dr. Lee did find Hitler, he was naked, tied to a tree, constantly being beaten and mocked by a crowd of many thousands of Jews that he had killed or destroyed.  It struck me at that time that those thousands of people were in rock bottom hell with Hitler, though not because of some sins they committed, but because they were "chained" to Hitler through the resentments that dominated their soul. They were in hell simply because could not let go of their pain and resentment.
I read a quote once that has stayed with me: "Resentment is like you drinking a poison, hoping that the person you resent will feel its effects."

One person wrote about resentment on the internet, and this is his reflection on it:

“Resentment is the great demon, the mind killer that sucks awareness out of the self, out of the soul and rivets it on some person, place, thing or event outside. On things one can not change.
To practice resentment is to feed a demon, a demon whose mantra is, feed me, help me remember and savor the evil, the injustice inflicted on me by others.
Once fed and strengthened through practice this demon will stand guard before the doors of perception.

He will, with singular fury and exuberance, strike down any hint of grace, any stream of mercy that would presume to approach the mind’s eye.
He will obsessively scan the horizon: mining memory and experience for transgressions, sins, faux pas, insensitivities, forgetfulness: the building blocks of a fortress of isolation (for isolation is), “The only safe place for a wounded heart.”

I understand this man counsels many people who are trapped by past resentments.

I believe the most incredible act of forgiveness was accomplished by Jesus on the cross, just before he died. Jesus was not only unjustly framed and murdered, he was tortured, mocked and betrayed by people who he loved more than his own life. On the cross, Jesus said, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’ That comes from Psalms 22. You should read the whole chapter, and you’ll get a unique glimpse into Jesus’ heart just before he died. At funerals, people usually read Psalms 23 (the Lord is my Shepherd), but if they want to know Jesus better, they should start with the chapter before that.

Jesus, with the last few breaths in his body, uttered, “Father, forgive them. They DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DO!” Think about this - No one at the foot of the cross asked Jesus for his forgiveness (that I am aware). No one expected it. Maybe no one even wanted it at that time. But Jesus forgave anyway. Thank God he did, but Jesus also benefited from that gracious act of forgiveness as well. How?

Jesus went to the Father with a clean heart. Tons of atrocities were committed against him, but he dropped them at the door as he went in to meet his Father. Why can’t we learn from that?

The Bible makes it very clear that all of us, everyone, have sinned against God and against our fellow man on many occasions.

Thankfully, God does not put the condition on us that we must stop sinning before He will give us His forgiveness. He forgives even those who do not deserve His forgiveness. When we are forgiven by God, we become recipients of His Grace. In a smaller way, when you forgive someone of their trespasses against you, they become recipients of your grace.

Wow! Just think about that for a moment. I think it’s so beautiful to see a son or a daughter imitating the good things that their mother or father does. In this sense, forgiving is a profound way to imitate our Heavenly Father.

As a child, I may not be able to fill my father’s shoes, but I sure get a big kick out of trying to walk in them. And while I’m doing that, if I would happen to look back - into my father’s eyes, I know that I’d see what any child would see, my father …. smiling.