UNDER THE BRANCH OF AN ALMOND TREE
(Editorial)
"Look, Dad, a tree that's budding." It is my daughter, the youngest, who is trying to get my attention. In fact, on the border of the street which we are traveling on slowly by car, I see an almond tree that has blossomed. It is really nothing strange, except we are still in February and one can see snow on the mountains. I didn't believe that as a Christian, I would have been interested in botany, but even botany can offer some starting points for a profound meditation.

The almond tree is the first one to blossom in Spring and, with its white and pink flowers, it gives us the first sign of the beautiful season which is arriving. In Hebrew an almond tree is called "shaqued" and there is a similar word "shoqued" or "He who watches over". For the Hebrews, the almond tree brought to remembrance Divine vigilance, the Lord's protecting presence. The rod of Aaron budded and brought forth almond blossoms (Numbers 17:8), and the flowers on the arms of the golden candlestick had the form of the branches of an almond tree (Exodus 25:33).

Under the branch of an almond tree, in the garden of his house, as the Bible narrates to us, a young man met God who gave him an "impossible mission". Rereading the first chapter of the book of the prophet Jeremiah, one notes the hesitation of this young man who felt overwhelmed by the mission which God was about to entrust to him. Let's reread that dialogue: "'I sanctified you; I have appointed you a prophet unto the nations.' Then said I, 'Ah, Lord Jehovah! behold, I know not how to speak; for I am a child.' But Jehovah said unto me, 'Say not, I am a child; for to whomsoever I shall send you, you shall go, and whatsoever I shall command you, you shall speak. Be not afraid because of them; for I am with you to deliver you,' says Jehovah. ... Moreover the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 'Jeremiah, what do you see?' And I said, 'I see a rod of an almond-tree.' Then said Jehovah unto me, 'You have seen well: for I watch over my word to perform it'" (Jeremiah 1:5-8,11-12).

As the almond tree which buds while the other trees and flowers still "sleep", the Lord does not sleep but watches over His own. How many times have you ever felt alone? How many times, like Jeremiah, have you felt a pang in your heart before some impossible mission to which, as a Christian, you have been called to carry out? How many times have you thought not to follow through and that "the enemy" was too strong? The answer of the Father, however, does not change. Like Jeremiah, He answers you, "'And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with you to deliver you' says THE LORD" (1:19).

Jeremiah's life, from that moment on, was anything but easy: a solitary and suffering man (15:17-18), beaten and tortured (20:1-2), exiled at the end of his days in Egypt (40-41). He compared himself to a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter (11:19). How great was this impression on the contemporaries of Jesus that at His question, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" they replied, "Jeremiah!" (Matthew 16:13-14).

Jeremiah, a prophet who spoke, prophesied, and struggled for twenty-three long years (25:3) in an untiring way. This is the perseverance and the forbearance of God's children.

"Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord" (James 5:10).

During these days, when you will see an almond tree budding, if you recognize it, think again about the prophet Jeremiah and about that which the Lord called him to do. Consider that the Lord has called us often to carry out an "impossible mission", at least in man's eyes.

Our Lord knows that in our path and during our walk there are times when they are full of obstacles for us, and it is for this reason that He watches over us. He protects us and sustains us when our legs shake, when our will is about to give up, when the hills to climb get too step. He is at our side and He will not leave us alone. He fights with us.

It is this God in whom we believe and who want to follow and to serve. To Him we have entrusted our plans and our hopes. It is He who has freed us and continues to free us from sin and our weaknesses.

(Vittorio Vitalone)

THE RECENT MEETING IN FLORENCE

7 February 1998 -- The Florence Bible School

There were about 40 brethren present in Florence, from all parts of Italy, from Sicily down south to the Veneto region up north. More than half of the Italian churches of Christ had someone participate at this meeting. It is difficult for us to give an objective assessment of what happened, difficult because that which prevails are the feelings and the emotions which we experienced during those two days while we were together, and they continue to exist even now. We knew that the topics would provoke much interest the results of the meeting would have a continuation. We were aware that we were at Florence not as rulers or as representatives of our congregations, but as servants of our churches, as Christians who heart's desire is to preach the Gospel in Italy, as disciples who love the Lord and who desire to look again into God's Word to find the answers to the problems of today's church.

The two preachers, Paolo Di Luca and Vittorio Vitalone, explained with love, humility, and a profound biblical knowledge the topics to be examined: "Roles of Responsibilities and Co-operation Among the Congregations".

Bro. Di Luca helped us to remember that a church leader is not one who looks for or who exercises power in the congregation, but he is one who serves, loves, and sets the example. The internal questions of the local church are not resolved "by majority vote", but by respect for the will of God expressed in His Word and by striving to have consensus (being of one mind) in a congregation which lives out a walk of faith in the Word.

Bro. Vitalone helped us to remember that autonomy of the churches does not mean isolation; we all must be "fellow workers in the truth" (3John 8).

Our congregations today must imitate the apostle Paul's attitude shown in his confrontations with the church at Corinth: condemnation of error, but at the same time love and communion with those who are in Christ and who walk in the Lord.

In the discussion which followed, Bro. Dan Reed wisely suggested to work, as local congregations, on projects which could, in turn, be presented in other congregations, trying to collaborate with others, and not to feel offended or to have hard feelings if we do not find consensus and participation from everyone.

(Paolo Mirabelli)

>From One of the Participants at the Meeting in Florence

Milan, 9 February 1998

To Paolo Di Luca and Vittorio Vitalone:

I thank you for your efforts and your mastery of the Scriptures exhibited this last week-end at Florence. I have needed sermons and discussions of this type. "In fact, we experienced a great joy and consolation as a result of your love, because through you the hearts of the saints have been refreshed" (adapted from Philemon 7).

(Mark Miller)

A Proposal

From the proposals which emerged during the meeting in Florence, one seems to us particularly interesting and we want to restate it in order to initiate this as a project worth trying to make become a reality. We feel the need to have a group of Italian young people who will help in the evangelistic activities of various congregations on our peninsula, above all in those smaller congregations which must work hard by themselves to carry out evangelistic programs. May God bless everything which is done to His glory and to His praise!

KOINONIA 1998 (Fellowship 1998) will be held May 1-3 at the HOTEL DEL LAGO in the Sila Mountains. The theme will be ETHICS and will deal with introductory questions concerning a biblical ethic, Christian ethics and moral and existential issues, and ethics and scientific progress. For more information or reservations, call Paolo Mirabelli at 06-871.93.697. The cost will be 110,000 lire ($58) per person

The annual SANTA SEVERA lectureship will take place May 15-17 near Rome.

The theme will be FOLLOWING JESUS and the cost will be 85,000 ($49) per person. To make reservations, call Giancarlo Balboni at 06-880.39.00.

NEWS FROM THE CONGREGATIONS

MONFALCONE
The congregation in Monfalcone is organizing a study with Bro. Carl Mitchell on Christian maturity. Whoever desires to participate or to have more information can call 0481-48.26.24, or you can write to the Church of Christ - Via Romana, 97 - 34074 (GO).

ROME (Viale Jonio congregation)
The congregation in Viale Jonio invites you to participate in one of the moments of fellowship and study most desired during the year! Like each year in the past, we will have times together for study, for prayer, for brotherly exchanges, and also this year we will have an interval totally dedicated for youth. Classes for the children and a special meeting for ladies will round out the program.
Where? At the Villaggio della Gioventu - Lungomare Pyrgi - S. Severa.
Theme? FOLLOWING IN HIS STEPS - "Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps!" (1 Pet. 2:21)
Speakers? Dan Reed, Earl Edwards, Giuseppe De Marco, Paolo Di Luca, Maurizio Pezzanera, Tony Console, Silvio Caddeo.
To make reservations, call Bro. Giancarlo Balboni (06-880.39.00)

THE FLORENCE BIBLE SCHOOL
Bro. Carl Mitchell reminds us that he will remain in Italy, at the Florence Bible School, until April 15 and he will be very happy to conduct studies in the congregations to which he is invited. Carl, as all know, has been a missionary of the Gospel in Italy for many years. Recently he has given himself again to spiritual care of Italian congregations. His experience in the Lord's work and his Bible knowledge assures us that he will render a good service to our churches.
These studies of Bro. Mitchell are available:
1) Helping To Make the Church Grow through a Variety of Ministries.
2) Basic Scriptures of the Plan of Christ for the Church and for Salvation.
Whoever would like to have a copy, can contact The Bible School - Via Spadini, 24 - 50019 Scandicci (FI).

CONEGLIANO
There is available a study by Bro. Jack P. Lewis entitled: "La Maggioranza Degli Uomini?" (The Majority of the Men?). It deals with an interesting study, based on the Scriptures, about the decisional method of the majority used in many churches. You can ask for it by writing to: Paolo Di Luca - C. P. 9 - 31015 Conegliano (TV) - Italy.

WAKE UP!

"Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock ... savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock . . . men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them" (Acts 20:28).
"There are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ" (Galatians 1:7).
In the last few days, we have received a collection of documents on several movements which are trying to infiltrate themselves into our congregations to draw away disciples from the Gospel of Christ. In particular we want to mention the so called:
"Christian Transformation and the Momentus Trainings". Only a faithful walk with Jesus and in His Word will help us to easily recognize false prophets who are dressed in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15-22).

AUDIO CASSETTES FOR UNBELIEVERS

There are 8 audio cassettes available for anyone who would like to request them. The cost will be only that of reproduction and the messages are directed to unbelievers:
1) Dio Esiste? (Does God Exist?) - Italo Minestroni
2) Le Evidenze Archeologiche (Archeological Proofs) - Italo Minestroni
3) Le Evidenze Scientifiche (Scientific Proofs) - Dario Di Luca
4) I Malintesi Verso Gesu (Misunderstandings About Jesus) - Vito Ligorio
5) I Malintesi Verso La Chiesa (Misunderstandings About the Church) - Vito Ligorio
6) Come Si Legge la Bibbia per Superare I Malintesi (How to Read the Bible to Overcome Misunderstandings) - Otello Pandolfini
7) Ha Dio Predisposto un Piano Scritturale per Salvarci? (Has God Proposed a Scriptural Plan To Save Us?) - Otello Pandolfini
8) Chi E' Questa Gente della Chiesa di Cristo? (Who Are These People of the Church of Christ?) - Otello Pandolfini

For information and/or your request, write to: Paul Robison - Via Lamarmora, 8 - 31015 Conegliano (TV)

LITERATURE OF CHRISTIAN AUTHORS

The book of Bro. Mario Piccoli, "Giubileo, Anno Santo Oppure Anno Sabbatico?" (Jubilee: Holy Year Or Sabbatical Year?), was received with success by the press for the capacity demonstrated by its author to deal with controversial and debated issues and for the actuality that this same subject provokes in light of the Catholic celebration of the Jubilee in 2000. Mario, with his book, is one of the few voices, outside of the chorus, that has made himself heard publicly to protest against an institution of human nature and to promote a return to the Gospel. The Vatican, for now, in the person of Josef Clemens, a particular secretary to Joseph Ratzinger, has limited itself to thanking Bro. Piccoli for the copy of the book which was received.

BRIEF NEWS ITEMS

Requests for Tracts from the Congregation in Prato Bro. Orfeo Magnanimo, of the congregation in Prato, has called to ask for tracts which discuss: Jesus, His church, and Christianity of the NT. He also asked for copies of "Solo Cristiani" (Just Christians). Send these materials to: Church of Christ - Via Mazzini, 22 - 50047 Prato.

A Small Newspaper for Youth

The young people who are members of the church in the Toscana province (Florence, Prato, Pistoia) are trying to begin a small newspaper for Christian young people. There will be one page with articles and testimonies on the life and problems of young people. The editor will be Bro. Marco Masini of the congregation in Florence.

Bible Needed

We are looking FOR A LARGE PRINT ITALIAN BIBLE for a person who has vision problems. Let us know if you have a copy at: Church of Christ - Viale Jonio, 286 - 00141 Rome.

CHIESEinFORMA can better its service with your collaboration:

-- Tell others about this English edition and have them write to the e-mail address given below under Paolo Di Luca's name.
-- If you would like to make a contribution to help support the Italian edition, please send this to the address found under Paolo Di Luca's name.
-- The staff of this paper asks for your continued prayers that we may print items which will be an encouragement to its readers.