Welcome back to the Liberty Insider. 00:00:01.36\00:00:02.70 Before the break with guest, Pati Lawrence, we were... 00:00:02.73\00:00:06.23 I was following along with rapt attention to hearing 00:00:06.27\00:00:10.64 just one opportunity after the other, 00:00:10.67\00:00:12.47 but I looked through it 00:00:12.51\00:00:14.78 and I see that you were taking advantage. 00:00:14.81\00:00:16.71 They weren't just sort of dropping in your lap, 00:00:16.75\00:00:19.71 you were making contacts 00:00:19.75\00:00:21.38 and doing things that meant naturally 00:00:21.42\00:00:23.32 there was a harvest of acceptance coming 00:00:23.35\00:00:25.99 back towards you. 00:00:26.02\00:00:27.39 And I know we've talked, 00:00:27.42\00:00:30.13 spoken a little bit privately, 00:00:30.16\00:00:31.53 but this ongoing COVID emergency 00:00:31.56\00:00:34.43 is sort of provided the proof of these contacts, isn't it? 00:00:34.46\00:00:38.40 They've been looking you up and asking for help 00:00:38.43\00:00:40.94 in different sorts of projects connected with the emergency. 00:00:40.97\00:00:43.77 Yes. 00:00:43.81\00:00:45.14 I still continue to nurture the relationships 00:00:45.17\00:00:47.08 and that's really important. 00:00:47.11\00:00:48.58 Before COVID, I would have, 00:00:48.61\00:00:50.25 Wednesday were my days of like rounds 00:00:50.28\00:00:52.98 'cause doctors make their rounds, 00:00:53.01\00:00:54.72 I would make my rounds around the community 00:00:54.75\00:00:56.62 stopping in at the offices, taking Liberty Magazine, 00:00:56.65\00:00:59.69 taking other literature, sometimes pastries. 00:00:59.72\00:01:02.36 But now with COVID 00:01:02.39\00:01:03.73 and the offices being closed down, 00:01:03.76\00:01:05.13 it's more phone calls, emails. 00:01:05.16\00:01:08.36 Some of the district directors or field deputies, 00:01:08.40\00:01:10.70 I have their cell phone numbers. 00:01:10.73\00:01:12.43 And I just let them know, if you need help with anything, 00:01:12.47\00:01:14.17 I'm still here, let me know what I can do. 00:01:14.20\00:01:16.91 There's a state senator, local state senator 00:01:16.94\00:01:19.04 that he was having a grocery giveaway, 00:01:19.07\00:01:21.08 the grab-and-go or drive-through, 00:01:21.11\00:01:22.51 people drive through. 00:01:22.54\00:01:23.95 So I went there and I helped out. 00:01:23.98\00:01:26.85 We have a councilman in Los Angeles, 00:01:26.88\00:01:29.05 who happens to be Seventh-day Adventist. 00:01:29.08\00:01:31.82 On every third Saturday till the end of the year 00:01:31.85\00:01:34.22 he's having a grab-and-go grocery giveaway. 00:01:34.26\00:01:36.93 And I'll be there helping him until the end of the year, 00:01:36.96\00:01:39.46 every third Saturday. 00:01:39.49\00:01:42.20 And still I get calls. We put on... 00:01:42.23\00:01:44.63 Oh, the most recently, this past Monday night, 00:01:44.67\00:01:47.84 I don't know if you're aware of the Zoom conference, 00:01:47.87\00:01:49.74 the town hall that Church State Council put on. 00:01:49.77\00:01:51.27 Yes. 00:01:51.31\00:01:52.64 On voting information and the responsibility to vote. 00:01:52.67\00:01:55.64 We had and through the relationships 00:01:55.68\00:01:57.58 that I've been able to develop and nurture. 00:01:57.61\00:02:02.02 I'm comfortable in calling and say, 00:02:02.05\00:02:03.49 "Hi, we want to have a Zoom conference. 00:02:03.52\00:02:05.35 We'd love the congressmen to join us. 00:02:05.39\00:02:07.56 Give his take on the integrity and the importance of voting." 00:02:07.59\00:02:10.63 They said yes on the spot. 00:02:10.66\00:02:12.93 The County Registrar-Recorder's office 00:02:12.96\00:02:15.00 was on hand and county supervisor's rep 00:02:15.03\00:02:17.30 was on hand. 00:02:17.33\00:02:18.67 It was most successful. 00:02:18.70\00:02:20.34 And it probably is easier to get people on Zoom 00:02:20.37\00:02:22.60 than to come attend your meeting. 00:02:22.64\00:02:24.14 It is. 00:02:24.17\00:02:25.51 So COVID has helped in that way where we are still visible. 00:02:25.54\00:02:28.64 They're still hearing from me, and we're still partnering. 00:02:28.68\00:02:31.45 We're still partnering. 00:02:31.48\00:02:32.91 Didn't you tell me a story about 00:02:32.95\00:02:36.15 they came to you seeking some materials 00:02:36.18\00:02:38.65 and you were an intermediary and found the materials 00:02:38.69\00:02:41.36 and supplied them to this government entity? 00:02:41.39\00:02:46.09 About the town hall? 00:02:46.13\00:02:47.76 If it was... 00:02:47.80\00:02:49.13 Tell me, tell me something that fits that. 00:02:49.16\00:02:50.50 Okay, yes. I'm sorry. I'm sure I have that one too. 00:02:50.53\00:02:53.17 I've so many stories in my head. 00:02:53.20\00:02:54.54 I know. 00:02:54.57\00:02:55.90 You've told me things over 00:02:55.94\00:02:57.27 the last few years that are amazing. 00:02:57.31\00:02:59.14 Well, first, I want to say that a lot of the time I thought, 00:02:59.17\00:03:02.61 at the beginning, I thought God will open the doors, 00:03:02.64\00:03:04.68 I'll walk into the offices, meet the gatekeepers, 00:03:04.71\00:03:07.98 as I was told the receptionists, 00:03:08.02\00:03:10.22 the field reps. 00:03:10.25\00:03:11.59 That isn't what was happening. 00:03:11.62\00:03:12.95 I would meet them out at the events. 00:03:12.99\00:03:14.89 But you are a footstone for them... 00:03:14.92\00:03:17.73 Yes, yes. 00:03:17.76\00:03:19.09 That cuts through all of it. Yes, exactly. 00:03:19.13\00:03:21.10 I show up and it just, it falls into place. 00:03:21.13\00:03:24.97 I was at actually a legislative briefing, 00:03:25.00\00:03:29.04 because again I went on websites 00:03:29.07\00:03:30.51 for the different members of Congress in our area, 00:03:30.54\00:03:33.41 Senate. 00:03:33.44\00:03:34.78 I've been at Dianne Feinstein's office 00:03:34.81\00:03:36.14 actually. 00:03:36.18\00:03:37.51 Have I ever told you that? No. 00:03:37.55\00:03:39.68 But I would always have the opportunity to go meet 00:03:39.71\00:03:42.15 the, in this case, a congresswoman. 00:03:42.18\00:03:44.52 And Dianne Feinstein, for example, 00:03:44.55\00:03:46.19 was very helpful for us 00:03:46.22\00:03:48.42 in establishing the Liberty dinner. 00:03:48.46\00:03:50.16 Yes. 00:03:50.19\00:03:51.53 It was under her sponsorship that we had the room in 00:03:51.56\00:03:55.26 the Russell Senate Caucus room, 00:03:55.30\00:03:58.37 where they used to have the Watergate hearings 00:03:58.40\00:04:01.47 many years ago. 00:04:01.50\00:04:02.84 And for years, 00:04:02.87\00:04:04.21 we had our Liberty dinner there, 00:04:04.24\00:04:05.57 but we had to have sponsorship from some Senatorial office 00:04:05.61\00:04:08.58 and it was Dianne Feinstein's office. 00:04:08.61\00:04:09.94 Oh, her staffers are amazing and very responsive. 00:04:09.98\00:04:11.55 Yeah, obviously through her staffer, 00:04:11.58\00:04:13.85 but I suppose they clear that with her. 00:04:13.88\00:04:16.95 Oh, yes, yes. 00:04:16.99\00:04:18.32 And so I was at a congressional hearing, 00:04:18.35\00:04:20.99 legislative briefing, 00:04:21.02\00:04:22.36 I'll talk about the congressional hearing. 00:04:22.39\00:04:24.43 And I met the congresswoman, spoke a little bit. 00:04:24.46\00:04:27.30 And because I had stopped into her office a few times, 00:04:27.33\00:04:31.07 her district director was standing by her 00:04:31.10\00:04:33.30 and he says, "Oh, I've heard about you. 00:04:33.34\00:04:34.90 I've heard your name. You've come by our office. 00:04:34.94\00:04:37.31 " And she's like, "Oh, okay. You're familiar with her. 00:04:37.34\00:04:39.51 Yes, I'd like to have a meeting." 00:04:39.54\00:04:40.88 "Sure set up a meeting." 00:04:40.91\00:04:42.24 So I did, went in, 00:04:42.28\00:04:44.58 her district director was there. 00:04:44.61\00:04:46.18 And actually, Dennis Seaton again 00:04:46.21\00:04:47.95 from Church State Council 00:04:47.98\00:04:49.45 and then our vice president from our Southern Conference, 00:04:49.48\00:04:51.65 they came with me, they attended the meeting. 00:04:51.69\00:04:53.82 Very good meeting, 00:04:53.86\00:04:55.19 I'd put together a portfolio of services. 00:04:55.22\00:04:57.23 So I didn't know during my first meetings, 00:04:57.26\00:04:59.49 what am I doing to speak about 00:04:59.53\00:05:00.86 if I didn't have someone with me. 00:05:00.90\00:05:02.70 So I put together this book a portfolio of services 00:05:02.73\00:05:05.23 that told about our services 00:05:05.27\00:05:07.80 and resources as a church organization 00:05:07.84\00:05:10.71 and how we can partner with their resources 00:05:10.74\00:05:13.34 and services in the community. 00:05:13.38\00:05:15.54 So I go through my presentation, 00:05:15.58\00:05:17.61 meeting went very well. 00:05:17.65\00:05:18.98 And what's interesting about this is out 00:05:19.01\00:05:20.62 in the hallway afterwards, 00:05:20.65\00:05:21.98 I didn't know this, because I stayed in, 00:05:22.02\00:05:24.15 and I had a second meeting with her 00:05:24.19\00:05:25.52 legislative policy director 00:05:25.55\00:05:27.86 to go over possible new laws for human trafficking, 00:05:27.89\00:05:32.89 to curtail human trafficking. 00:05:32.93\00:05:34.26 So I'm still in the human trafficking arena. 00:05:34.30\00:05:37.80 Later, I find out that her district director 00:05:37.83\00:05:39.83 was interested about Adventism, 00:05:39.87\00:05:41.54 he started asking questions about our faith. 00:05:41.57\00:05:44.81 So it's... 00:05:44.84\00:05:46.17 Really it's about the gospel too. 00:05:46.21\00:05:47.94 We are witnessing as we're out there talking 00:05:47.98\00:05:50.68 and speaking to them, they're getting, 00:05:50.71\00:05:52.11 they'd say, "Adventists, well, what are they about?" 00:05:52.15\00:05:54.48 And who knows how many have maybe googled 00:05:54.52\00:05:57.19 or walked into a church, 00:05:57.22\00:05:58.55 because we've been there talking to them. 00:05:58.59\00:06:01.52 You never know. I mean, the web of contacts. 00:06:01.56\00:06:05.03 You just don't know. 00:06:05.06\00:06:06.39 And you're reminding me and I try to keep this in mind 00:06:06.43\00:06:08.96 of what I said to my wife many years ago, 00:06:09.00\00:06:11.57 when I was back in Australia 00:06:11.60\00:06:12.93 and got a call to come to a publishing house 00:06:12.97\00:06:16.00 at Pacific Press in Idaho. 00:06:16.04\00:06:18.74 She didn't want to leave Australia 00:06:18.77\00:06:20.21 and I was a bit apprehensive, because in Australia, 00:06:20.24\00:06:23.45 they think that all the troubles of the world 00:06:23.48\00:06:25.25 are coming to the US not down there. 00:06:25.28\00:06:27.15 They're apart from they think. 00:06:27.18\00:06:30.02 And she says, "Why should you go? 00:06:30.05\00:06:31.39 There's gonna be trouble there." 00:06:31.42\00:06:32.75 And I said, "Well, 00:06:32.79\00:06:34.12 this request to go seems so providential." 00:06:34.16\00:06:36.93 And I said, "I don't know, but maybe 00:06:36.96\00:06:40.36 God's plan is just that I make some contact at some point 00:06:40.40\00:06:43.97 that leads to something else to something else." 00:06:44.00\00:06:45.93 And that's what this is all about, 00:06:45.97\00:06:47.30 just a singular moment. 00:06:47.34\00:06:49.50 And I really believe that. 00:06:49.54\00:06:50.91 I mean, our life is not just one thing. 00:06:50.94\00:06:53.88 But the real power of these contacts 00:06:53.91\00:06:56.88 and that God's leading may be 00:06:56.91\00:06:58.28 that you're a link in a great scheme, 00:06:58.31\00:07:02.58 if want of a better word, 00:07:02.62\00:07:04.05 for God to spread the word in an area 00:07:04.09\00:07:06.92 that might never have gone. 00:07:06.96\00:07:08.29 And so you don't know that momentary contact. 00:07:08.32\00:07:10.43 It's powerful. 00:07:10.46\00:07:11.79 Because what I'm trying to let them know is 00:07:11.83\00:07:13.66 who we are and what we really do. 00:07:13.70\00:07:15.86 Sometimes, some of them don't even, 00:07:15.90\00:07:18.07 have never heard of Seventh-day Adventist. 00:07:18.10\00:07:20.00 I went into a senator's office, this district director, 00:07:20.04\00:07:22.74 first thing she says when I met with her, 00:07:22.77\00:07:24.74 when she saw my portfolio, 00:07:24.77\00:07:26.71 "Oh, Seventh-day Adventist, aren't you vegetarians?" 00:07:26.74\00:07:29.78 Most of my meeting that day 00:07:29.81\00:07:31.15 was a half hour talking about recipes. 00:07:31.18\00:07:33.31 And I've given her recipes and she's writing them down. 00:07:33.35\00:07:35.65 I sent her a package of recipes after that. 00:07:35.68\00:07:37.89 And that's the same senator... 00:07:37.92\00:07:39.25 And no chocolate chip cookies recipe? 00:07:39.29\00:07:40.62 Not the cookies. 00:07:40.66\00:07:43.26 Oat meal patties and, you know... 00:07:43.29\00:07:46.23 It's a very good entering wedge and it's not just device. 00:07:46.26\00:07:49.50 I mean, godly living requires respect for your body 00:07:49.53\00:07:52.53 and healthful living, so... 00:07:52.57\00:07:53.90 Exactly, exactly. 00:07:53.94\00:07:55.27 I think Adventists sometimes don't really 00:07:55.30\00:07:57.14 show it as an integrated approach 00:07:57.17\00:07:58.67 to our worship of God. 00:07:58.71\00:08:00.41 But it's that same senator's office 00:08:00.44\00:08:01.84 that recently asked me to help at their grab-and-go, 00:08:01.88\00:08:03.95 grocery grab-and-go. 00:08:03.98\00:08:05.31 And it's been two, three years since her and I met. 00:08:05.35\00:08:08.42 And when and I sent her a whole package, an envelope, 00:08:08.45\00:08:11.05 a little goodie package of recipes after that. 00:08:11.09\00:08:14.49 But so this member of Congress, 00:08:14.52\00:08:17.96 I do let them know that we are neutral, 00:08:17.99\00:08:20.63 non-partisan. 00:08:20.66\00:08:22.00 And sometimes it is brought up to me, 00:08:22.03\00:08:24.17 well, what about separation of church and state? 00:08:24.20\00:08:26.50 Why are you here wanting to build relationships with us 00:08:26.53\00:08:29.24 when you oppose us? 00:08:29.27\00:08:31.54 This opens the door for me. 00:08:31.57\00:08:33.21 And this is what I say all the time. 00:08:33.24\00:08:37.55 And I say yes, they are... 00:08:37.58\00:08:39.85 I bring up Church State Council first of all, 00:08:39.88\00:08:41.68 I let them know that we do 00:08:41.72\00:08:43.89 protect and defend all people's faith. 00:08:43.92\00:08:46.79 If there's a religious liberty issue 00:08:46.82\00:08:48.32 at stake, we will step up and help everyone. 00:08:48.36\00:08:51.16 It's not just ourselves. 00:08:51.19\00:08:53.16 Then I let them know that yes, 00:08:53.19\00:08:54.83 we protect the wall of separation 00:08:54.86\00:08:56.36 of church and state, because we don't want to do 00:08:56.40\00:08:58.97 is impose our authority on you or your authority on us. 00:08:59.00\00:09:02.67 You're busy, you have important work to do, 00:09:02.70\00:09:05.24 we don't have time for that. 00:09:05.27\00:09:06.71 But I let them know, let's meet in the middle, 00:09:06.74\00:09:08.81 let's build a healthy relationship 00:09:08.84\00:09:11.01 to where we're pooling our resources together. 00:09:11.05\00:09:13.55 Let's do something good in the community. 00:09:13.58\00:09:14.92 Now you're explaining it directly. 00:09:14.95\00:09:16.28 And this is a good time for me 00:09:16.32\00:09:17.65 to interject by way of informing the viewers. 00:09:17.69\00:09:21.26 In the US at the moment 00:09:21.29\00:09:22.62 apart from the debate over the election and so on, 00:09:22.66\00:09:24.89 there's been a lot of talk about religious liberty, 00:09:24.93\00:09:28.96 very good statements, 00:09:29.00\00:09:30.37 but behind them is really a change dynamic. 00:09:30.40\00:09:33.00 It's not really what you and I would understand 00:09:33.03\00:09:35.90 is true religious liberty operating 00:09:35.94\00:09:37.37 within the constraints of separation 00:09:37.41\00:09:39.07 of church and state. 00:09:39.11\00:09:40.44 Its religious entitlement, 00:09:40.48\00:09:42.78 special treatment for a certain form of religion. 00:09:42.81\00:09:45.28 And that at the end of the day 00:09:45.31\00:09:46.65 is the antithetical opposite to true religious liberty. 00:09:46.68\00:09:50.49 So you need to beware like, you know, the old saying, 00:09:50.52\00:09:53.36 beware of Greeks carrying gifts, 00:09:53.39\00:09:55.82 from the ferry to the Trojan horse. 00:09:55.86\00:09:57.63 And they can be a Trojan horse issue 00:09:57.66\00:10:00.10 on religious liberty that sort of is taking advantage, 00:10:00.13\00:10:03.70 but it's not true religious liberty, 00:10:03.73\00:10:05.07 it's not concerned for all people of faith, 00:10:05.10\00:10:07.00 their freedom from coercion 00:10:07.04\00:10:08.90 and freedom from government intrusion. 00:10:08.94\00:10:11.24 Well, I had one member of Congress 00:10:11.27\00:10:12.74 when I gave her my NARLA card. 00:10:12.77\00:10:15.31 And they said, "Oh, you know..." 00:10:15.34\00:10:16.71 Sometimes when they kind of see... 00:10:16.75\00:10:18.08 I see an eyebrow grow up. 00:10:18.11\00:10:19.45 NARLA again, North American Religious Liberty Association. 00:10:19.48\00:10:22.02 Sometimes I see a little eyebrow go up 00:10:22.05\00:10:23.45 when they see religious liberty, 00:10:23.49\00:10:24.82 that term, especially in this era. 00:10:24.85\00:10:27.56 Yes, I know, because it's often used 00:10:27.59\00:10:29.82 as an improper wedge for power. 00:10:29.86\00:10:32.66 Yes, but when they really hear what we are about, 00:10:32.69\00:10:35.33 what we defend and how we stand up 00:10:35.36\00:10:37.07 for what's good and what's right, 00:10:37.10\00:10:38.83 and let's build a healthy relationship. 00:10:38.87\00:10:40.60 Yes, there's a separation, 00:10:40.64\00:10:41.97 but there can be a healthy relationship. 00:10:42.00\00:10:44.44 One member of Congress, 00:10:44.47\00:10:45.81 she put her hand on my arm and she says, 00:10:45.84\00:10:47.18 "I'm so glad you said that. 00:10:47.21\00:10:48.54 Thank you." 00:10:48.58\00:10:49.91 You know, so they welcome the explanation. 00:10:49.94\00:10:51.81 And what you're telling me is very interesting 00:10:51.85\00:10:53.48 that these different legislators 00:10:53.52\00:10:55.65 are most aware 00:10:55.68\00:10:57.02 of the separation of church and state necessity. 00:10:57.05\00:11:01.06 It's come up a couple of times... 00:11:01.09\00:11:02.42 And I presume respectful of it, but that's interesting. 00:11:02.46\00:11:05.69 Yes. And I have the opportunity to explain to them. 00:11:05.73\00:11:07.93 Yes, I will not back... 00:11:07.96\00:11:09.50 You know, I won't sacrifice our truths 00:11:09.53\00:11:11.90 or my beliefs just to be accepted by someone. 00:11:11.93\00:11:15.90 And if I say yes, we defend the separation of church 00:11:15.94\00:11:18.94 and state and tell them why and how. 00:11:18.97\00:11:20.94 So really the payoff for you is that it leads very quickly 00:11:20.98\00:11:24.71 to where you're explaining our principles of faith 00:11:24.75\00:11:28.25 and religious liberty. 00:11:28.28\00:11:30.19 Yes, and I don't back down from it. 00:11:30.22\00:11:32.22 And I think they appreciate that. 00:11:32.25\00:11:34.22 Because then they see that 00:11:34.26\00:11:35.59 if I'm going to stand on our truth 00:11:35.62\00:11:37.26 for what's good and right, 00:11:37.29\00:11:38.86 when I tell them, let's partner together, 00:11:38.89\00:11:40.96 let's do something good together, 00:11:41.00\00:11:42.33 they know I'm going to stand on that promise also. 00:11:42.36\00:11:48.64 I think it's in the Book of Revelation 00:11:48.67\00:11:50.27 that Jesus says, "Behold, 00:11:50.31\00:11:52.11 I have set before you an open door." 00:11:52.14\00:11:55.94 And the idea is that if God opens a door, 00:11:55.98\00:11:58.45 no one can close it. 00:11:58.48\00:12:00.15 And the idea must be as Pati as discovered, 00:12:00.18\00:12:02.32 if God opens a door, walk through it. 00:12:02.35\00:12:05.75 And we're very encouraged 00:12:05.79\00:12:07.32 in our religious liberty fraternity 00:12:07.36\00:12:09.99 in North America that people like Pati 00:12:10.03\00:12:13.50 have been able to take up the challenge 00:12:13.53\00:12:16.06 and with the holy boldness that comes from believing 00:12:16.10\00:12:19.23 in what you're selling, which is liberty, 00:12:19.27\00:12:22.54 religious liberty and knowledge of God's privilege 00:12:22.57\00:12:27.18 to proclaim freedom. 00:12:27.21\00:12:29.21 With that, you know, 00:12:29.24\00:12:31.21 you don't need to be afraid 00:12:31.25\00:12:32.58 that people will listen to you, the doors will open, 00:12:32.61\00:12:35.68 influence for religious liberty and by extension, 00:12:35.72\00:12:39.35 the community that's behind you, 00:12:39.39\00:12:41.09 in this case, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 00:12:41.12\00:12:43.09 all of that is advanced. 00:12:43.12\00:12:45.39 And I know that as Pati tells that it's exciting, 00:12:45.43\00:12:48.50 because there are great possibilities. 00:12:48.53\00:12:50.70 There are limitless possibilities, 00:12:50.73\00:12:52.67 and no matter how difficult the times, 00:12:52.70\00:12:55.07 and these are difficult, COVID-19, 00:12:55.10\00:12:58.07 and prejudice in high places to somewhat paraphrase for, 00:12:58.11\00:13:03.51 no matter all of that, God opens doors, 00:13:03.55\00:13:07.55 and the religious liberty story must be of a continuing 00:13:07.58\00:13:11.52 opening of doors right through to the kingdom. 00:13:11.55\00:13:14.36 And as we open those doors, those behind them, 00:13:14.39\00:13:17.33 many of them will then travel with us 00:13:17.36\00:13:19.39 through to that next level, 00:13:19.43\00:13:20.90 because there are many as Ellen White told 00:13:20.93\00:13:22.86 Seventh-day Adventists looking wistfully to heaven 00:13:22.90\00:13:26.20 and they will join us. 00:13:26.23\00:13:28.40 For Liberty Insider, this is Lincoln Steed. 00:13:28.44\00:13:31.37