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From Here... A Refrain of Appreciation
by Major Terry
Shaffer
From Here…
I see from my apartment a view of the ocean. Some days its
just a smooth shimmering of sparkles. Other times, the ocean
is storm tossed, and the waves come crashing down to the
shore. Being on the ocean shore, it brings to mind the
Founder’s song, “O boundless salvation! Deep ocean of love…Now
flowing for all men, come, roll over me!”.
From Here…
I never had the thought that my future would include retiring
from The Salvation Army as an officer. Growing up in another
Christian denomination, my paths never crossed with the Army,
until much later in my life. Praise God for opportunities to
serve him!
From Here…
I am grateful for an officer’s ministry to my family and a
Corps Sargeant Major’s testimony in a salvation meeting and
how both of them pointed me to a saving relationship with
Christ.
From Here…
I was challenged on my soldier’s enrollment to take seriously
the soldier’s Articles of War (A Soldier’s Covenant) and
challenged “do not leave the dear old flag”.
From Here…
I wonder how seriously we take and reflect on our soldier’s
covenant. What does it mean to be a covenant-based faith
community vs. being a membership organization? And how does
being bound together through our soldier’s covenant help us
move forward as an Army in the salvation war? How does our
covenant make us a countercultural force movement vs. just
another church option on Sunday morning?
From Here…
I wonder how seriously we take our call to follow Jesus as
salvationists? How much time is devoted to bible reading and
study? How much time is spent in prayer to grow closer to the
Lord? Are we able (and want to) to share what we believe and
the reasons we do what we do? Where and how can we provide an
opportunity for
people to hear the gospel message outside of our chapels? Do
our meetings allow an opportunity for a decision to be made?
From Here…
I wonder how seriously we understand the need for trained and
engaged soldiers.
Have we taken a clerical vs. laity mindset in regard to roles
and functions? How does not utilizing all soldiers and their
skills hamper our efforts to share the gospel to the
whosoever? Does not every soldier have a
role in the salvation war?
From Here…
I forever
praise and give thanks that God has raised up this part
of the Church called The Salvation Army for his purposes and
glory. May God bless us as we seek to know and do His will
in all the places our Salvation Army is called to
serve.
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