In A Few Words

With the appearance this issue of The Outlook, we are approaching two major holidays in this country—Thanksgiving Day in November (Canadians already celebrated it in October) and Christmas in December. Both are secular holidays, by which I mean that neither was instituted by divine or biblical mandate. That does not mean, however, that Christians cannot or should not use these special occasions to give God the praise due to him alone. In fact, how we observe these holidays can offer a significant testimony to our world. We do that at Thanksgiving by offering God our thanks for all the material and national, as well as spiritual, blessings we have received from his hand and by recognizing him as the fountain of all good. We do that during the Christmas season by praising God for the greatest of all his gifts to us—his only-begotten Son to be our Savior. Thanksgiving in November should lead naturally for God’s children to the offering of our deepest thanks in December (and throughout the year).

We at Reformed Fellowship are also thankful to our Lord for the special ways in which we can serve him through our ministry. We publish this magazine bi-monthly for the instruction and inspiration of many readers in the Christian faith and its implications for our lives in this world, from a uniquely Reformed perspective. We trust these continue to be appreciated by you and others who come across our magazine. In fact, you could greatly help us by offering a gift subscription to The Outlook to your family members and friends. In addition, we publish and have available many good books which can also be of benefit to you and others who purchase them. That might be another gift opportunity.

What you may not realize, however, is that Reformed Fellowship sends out its magazine and books freely to persons who cannot afford them but have a burning desire to learn more about the Reformed faith. For instance, we have given books to organizations in other countries, like seminaries, to provide to their students. We have sent books and our magazine to persons in prison. We give translation rights to missionaries free of charge so they can further their ministries. We also publish the URC directory at a low price for the benefit of the membership of the United Reformed Churches and others. We do all this to fulfill our purpose of disseminating the truth of the Bible, in accordance with the Reformed confessions, for the blessing of sinners (unconverted and converted) and saints.

As a non-profit organization, we do not receive, or desire to receive, financial gain from our efforts. In fact, we often lose money in the process. Yet, God provides for our needs, and we pray that you, our dear friends, will be one of his means of providing for our needs to continue our ministry for years to come. As the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians (4:19–20): “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Rev. James Admiraal is a board member of Reformed Fellowship, Inc.