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Blog of selected proponents of primitive salvationism emanating from Vancouver
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
March 30, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
In our cell meting today, my cellmates and I read about God taking us captive (2 Corinthians 2:14 NLT) and leading us in triumphal procession in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah.
Anyway, someone asked how you become a captive of God. The answer- by becoming captivated by Jesus.
Nice.
Our MO is capture, train, deploy.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
In our cell meting today, my cellmates and I read about God taking us captive (2 Corinthians 2:14 NLT) and leading us in triumphal procession in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah.
Anyway, someone asked how you become a captive of God. The answer- by becoming captivated by Jesus.
Nice.
Our MO is capture, train, deploy.
posted by Stephen Court
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
March 29, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I fight under a great leader. He expects heaps but provides the appropriate support to meet the expectations. Even in the last month or two he has thrown out ideas that are now happening on the ground in our 614 War.
One of the little bits I love is his thing on hours. I guess some congregational leaders complain about how long they have to work. He noted that their local leaders put in 50 hours in their employment and often another 10-15/week with the congregation.
In light of that he doesn't want anyone complaining to him until we're consistently over 60. Thus, the 60 hour fight week.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I fight under a great leader. He expects heaps but provides the appropriate support to meet the expectations. Even in the last month or two he has thrown out ideas that are now happening on the ground in our 614 War.
One of the little bits I love is his thing on hours. I guess some congregational leaders complain about how long they have to work. He noted that their local leaders put in 50 hours in their employment and often another 10-15/week with the congregation.
In light of that he doesn't want anyone complaining to him until we're consistently over 60. Thus, the 60 hour fight week.
posted by Stephen Court
Monday, March 29, 2004
March 28, 2004.
blnus blog
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I guess yesterday I should have ended with a couple of more words- words like desperate, utterly dependent...
And as for today's on crying, I want to avoid sentimentality (and nostalgia, for that matter). But that is what happened.
My friend Kirsten fired me this gouging bit from Basil (saint):
"The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat hanging
unused in your closet belongs to the one who needs it; the shoes rotting
in your closet belong to someone who has no shoes; the money which you
put in the bank belongs to the poor. You do wrong to everyone you could
help but fail to help."
Have a nice sleep (if you can sleep after that exhortation).
posted by Stephen Court
blnus blog
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I guess yesterday I should have ended with a couple of more words- words like desperate, utterly dependent...
And as for today's on crying, I want to avoid sentimentality (and nostalgia, for that matter). But that is what happened.
My friend Kirsten fired me this gouging bit from Basil (saint):
"The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat hanging
unused in your closet belongs to the one who needs it; the shoes rotting
in your closet belong to someone who has no shoes; the money which you
put in the bank belongs to the poor. You do wrong to everyone you could
help but fail to help."
Have a nice sleep (if you can sleep after that exhortation).
posted by Stephen Court
March 28, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Last week I was out ballin' with my pals. One of my friends answered the phone in my absence and (mis)informed the caller that I was out bowling (a bowling ball is a lot heavier than a basketball).
I'm not that great of a baller. But I like it. (watch this clumsy seque). I'm not much of a bawler, but I like it.
I can moisten up with the best of them- I mean, this morning during the holiness meeting at Southmount I moistened a couple of times- during the band's rendition of Eric Ball's World Wide Witness, during Shimei Hewitt's song that she wrote to accompany this morning's preach, and (wait, that raises it from a couple to a few) during part of Heather Wright's pitch wrapping up the preach.
But I'm talking about bawling. I did a light one last week while listening to my friend Phil Laeger's demo of a song called BLESS HIS NAME. It is a new tune to old words that originally ripped off a pub tune called CHAMPAIGN CHARLIE IS MY NAME. Now he's ripped the words off. What goes around comes around. Anyway, it wasn't the beautiful music or the contagious hook (which, by the way, has kept the main line in my hummer ever since) but the wonderful truth expressed in those simple words, probably cockneyed to fit the original tune, yet as amazing as the most eloquent Charles Wesley poetry.
But I was a fawcet earlier that day watching PRINCE OF EGYPT with my son, Zion. You see, God was parting the Red Sea and I was explaining to Zion not only what was happening but also its significance. He's one, so sometimes he needs a little commentary to go with his cartoon movies. But just speaking out the enormity of God's power and provision, His grace and His judgement, all played out graphically by the people of God and the people of Pharaoh, was a little overwhelming.
Zion didn't know what I was doing. I guess he's used to being the biggest crier in our home. It was the whole ball of wax- the hyperventilation, the curled lips, the snot flying every which way. Quite a sight to behold.
These experiences wash away build-up in the system that creates layers between my heart and the agony of the world. It's good stuff. Booth exhorted us to 'try tears'. It works.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Last week I was out ballin' with my pals. One of my friends answered the phone in my absence and (mis)informed the caller that I was out bowling (a bowling ball is a lot heavier than a basketball).
I'm not that great of a baller. But I like it. (watch this clumsy seque). I'm not much of a bawler, but I like it.
I can moisten up with the best of them- I mean, this morning during the holiness meeting at Southmount I moistened a couple of times- during the band's rendition of Eric Ball's World Wide Witness, during Shimei Hewitt's song that she wrote to accompany this morning's preach, and (wait, that raises it from a couple to a few) during part of Heather Wright's pitch wrapping up the preach.
But I'm talking about bawling. I did a light one last week while listening to my friend Phil Laeger's demo of a song called BLESS HIS NAME. It is a new tune to old words that originally ripped off a pub tune called CHAMPAIGN CHARLIE IS MY NAME. Now he's ripped the words off. What goes around comes around. Anyway, it wasn't the beautiful music or the contagious hook (which, by the way, has kept the main line in my hummer ever since) but the wonderful truth expressed in those simple words, probably cockneyed to fit the original tune, yet as amazing as the most eloquent Charles Wesley poetry.
But I was a fawcet earlier that day watching PRINCE OF EGYPT with my son, Zion. You see, God was parting the Red Sea and I was explaining to Zion not only what was happening but also its significance. He's one, so sometimes he needs a little commentary to go with his cartoon movies. But just speaking out the enormity of God's power and provision, His grace and His judgement, all played out graphically by the people of God and the people of Pharaoh, was a little overwhelming.
Zion didn't know what I was doing. I guess he's used to being the biggest crier in our home. It was the whole ball of wax- the hyperventilation, the curled lips, the snot flying every which way. Quite a sight to behold.
These experiences wash away build-up in the system that creates layers between my heart and the agony of the world. It's good stuff. Booth exhorted us to 'try tears'. It works.
posted by Stephen Court
Sunday, March 28, 2004
March 27, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Danielle (my wife) is teaching people how to listen to God (well, she's been doing that for a long time) from a book by Brad Jersak called CAN YOU HEAR ME?
One of the exercises is to ask Jesus questions, one of which is, "What do You want to ask me?"
The last time we did this the question I heard was, "Why don't you do signs and wonders?"
Speechless. Frustrated. Hungry. Determined.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Danielle (my wife) is teaching people how to listen to God (well, she's been doing that for a long time) from a book by Brad Jersak called CAN YOU HEAR ME?
One of the exercises is to ask Jesus questions, one of which is, "What do You want to ask me?"
The last time we did this the question I heard was, "Why don't you do signs and wonders?"
Speechless. Frustrated. Hungry. Determined.
posted by Stephen Court
Saturday, March 27, 2004
March 26, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Some of you may have heard about miracles and conversions happening on the film set for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST (TPOTC).
THis is one story by James Caviezel, from The Wall Street Journal (online):
"Miraculous things have happened. When I was hit by lightning [during the filming of a crucifixion scene], it was the one day I didn't have communion. We always had mass and I always received communion but on that one day the priest ran out of hosts. I was up there on the cross and I was hit and we knew I was going to be hit, we could see it coming. And the eyes of the men below me turned glossy. Everything was pink, fire coming from both sides of my head. And there was a sound--it was like the sound of the planes hitting the building on 9/11, a weird, guttural, discordant sound. Not like an explosion. And then afterwards I heard the sound when they played one of the films, the videotape [of the World Trade Center on 9/11, on television] and it was like a shock: 'That is the sound of the lightning.' The plane going into the building.
Now there's an argument for the sacraments.
posted by Stephen Court
PS TPOTC cracked $300 mil yesterday (it took 29 days- fourth fastest of all time- behind Spider Man, Return of the King, and Star Wars- Episode 1).
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Some of you may have heard about miracles and conversions happening on the film set for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST (TPOTC).
THis is one story by James Caviezel, from The Wall Street Journal (online):
"Miraculous things have happened. When I was hit by lightning [during the filming of a crucifixion scene], it was the one day I didn't have communion. We always had mass and I always received communion but on that one day the priest ran out of hosts. I was up there on the cross and I was hit and we knew I was going to be hit, we could see it coming. And the eyes of the men below me turned glossy. Everything was pink, fire coming from both sides of my head. And there was a sound--it was like the sound of the planes hitting the building on 9/11, a weird, guttural, discordant sound. Not like an explosion. And then afterwards I heard the sound when they played one of the films, the videotape [of the World Trade Center on 9/11, on television] and it was like a shock: 'That is the sound of the lightning.' The plane going into the building.
Now there's an argument for the sacraments.
posted by Stephen Court
PS TPOTC cracked $300 mil yesterday (it took 29 days- fourth fastest of all time- behind Spider Man, Return of the King, and Star Wars- Episode 1).
Friday, March 26, 2004
March 25, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I just read a strong article on the Mercy Seat by David Hammond (Colonel, in HORIZONS Mag). In it he quotes General Albert Orsborn:
"There are those who tell us that the hope of The Salvation Army in the future is its young people. I do not agree with that. The hope for the Army is in its penitent form."
Nice.
It is the place of spiritual transaction, where sins are repented and forgiven, where old is exchanged for new, where 'mine' is consecrated to become 'Yours', where carnal Christianity is traded in for sanctification.
Let's continue to emphasize it. A movement's theology can be inferred from its meetings/services (that's my argument- feel free to attack it- info@thewarcollege.com). Our meetings focus on the Mercy Seat, the place of spiritual transacation. We're a people who encounter God to be tranformed by God into godliness. Let's settle for nothing less.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I just read a strong article on the Mercy Seat by David Hammond (Colonel, in HORIZONS Mag). In it he quotes General Albert Orsborn:
"There are those who tell us that the hope of The Salvation Army in the future is its young people. I do not agree with that. The hope for the Army is in its penitent form."
Nice.
It is the place of spiritual transaction, where sins are repented and forgiven, where old is exchanged for new, where 'mine' is consecrated to become 'Yours', where carnal Christianity is traded in for sanctification.
Let's continue to emphasize it. A movement's theology can be inferred from its meetings/services (that's my argument- feel free to attack it- info@thewarcollege.com). Our meetings focus on the Mercy Seat, the place of spiritual transacation. We're a people who encounter God to be tranformed by God into godliness. Let's settle for nothing less.
posted by Stephen Court
Thursday, March 25, 2004
March 24, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
So, this blog thing seems to be working well. My friend Gordon Cotterill blogs regularly from Poplar, London, England. His blog is called URBANArmy. You can access it from this page (see top right) or from the main armybarmy.com page (right side, soon with an icon).
His blog will give you a different perspective on the Salvation War on a similar front. It is way more into... well, I'll let you see for yourself (it include a neat feature on the right side with some of the key blogs over his bloglife).
Here is the lowdown on URBANArmy:
URBANarmy
www.urbanarmy.blogspot.com
URBANarmy – is the thoughts and theological reflections of an insignificant Salvation Army officer trying to show true hope, grace, love and freedom in a significant way.
URBANarmy – is a story of Missio Dei driving an all-encompassing grace-centred mission.
URBANarmy – is an open compilation of lessons learned from day to day ministry, dialogue and reading.
URBANarmy – is Gordon who finds total fulfillment in demonstrating the Kingdom of God alongside his Corps in their fragmented inner city community of Poplar, London, and UK (Captain Gordon Cotterill is at the oldest existing corps in the world).
Enjoy this addition to the lineup.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
So, this blog thing seems to be working well. My friend Gordon Cotterill blogs regularly from Poplar, London, England. His blog is called URBANArmy. You can access it from this page (see top right) or from the main armybarmy.com page (right side, soon with an icon).
His blog will give you a different perspective on the Salvation War on a similar front. It is way more into... well, I'll let you see for yourself (it include a neat feature on the right side with some of the key blogs over his bloglife).
Here is the lowdown on URBANArmy:
URBANarmy
www.urbanarmy.blogspot.com
URBANarmy – is the thoughts and theological reflections of an insignificant Salvation Army officer trying to show true hope, grace, love and freedom in a significant way.
URBANarmy – is a story of Missio Dei driving an all-encompassing grace-centred mission.
URBANarmy – is an open compilation of lessons learned from day to day ministry, dialogue and reading.
URBANarmy – is Gordon who finds total fulfillment in demonstrating the Kingdom of God alongside his Corps in their fragmented inner city community of Poplar, London, and UK (Captain Gordon Cotterill is at the oldest existing corps in the world).
Enjoy this addition to the lineup.
posted by Stephen Court
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
March 23, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The first town to which I was appointed consisted of 11 church congregations, nine of which were led by people saved at The Salvation Army. I got to wondering how much of an impact the Army makes beyond the hard cold numbers...
But since I won't be able to find that until I'm in heaven, here are the hard cold numbers (2002 stats):
Statistics
Countries and other territories where SA serves
109
Languages used in SA work
175
Corps, outposts, societies, new plants and recovery churches
15,456
Goodwill centres
273
Officers
25,662
Active
17,407
Retired
8,255
Auxiliary-captains
383
Lieutenants
144
Envoys/sergeants, full-time
1,130
Cadets
968
Employees
107,724
Senior soldiers
1,010,829
Adherents
167,786
Junior soldiers
398,500
Corps cadets
38,400
Senior band musicians
29,472
Senior songsters
71,302
Other senior musical group members
41,094
Senior and young people’s local officers
121,314
Home league groups
8,915
Members
364,048
Other women’s ministries groups
3,546
Members
69,505
League of mercy groups
4,278
Members
110,774
SAMF members
8,973
Over-60 clubs
1,651
Members
84,434
Men’s fellowships
2,201
Members
48,180
Young people’s band members
13,957
Singing company members
67,514
Other young people’s music group members
35,369
Sunday school members
668,237
Junior youth group members
140,441
Senior youth group members
65,388
Corps-based community development programmes
582
Beneficiaries
546,414
Thrift stores/charity shops (corps)
1,396
Recycling centres
16
Social Programme
Residential
Hostels for homeless and transient
539
Capacity
29,264
Emergency lodges
211
Capacity
11,507
Children’s homes
202
Capacity
8,251
Homes for the elderly
212
Capacity
14,954
Homes for the disabled
39
Capacity
1,464
Homes for the blind
8
Capacity
369
Remand and probation homes
59
Capacity
941
Homes for street children
28
Capacity
567
Mother and baby homes
48
Capacity
1,588
Training centres for families
36
Capacity
877
Care homes for vulnerable people
45
Capacity
684
Women’s and men’s refuge centres
255
Capacity
2,035
Other residential care homes/hostels
246
Capacity
9,778
Day Care
Community centres
540
Early childhood education centres
218
Capacity
13,108
Day centres for the elderly
52
Capacity
1,456
Play groups
211
Capacity
5,811
Day centres for the hearing impaired
2
Capacity
70
Day centres for street children
18
Capacity
709
Day nurseries
112
Capacity
17,297
Drop-in centres for youth
178
Other day care centres
149
Capacity
2,644
Addiction Dependency
Non-residential programmes
92
Capacity
5,873
Residential programmes
128
Capacity
6,598
Harbour Light programmes
72
Capacity
6,543
Service to the Armed Forces
Hostels for service personnel
10
Clubs and canteens
26
Mobile units for service personnel
44
Chaplains
50
Emergency Response
Disaster rehabilitation schemes (inc civil unrest)
17,397
Participants
950,230
Refugee programmes – host country
5
Participants
7,860
Refugee rehabilitation programmes
1
Participants
7,000
Services to the Community
Prisoners visited
248,835
Prisoners helped on discharge
52,283
Police courts – people helped
137,184
Missing persons – applications
58,439
number traced
8,270
Night patrol/anti-suicide – number helped
42,798
Community youth programmes
61
Beneficiaries
7,872
Employment bureaux – applications
181,181
Initial referrals
164,882
Counselling – people helped
442,769
Feeding Centres
1,039
General relief – people helped
17,693,151
Emergency relief
3,792,919
Emergency mobile units
757
Restaurants and cafes
25
Thrift stores/charity shops (social)
1,398
Apartments for elderly
1,938
Capacity
5,233
Hostels for students, workers, etc
61
Capacity
3,511
Land settlements (SA villages)
10
Capacity
2,592
Other similar centres (farms, etc)
18
Capacity
37,211
Health Programme
General hospitals
25
Capacity
2,704
Maternity hospitals
8
Capacity
250
Other specialist hospitals
4
Capacity
188
General clinics
131
Specialist clinics
72
Capacity
5,215
Mobile clinics
346
Number of inpatients
352,147
Number of outpatients
934,667
Number of doctors/medics
6,480
Invalid/convalescent homes
2
Capacity
67
Health education programmes
44
Beneficiaries
619,687
Eye camp – beneficiaries
30,101
Education Programme
Kindergarten/sub primary
643
Primary schools
926
Upper primary and middle schools
88
Secondary and high schools
187
Number of pupils
440,056
Number of teachers
13,698
Vocational training schools
89
Schools for the blind
6
Schools for the disabled
9
Colleges, universities, staff training and distance learning centres
746
It gets you wondering how much of an impact the Army makes...
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The first town to which I was appointed consisted of 11 church congregations, nine of which were led by people saved at The Salvation Army. I got to wondering how much of an impact the Army makes beyond the hard cold numbers...
But since I won't be able to find that until I'm in heaven, here are the hard cold numbers (2002 stats):
Statistics
Countries and other territories where SA serves
109
Languages used in SA work
175
Corps, outposts, societies, new plants and recovery churches
15,456
Goodwill centres
273
Officers
25,662
Active
17,407
Retired
8,255
Auxiliary-captains
383
Lieutenants
144
Envoys/sergeants, full-time
1,130
Cadets
968
Employees
107,724
Senior soldiers
1,010,829
Adherents
167,786
Junior soldiers
398,500
Corps cadets
38,400
Senior band musicians
29,472
Senior songsters
71,302
Other senior musical group members
41,094
Senior and young people’s local officers
121,314
Home league groups
8,915
Members
364,048
Other women’s ministries groups
3,546
Members
69,505
League of mercy groups
4,278
Members
110,774
SAMF members
8,973
Over-60 clubs
1,651
Members
84,434
Men’s fellowships
2,201
Members
48,180
Young people’s band members
13,957
Singing company members
67,514
Other young people’s music group members
35,369
Sunday school members
668,237
Junior youth group members
140,441
Senior youth group members
65,388
Corps-based community development programmes
582
Beneficiaries
546,414
Thrift stores/charity shops (corps)
1,396
Recycling centres
16
Social Programme
Residential
Hostels for homeless and transient
539
Capacity
29,264
Emergency lodges
211
Capacity
11,507
Children’s homes
202
Capacity
8,251
Homes for the elderly
212
Capacity
14,954
Homes for the disabled
39
Capacity
1,464
Homes for the blind
8
Capacity
369
Remand and probation homes
59
Capacity
941
Homes for street children
28
Capacity
567
Mother and baby homes
48
Capacity
1,588
Training centres for families
36
Capacity
877
Care homes for vulnerable people
45
Capacity
684
Women’s and men’s refuge centres
255
Capacity
2,035
Other residential care homes/hostels
246
Capacity
9,778
Day Care
Community centres
540
Early childhood education centres
218
Capacity
13,108
Day centres for the elderly
52
Capacity
1,456
Play groups
211
Capacity
5,811
Day centres for the hearing impaired
2
Capacity
70
Day centres for street children
18
Capacity
709
Day nurseries
112
Capacity
17,297
Drop-in centres for youth
178
Other day care centres
149
Capacity
2,644
Addiction Dependency
Non-residential programmes
92
Capacity
5,873
Residential programmes
128
Capacity
6,598
Harbour Light programmes
72
Capacity
6,543
Service to the Armed Forces
Hostels for service personnel
10
Clubs and canteens
26
Mobile units for service personnel
44
Chaplains
50
Emergency Response
Disaster rehabilitation schemes (inc civil unrest)
17,397
Participants
950,230
Refugee programmes – host country
5
Participants
7,860
Refugee rehabilitation programmes
1
Participants
7,000
Services to the Community
Prisoners visited
248,835
Prisoners helped on discharge
52,283
Police courts – people helped
137,184
Missing persons – applications
58,439
number traced
8,270
Night patrol/anti-suicide – number helped
42,798
Community youth programmes
61
Beneficiaries
7,872
Employment bureaux – applications
181,181
Initial referrals
164,882
Counselling – people helped
442,769
Feeding Centres
1,039
General relief – people helped
17,693,151
Emergency relief
3,792,919
Emergency mobile units
757
Restaurants and cafes
25
Thrift stores/charity shops (social)
1,398
Apartments for elderly
1,938
Capacity
5,233
Hostels for students, workers, etc
61
Capacity
3,511
Land settlements (SA villages)
10
Capacity
2,592
Other similar centres (farms, etc)
18
Capacity
37,211
Health Programme
General hospitals
25
Capacity
2,704
Maternity hospitals
8
Capacity
250
Other specialist hospitals
4
Capacity
188
General clinics
131
Specialist clinics
72
Capacity
5,215
Mobile clinics
346
Number of inpatients
352,147
Number of outpatients
934,667
Number of doctors/medics
6,480
Invalid/convalescent homes
2
Capacity
67
Health education programmes
44
Beneficiaries
619,687
Eye camp – beneficiaries
30,101
Education Programme
Kindergarten/sub primary
643
Primary schools
926
Upper primary and middle schools
88
Secondary and high schools
187
Number of pupils
440,056
Number of teachers
13,698
Vocational training schools
89
Schools for the blind
6
Schools for the disabled
9
Colleges, universities, staff training and distance learning centres
746
It gets you wondering how much of an impact the Army makes...
posted by Stephen Court
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
March 22, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
In the war room I came across a classic old fight song that is pretty penetrating. Enjoy:
1.
Wanted, hearts baptized with fire,
Hearts completely cleansed from sin,
Hearts that will go to the mire,
Hearts that dare do aught for him;
Hearts that will be firmer, braver,
Hearts like heroes gone before,
Hearts enjoying God's full favor,
Hearts to love him more and more.
Chorus
Hearts to hoist the colors bravely,
Hearts to share the hardest fight,
Hearts that know their duty clearly,
Hearts to dare and do the right.
2.
Wanted, hearts that beat true ever,
Hearts that can for others feel,
Hearts that prove the traitor never,
Hearts that will the wounded heal;
Hearts o'erflowing with compassion,
Hearts renewed by grace divine,
Hearts aglow with full salvation,
Hearts to say: Thy will, not mine!
3.
Wanted, hearts to love the masses,
Hearts to help him seek the lost,
Hearts to help him save all classes,
Hearts to help him save the worst;
Hearts to share with him the weeping,
Hearts to bear with him the cross,
Hearts to help him with the reaping,
Hearts to trust through gain or loss.
4.
Wanted, hearts like thine, Lord, holy,
Hearts that in thine image shine,
Hearts that turn from sin and folly,
Hearts to know no way but thine;
Hearts that unto thee are given,
Hearts possessed with dying love,
Hearts on earth but filled with Heaven,
Hearts inspired from above .
John Lawley (1859-1922)
There you go.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
In the war room I came across a classic old fight song that is pretty penetrating. Enjoy:
1.
Wanted, hearts baptized with fire,
Hearts completely cleansed from sin,
Hearts that will go to the mire,
Hearts that dare do aught for him;
Hearts that will be firmer, braver,
Hearts like heroes gone before,
Hearts enjoying God's full favor,
Hearts to love him more and more.
Chorus
Hearts to hoist the colors bravely,
Hearts to share the hardest fight,
Hearts that know their duty clearly,
Hearts to dare and do the right.
2.
Wanted, hearts that beat true ever,
Hearts that can for others feel,
Hearts that prove the traitor never,
Hearts that will the wounded heal;
Hearts o'erflowing with compassion,
Hearts renewed by grace divine,
Hearts aglow with full salvation,
Hearts to say: Thy will, not mine!
3.
Wanted, hearts to love the masses,
Hearts to help him seek the lost,
Hearts to help him save all classes,
Hearts to help him save the worst;
Hearts to share with him the weeping,
Hearts to bear with him the cross,
Hearts to help him with the reaping,
Hearts to trust through gain or loss.
4.
Wanted, hearts like thine, Lord, holy,
Hearts that in thine image shine,
Hearts that turn from sin and folly,
Hearts to know no way but thine;
Hearts that unto thee are given,
Hearts possessed with dying love,
Hearts on earth but filled with Heaven,
Hearts inspired from above .
John Lawley (1859-1922)
There you go.
posted by Stephen Court
Monday, March 22, 2004
March 21, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Another thing that ticks me off sometimes is the growing recognition that your word means nothing in our society anymore. There really was a time during which your handshake was as good as a contract.
Now a contract isn't worth the paper its written on. Hubie Brooks (basketball coach, among many others in other sports- notably college football coaches) is just the most famous example. But it goes to the meanings of words, too (When I was growing up 'marriage' had something to do with an exclusive, life-long relationship between a man and a woman- then sometime in the early 21st century, someone went and changed the definition without emailing me).
When this covenant-breaking sneaks into the Church it really ticks me off.
I think John Wesley probably rolled over in his grave today (yes, I know he's not really there anymore).
An American United Methodist Church jury just acquited a lesbian minister of a charge of violating a church ban on ordaining "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals."
Now, how on earth could this self-avowed, practising homosexual minister be acquited of the charge? She is the dictionary definition of the ban.
Pansy Christians who cave in to the pressure of the world are pathetic. I'm talking about her jury, not her.
Nothing seems to matter anymore.
I'm not going to let JW down, even if the UMs fold their tent. And, BTW, who raised the tip from 10% to 15%?
posted by Stephen Court
PS TPOTC- $295 mil (#18 US all time)
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Another thing that ticks me off sometimes is the growing recognition that your word means nothing in our society anymore. There really was a time during which your handshake was as good as a contract.
Now a contract isn't worth the paper its written on. Hubie Brooks (basketball coach, among many others in other sports- notably college football coaches) is just the most famous example. But it goes to the meanings of words, too (When I was growing up 'marriage' had something to do with an exclusive, life-long relationship between a man and a woman- then sometime in the early 21st century, someone went and changed the definition without emailing me).
When this covenant-breaking sneaks into the Church it really ticks me off.
I think John Wesley probably rolled over in his grave today (yes, I know he's not really there anymore).
An American United Methodist Church jury just acquited a lesbian minister of a charge of violating a church ban on ordaining "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals."
Now, how on earth could this self-avowed, practising homosexual minister be acquited of the charge? She is the dictionary definition of the ban.
Pansy Christians who cave in to the pressure of the world are pathetic. I'm talking about her jury, not her.
Nothing seems to matter anymore.
I'm not going to let JW down, even if the UMs fold their tent. And, BTW, who raised the tip from 10% to 15%?
posted by Stephen Court
PS TPOTC- $295 mil (#18 US all time)
Sunday, March 21, 2004
March 20, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Our comrades in the UK Territory have just adopted a FAIRTRADE policy.
It means basically that farmers in the developing world will get a fair shot at doing business with us and our people (I'm adding the 'our people' in hope).
I need reminders like this. It is an issue I don't think about much, since I don't shop much. But my friends in Adelaide seem to make it a way of life. They're hardcore. It just seems like a big step toward fixing things on a global scale in a way that smacks of integrity.
I don't know how far it goes, but not knowing is a good tension (like the common purse tension I like to think I should feel, and bring up regularly at our cell leaders cell).
Praise God.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Our comrades in the UK Territory have just adopted a FAIRTRADE policy.
It means basically that farmers in the developing world will get a fair shot at doing business with us and our people (I'm adding the 'our people' in hope).
I need reminders like this. It is an issue I don't think about much, since I don't shop much. But my friends in Adelaide seem to make it a way of life. They're hardcore. It just seems like a big step toward fixing things on a global scale in a way that smacks of integrity.
I don't know how far it goes, but not knowing is a good tension (like the common purse tension I like to think I should feel, and bring up regularly at our cell leaders cell).
Praise God.
posted by Stephen Court
Saturday, March 20, 2004
March 19, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
This kind of stuff bugs me:
"a Manitoba medical student in 4th year who has been appealing since the fall a failing grade, despite a 98% mark on the written exam, in his obstetrics/gynecology rotation. The failing grade is soley because of his stand on the issue of abortion. This failing grade will prevent him from obtaining his M.D. after 4 years of hard work."
Just in case you weren't sure, his stand on abortion is that he won't do them. He believes in the sanctity of life.
What kind of country is this? I shouldn't be surprised. The devil is the god of this age. But we're fighting back. Wednesday was not only St. Pat's Day but also the national GAP Day on college campuses in Canada. Our guys were out at UBC fighting to establish some legal rights for people whom God knit in their mother's wombs... And there is more to come...
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
This kind of stuff bugs me:
"a Manitoba medical student in 4th year who has been appealing since the fall a failing grade, despite a 98% mark on the written exam, in his obstetrics/gynecology rotation. The failing grade is soley because of his stand on the issue of abortion. This failing grade will prevent him from obtaining his M.D. after 4 years of hard work."
Just in case you weren't sure, his stand on abortion is that he won't do them. He believes in the sanctity of life.
What kind of country is this? I shouldn't be surprised. The devil is the god of this age. But we're fighting back. Wednesday was not only St. Pat's Day but also the national GAP Day on college campuses in Canada. Our guys were out at UBC fighting to establish some legal rights for people whom God knit in their mother's wombs... And there is more to come...
posted by Stephen Court
Friday, March 19, 2004
March 18, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Jesus is very interested in our lives, you know. And very active, too. I just thought I'd remind you.
Now, in some quarters, not usually North America (although I hear that Fort Smith Arkansas is on a serious roll- Hallelujah!), people get saved faster than you can shake a stick at. Reinhard Bonnke has a goal of 100 million coversions this decade (nice).
One of my heroes had similar success. An evangelist named William Booth saw more people saved in his lifetime than anyone who had ever lived. And some people, good Christians, didn't like it. This is how Booth tells it:
"There is a great outcry–especially from those who every morning pray "Thy Kingdom come!” -that we are going too fast; they say we are ambitious and seeking great things.
"Can we go too fast, my comrades in saving souls? I will not attempt to answer that question. No soldier in the Salvation Army would ask such a question. It is an insult to the Bible–to the teachers of Christianity. I refuse to reply to it.
I love this guy. But, back to Booth:
"If anyone still wants a reply, let him ask the lost souls in Hell whose brothers and sisters are following them there. Let him go and ask the blood-washed throng in Heaven, whose eyes are wide open at last to the value of salvation. Let him anticipate the Judgment Day, and in spirit stand before the Throne and propose, if he dares, the question to God Almighty. I think from Hell, Heaven and the Great White Throne, the answer would come back; “More speed! Go faster!" If it should entail the stopping of legislature, pleasure, business, and all the employments and occupations of time, push forwards! Hurry onwards! Save the world!
Come on! I heard that! Preach it brother General! I love it. There is a whole article of this incendiary stuff, but you'll have to wait until the next issue of the Journal of Aggressive Christianity (number 30- finishing five years)- April 1, 2004. Anyway, let's speed on!
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Jesus is very interested in our lives, you know. And very active, too. I just thought I'd remind you.
Now, in some quarters, not usually North America (although I hear that Fort Smith Arkansas is on a serious roll- Hallelujah!), people get saved faster than you can shake a stick at. Reinhard Bonnke has a goal of 100 million coversions this decade (nice).
One of my heroes had similar success. An evangelist named William Booth saw more people saved in his lifetime than anyone who had ever lived. And some people, good Christians, didn't like it. This is how Booth tells it:
"There is a great outcry–especially from those who every morning pray "Thy Kingdom come!” -that we are going too fast; they say we are ambitious and seeking great things.
"Can we go too fast, my comrades in saving souls? I will not attempt to answer that question. No soldier in the Salvation Army would ask such a question. It is an insult to the Bible–to the teachers of Christianity. I refuse to reply to it.
I love this guy. But, back to Booth:
"If anyone still wants a reply, let him ask the lost souls in Hell whose brothers and sisters are following them there. Let him go and ask the blood-washed throng in Heaven, whose eyes are wide open at last to the value of salvation. Let him anticipate the Judgment Day, and in spirit stand before the Throne and propose, if he dares, the question to God Almighty. I think from Hell, Heaven and the Great White Throne, the answer would come back; “More speed! Go faster!" If it should entail the stopping of legislature, pleasure, business, and all the employments and occupations of time, push forwards! Hurry onwards! Save the world!
Come on! I heard that! Preach it brother General! I love it. There is a whole article of this incendiary stuff, but you'll have to wait until the next issue of the Journal of Aggressive Christianity (number 30- finishing five years)- April 1, 2004. Anyway, let's speed on!
posted by Stephen Court
Thursday, March 18, 2004
March 17, 2004.
WHO AND HOW MANY?
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I've had this talk several times in the past, and I've blogged it, too- the one about us getting off of our savings and investment accounts and winning the world for Jesus. I figured that a denomination should believe in its own mission more than it believes in the mission of Coca Cola. A manifestation of this belief is the investment of cash into mission.
So, if we have more cash in Coke shares than in our warfare, we're saying we've got more faith and conviction about Coke's goal to put the real thing in the hands of everyone on the planet than we do about our goal to put the REAL THING into the hearts of everyone on the planet. ... just clarifying things here...
So my friends basically told me to put my money where my mouth is. They threw some money at us and said, in effect, "show us how many people got saved from these dollars- report back with names and numbers."
Yah! What a challenging exercise. I mean, that is how we should live with every buck, I guess. But things get foggy from day to day. You end up paying BILLS instead of seeing that this cash is helping you evangelise or disciple...
So we've got to pray up where this money goes. Not only that, but it is challenging me as to where the other money God has entrusted to me goes. Maybe it will challenge you as well.
posted by Stephen Court
WHO AND HOW MANY?
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I've had this talk several times in the past, and I've blogged it, too- the one about us getting off of our savings and investment accounts and winning the world for Jesus. I figured that a denomination should believe in its own mission more than it believes in the mission of Coca Cola. A manifestation of this belief is the investment of cash into mission.
So, if we have more cash in Coke shares than in our warfare, we're saying we've got more faith and conviction about Coke's goal to put the real thing in the hands of everyone on the planet than we do about our goal to put the REAL THING into the hearts of everyone on the planet. ... just clarifying things here...
So my friends basically told me to put my money where my mouth is. They threw some money at us and said, in effect, "show us how many people got saved from these dollars- report back with names and numbers."
Yah! What a challenging exercise. I mean, that is how we should live with every buck, I guess. But things get foggy from day to day. You end up paying BILLS instead of seeing that this cash is helping you evangelise or disciple...
So we've got to pray up where this money goes. Not only that, but it is challenging me as to where the other money God has entrusted to me goes. Maybe it will challenge you as well.
posted by Stephen Court
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
March 16, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
So, I am finishing up a book right now with Wesley Campbell (the book that never ends). And, not surprisingly, based on my bracketed comment, they want some cuts. So, I am imposing one of the cuts on you tonight.
Jephthah- The Ammonite Uprising Judges 10:6ff
It looks as if the chief trade of Israel had been to import deities from all countries. It is hard to say whether it was more impious or impolitic to do this. Matthew Henry
The ministry of deliverance was always birthed out of a womb of social darkness and trauma. Francis Frangipane
'Though muffled, the ear-rattling cacophony of heavy, rhythmic thumping beat time with incessant drumming in my head. Inside, wound in this warm, slightly suffocating womb, darkness was interrupted by the wild flickering of dancing shadows behind sacrificial flames. Sweat mingled with incense, and fear with intrigue. Pungent with the odor of flesh, both living and dying, human heaving punctuated the encompassing symphony. Scattered among writhing bodies jutted ritualistic paraphernalia of all shapes and sizes. Judged by the elders to be old enough to contribute to the encouragement and stimulation of the gods, I stood doubtful after my escort escaped into the dancing shadows. Millennia later, the double-dip Drive-In would offer a much less intimidating sexual introduction. While processing these images and questions against the rumors I’d heard, my temple prostitute swayed into view. Hideous make-up covered her whole body, most of which I could see, even in the eerie light. Virgin fear beat tracks ahead of disgust as I recognized, beneath the layers of body paint, my buddy Yitzak’s mother! I changed my mind about helping Baal and Ashtart get together.'
Scholars disagree about what actually took place during the ritual sexual acts of the pagan temples in which the Israelites desecrated themselves. But you get the idea.
Put yourself in Israelite shoes. Imagine a whole generation that had never planted a flower, let alone a crop; that had never worried about the weather, because, odds were, the people were picking up to leave sometime soon, anyway. The wilderness generation of Israelites fed from the gracious hand of God.
This Promised Land deal wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Not only did they have to fight for the land, the Jews had to fight with it. The nomads were settling down. And there were decidedly no green thumbs among them.
It was only natural that they would look around to learn how to farm. The Hebrews looked to their neighbors, the Ammonites, Sidonites, Philistines, and Moabites. And they learned that to ensure a good crop, you had to placate the god of the crops. To guarantee a fruitful season, you must mollify the god of fertility. Evidence indicates that not only were the Israelites eager to learn, but that their neighbors were eager to teach them.
These neighbors imagined that their crops flourished when Baal performed sexual intercourse with his consort, Ashtart, or Ashtoreth, the goddess of fertility. So, to encourage the gods along, worshippers engaged in sexual intercourse, the man identifying with Baal, and the woman with Ashtart. Astarte had an appetite for the young, similar to the gods of today.
The Israelites adopted this liturgy. Maybe they were too enthusiastic! Their syncretism was temporary. Quickly it became apparent that the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites and the gods of the Philistines could not be served along with Yahweh, could not be added to a counsel of gods that included Yahweh. They learned, as they abandoned Him, that He is a jealous God. He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites.
They were shattered and crushed. Declension from righteous standards leads to a reversion to the senses. Often perversion squirms its way into worship. Male anatomy gets attention. If you have sex enough then the crops grow bigger. God was angry. God sold them into slavery. Poverty, bondage, and abuse replaced righteousness, compassion, and justice. The revolt against the Law was the turning point of their sexual revolution. And for eighteen years they suffered under this oppression, in this sin.
Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, "We have sinned against you, forsaking our God and serving the Baals (Judges 10:10)." The LORD replied, “Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!" But the Israelites said to the LORD, "We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now." Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the LORD. And He could bear Israel's misery no longer. Judges 10:14-16
Upon their repentance, God sent a deliverer to His people, and unlikely hero. And in so doing, He offended their primitive religious sensitivities. He sent them a Gentile whose name prophetically promised, "Yahweh will open". Modern Jews figure that he was an Ishmaelite. Jephthah delivered the people of Israel out from under the oppression of the Ammonites, and into a substantial period of peace.
The Anatomy of the Ammonite Uprising.
The watchwords of revival were repentance, solemnity, humility, and peace.
After wandering 18 years in the wilderness of sin and oppression, the Israelites cried out to God in repentance. Their humble confession not only submitted to God’s justice but also appealed to His mercy.
The children of Israel met together, probably in a solemn assembly at the door of the tabernacle, received the impressions of the message God had sent them, were not driven by it to despair, though it was very threatening, but resolve to lie at God's feet, and, if they perish, they will perish there.
And then God taught them continuing humility, as He devised a rescue plan hinged on the leadership of a Gentile. But the result of repentance, solemnity, and humility, was a period of victorious peace, as three Israelite judges led Israel in succession to Jephthah (Judges 12:7-15). They returned to the family. They returned to God. They re-established the Law. They stopped their sinning. Their society grew strong without the weakening of sin. Blessing followed their obedience to God.
The return of peace to the Israelites brought with it the opposites. Freedom, the rule of law, trade, support, and opportunity were available to all. Mercy and justice became routine aspects of Israelite life.
The Ammonite Uprising is evocative of the various episodes the people of Israel experienced with different judges. Cycles of revival and declension mark the book of Judges. Consider the depth of impact that this revival had on society, though. No longer were the Israelites subject to the whims and whippings of Ammonites and Philistines. They enjoyed a national autonomy in terms of governing and trade, customs and justice. No longer did they have sex to help the wheat grow. No longer did they import foreign gods. No longer did they toss their babies into idols’ mouths. No longer did they suffer under the oppression of a god made in their image. Now they served in the freedom of a God in whose image they were made.
Jephthah returned to Moses’s roots of the law. They regulated their lives according to clean and unclean foods, clean and unclean hygiene, good and bad sexual practice, good and bad business practices, right and wrong ethics. Because they clean their hands after going to the bathroom, they lived longer than their neighbors who fell victim to disease. With each successive revival under the Judges, Israel crawled back to the foundation of western civilization. The word of God became, once again, the template for the people of Israel on which to pattern their lives. The law became the arbiter of moral right and wrong, instead of some foreign, fickle, raging idol. And so divine discipline was imposed from above, structuring their lives according to the rhythm of justice, righteousness, and compassion so that revival had hands and feet, and invisible people became people people.
Beyond the period of peace, the cycles are uninteresting. Four hundred years of fluctuation teach us that when everyone does what is right in his own eyes the result is havoc, but when those same eyes turn toward heaven in humble obedience, blessing will follow (Judges 21:25). That and,
The face of the earth is changed as the hearts of its people are transformed.
Buy the book - BE A HERO - it is better than that. It comes out in July (maybe).
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
So, I am finishing up a book right now with Wesley Campbell (the book that never ends). And, not surprisingly, based on my bracketed comment, they want some cuts. So, I am imposing one of the cuts on you tonight.
Jephthah- The Ammonite Uprising Judges 10:6ff
It looks as if the chief trade of Israel had been to import deities from all countries. It is hard to say whether it was more impious or impolitic to do this. Matthew Henry
The ministry of deliverance was always birthed out of a womb of social darkness and trauma. Francis Frangipane
'Though muffled, the ear-rattling cacophony of heavy, rhythmic thumping beat time with incessant drumming in my head. Inside, wound in this warm, slightly suffocating womb, darkness was interrupted by the wild flickering of dancing shadows behind sacrificial flames. Sweat mingled with incense, and fear with intrigue. Pungent with the odor of flesh, both living and dying, human heaving punctuated the encompassing symphony. Scattered among writhing bodies jutted ritualistic paraphernalia of all shapes and sizes. Judged by the elders to be old enough to contribute to the encouragement and stimulation of the gods, I stood doubtful after my escort escaped into the dancing shadows. Millennia later, the double-dip Drive-In would offer a much less intimidating sexual introduction. While processing these images and questions against the rumors I’d heard, my temple prostitute swayed into view. Hideous make-up covered her whole body, most of which I could see, even in the eerie light. Virgin fear beat tracks ahead of disgust as I recognized, beneath the layers of body paint, my buddy Yitzak’s mother! I changed my mind about helping Baal and Ashtart get together.'
Scholars disagree about what actually took place during the ritual sexual acts of the pagan temples in which the Israelites desecrated themselves. But you get the idea.
Put yourself in Israelite shoes. Imagine a whole generation that had never planted a flower, let alone a crop; that had never worried about the weather, because, odds were, the people were picking up to leave sometime soon, anyway. The wilderness generation of Israelites fed from the gracious hand of God.
This Promised Land deal wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Not only did they have to fight for the land, the Jews had to fight with it. The nomads were settling down. And there were decidedly no green thumbs among them.
It was only natural that they would look around to learn how to farm. The Hebrews looked to their neighbors, the Ammonites, Sidonites, Philistines, and Moabites. And they learned that to ensure a good crop, you had to placate the god of the crops. To guarantee a fruitful season, you must mollify the god of fertility. Evidence indicates that not only were the Israelites eager to learn, but that their neighbors were eager to teach them.
These neighbors imagined that their crops flourished when Baal performed sexual intercourse with his consort, Ashtart, or Ashtoreth, the goddess of fertility. So, to encourage the gods along, worshippers engaged in sexual intercourse, the man identifying with Baal, and the woman with Ashtart. Astarte had an appetite for the young, similar to the gods of today.
The Israelites adopted this liturgy. Maybe they were too enthusiastic! Their syncretism was temporary. Quickly it became apparent that the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites and the gods of the Philistines could not be served along with Yahweh, could not be added to a counsel of gods that included Yahweh. They learned, as they abandoned Him, that He is a jealous God. He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites.
They were shattered and crushed. Declension from righteous standards leads to a reversion to the senses. Often perversion squirms its way into worship. Male anatomy gets attention. If you have sex enough then the crops grow bigger. God was angry. God sold them into slavery. Poverty, bondage, and abuse replaced righteousness, compassion, and justice. The revolt against the Law was the turning point of their sexual revolution. And for eighteen years they suffered under this oppression, in this sin.
Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, "We have sinned against you, forsaking our God and serving the Baals (Judges 10:10)." The LORD replied, “Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!" But the Israelites said to the LORD, "We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now." Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the LORD. And He could bear Israel's misery no longer. Judges 10:14-16
Upon their repentance, God sent a deliverer to His people, and unlikely hero. And in so doing, He offended their primitive religious sensitivities. He sent them a Gentile whose name prophetically promised, "Yahweh will open". Modern Jews figure that he was an Ishmaelite. Jephthah delivered the people of Israel out from under the oppression of the Ammonites, and into a substantial period of peace.
The Anatomy of the Ammonite Uprising.
The watchwords of revival were repentance, solemnity, humility, and peace.
After wandering 18 years in the wilderness of sin and oppression, the Israelites cried out to God in repentance. Their humble confession not only submitted to God’s justice but also appealed to His mercy.
The children of Israel met together, probably in a solemn assembly at the door of the tabernacle, received the impressions of the message God had sent them, were not driven by it to despair, though it was very threatening, but resolve to lie at God's feet, and, if they perish, they will perish there.
And then God taught them continuing humility, as He devised a rescue plan hinged on the leadership of a Gentile. But the result of repentance, solemnity, and humility, was a period of victorious peace, as three Israelite judges led Israel in succession to Jephthah (Judges 12:7-15). They returned to the family. They returned to God. They re-established the Law. They stopped their sinning. Their society grew strong without the weakening of sin. Blessing followed their obedience to God.
The return of peace to the Israelites brought with it the opposites. Freedom, the rule of law, trade, support, and opportunity were available to all. Mercy and justice became routine aspects of Israelite life.
The Ammonite Uprising is evocative of the various episodes the people of Israel experienced with different judges. Cycles of revival and declension mark the book of Judges. Consider the depth of impact that this revival had on society, though. No longer were the Israelites subject to the whims and whippings of Ammonites and Philistines. They enjoyed a national autonomy in terms of governing and trade, customs and justice. No longer did they have sex to help the wheat grow. No longer did they import foreign gods. No longer did they toss their babies into idols’ mouths. No longer did they suffer under the oppression of a god made in their image. Now they served in the freedom of a God in whose image they were made.
Jephthah returned to Moses’s roots of the law. They regulated their lives according to clean and unclean foods, clean and unclean hygiene, good and bad sexual practice, good and bad business practices, right and wrong ethics. Because they clean their hands after going to the bathroom, they lived longer than their neighbors who fell victim to disease. With each successive revival under the Judges, Israel crawled back to the foundation of western civilization. The word of God became, once again, the template for the people of Israel on which to pattern their lives. The law became the arbiter of moral right and wrong, instead of some foreign, fickle, raging idol. And so divine discipline was imposed from above, structuring their lives according to the rhythm of justice, righteousness, and compassion so that revival had hands and feet, and invisible people became people people.
Beyond the period of peace, the cycles are uninteresting. Four hundred years of fluctuation teach us that when everyone does what is right in his own eyes the result is havoc, but when those same eyes turn toward heaven in humble obedience, blessing will follow (Judges 21:25). That and,
The face of the earth is changed as the hearts of its people are transformed.
Buy the book - BE A HERO - it is better than that. It comes out in July (maybe).
posted by Stephen Court
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
March 15, 2004
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Alright, alright. I know I just bragged about not camping out on the Army for awhile. But this one is not really about the Army. It is about abortion.
Whew. So, the Army has a new positional statement in our territory about abortion. Loyal Captains' Bloggers will know that I've hammered this one nearly to death- that a certain old statement was very spotty in many places.
Well, the new one is better. I think I will re-apply the General's words from yesterday's blog about adherency here- it is a significant, modest step forward.
Position Statement on
Abortion
The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of human life because human beings are made in the image of
God. Each person is of eternal value and each life a gift from God worth cherishing, nurturing, and
preserving.
The Salvation Army therefore takes seriously the needs, rights and responsibilities of parents and unborn
children when considering the matter of abortion. We are committed to the protection and care of
the unborn, and to the promotion of societal systems that promote wholeness, freedom, quality of
life and the development of the potential of all persons.
The Salvation Army supports responsible measures necessary to avoid unwanted pregnancy and is opposed
to abortion as a means of birth control. We are concerned about a growing social acceptance of
abortions and believe that a genetic abnormality in the unborn child is not generally sufficient to
warrant a termination of pregnancy.
When an unwanted pregnancy occurs, The Salvation Army counsels that the parents receive caring support
for their emotional, physical, social and spiritual needs, and that the unborn child be carried to term.
The Salvation Army recognizes tragic and perplexing circumstances that require difficult decisions regarding
a pregnancy. Such decisions should be made only after prayerful and thoughtful consideration, with
appropriate involvement of the woman’s family and pastoral, medical and other counsel.
Women who have had an abortion deserve care and respect, and The Salvation Army will offer
them its services in a loving and compassionate manner without discrimination.
It is strengthened in that now genetic abnormality is generally insufficient to warrant abortion. But of course this means that sometimes it is sufficient. And this is sin.
As we generally do on Friday afternoons while demonstrating across the steret from an abortuary on behalf of babies who are being murdered in view of Starbuck's (or some coffee place- I can't remember), let me draw your attention to GAP- the Genocide Awareness Project (abortionno.org/gap.html). Please take a look at the photos.
I've suggested before that abortion is the issue on which history will judge western society. We've failed miserably thus far.
This is a Biblical mandate- to step up the plate on behalf of the fatherless. Let's do it. Maybe this is a good time to promote The Salvation Army Justice Wing (email e for contact information- info@thewarcollege.com).
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Alright, alright. I know I just bragged about not camping out on the Army for awhile. But this one is not really about the Army. It is about abortion.
Whew. So, the Army has a new positional statement in our territory about abortion. Loyal Captains' Bloggers will know that I've hammered this one nearly to death- that a certain old statement was very spotty in many places.
Well, the new one is better. I think I will re-apply the General's words from yesterday's blog about adherency here- it is a significant, modest step forward.
Position Statement on
Abortion
The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of human life because human beings are made in the image of
God. Each person is of eternal value and each life a gift from God worth cherishing, nurturing, and
preserving.
The Salvation Army therefore takes seriously the needs, rights and responsibilities of parents and unborn
children when considering the matter of abortion. We are committed to the protection and care of
the unborn, and to the promotion of societal systems that promote wholeness, freedom, quality of
life and the development of the potential of all persons.
The Salvation Army supports responsible measures necessary to avoid unwanted pregnancy and is opposed
to abortion as a means of birth control. We are concerned about a growing social acceptance of
abortions and believe that a genetic abnormality in the unborn child is not generally sufficient to
warrant a termination of pregnancy.
When an unwanted pregnancy occurs, The Salvation Army counsels that the parents receive caring support
for their emotional, physical, social and spiritual needs, and that the unborn child be carried to term.
The Salvation Army recognizes tragic and perplexing circumstances that require difficult decisions regarding
a pregnancy. Such decisions should be made only after prayerful and thoughtful consideration, with
appropriate involvement of the woman’s family and pastoral, medical and other counsel.
Women who have had an abortion deserve care and respect, and The Salvation Army will offer
them its services in a loving and compassionate manner without discrimination.
It is strengthened in that now genetic abnormality is generally insufficient to warrant abortion. But of course this means that sometimes it is sufficient. And this is sin.
As we generally do on Friday afternoons while demonstrating across the steret from an abortuary on behalf of babies who are being murdered in view of Starbuck's (or some coffee place- I can't remember), let me draw your attention to GAP- the Genocide Awareness Project (abortionno.org/gap.html). Please take a look at the photos.
I've suggested before that abortion is the issue on which history will judge western society. We've failed miserably thus far.
This is a Biblical mandate- to step up the plate on behalf of the fatherless. Let's do it. Maybe this is a good time to promote The Salvation Army Justice Wing (email e for contact information- info@thewarcollege.com).
posted by Stephen Court
Monday, March 15, 2004
March 14, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I sometimes get hassled because I'm on about the Army so much in my blogs (not of THAT much interest to nonsalvos). I think you'll note that I've been pretty ecumenical for the most part in the last little while.
Anyway, that is all prologue to an Army blog. Some of you got exercised about my adherents blogs. You know the ones in which we concluded that you could be a pet gold fish or a porn star in the second pew and still be an adherent in good standing?
Well, you never know who reads the Captains' Blog!
The March 6 SALVATIONIST has two big items on Adherency. One is a short history of adherency. The other is a brand-spanking-new order on it from the General! I recommend both for reading at this simple, easy-to-remember url: http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/Salvation/Templates/article.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fen%2fPublications%2fsalvationist%2fSal040306p01%2ehtm&NRNODEGUID=%7b526BFFE0-731A-4B11-BF85-2D2DF06099FA%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest
The General cautiously advertises the new order as asignificant but modest step forward. I agree. Here it is:
Orders and regulations now states: ‘An adherent member of The Salvation Army is a person who, while not entering into the soldier’s covenant, believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and seeks to follow and be like him; participates in the worship, fellowship, service and support of a local Salvation Army congregation; and identifies with the mission of The Salvation Army.’
It is significant because now you actually have to be a Christian to be an adherent. That's the rule (read that, all you local officers and corps officers). This will create issues with either tens of thousands of adherents being saved in the next month or so, or tens of thousands of adherents being chopped from the rolls.
It is modest in that it actually tippy-toes around the 'membership' issue. The General maintains that adherents are not members because they undertake no obligations. But he designates them 'adherent members', a confusing term in light of his assertion.
In the big picture, it doesn't deal with the real issue at all: there are no adherents in an Army. There is no form of membership without obligation. Its privileges come with responsibilities. You can't be in the military unless you are committed to fight. If you won't carry a gun you can't wear the uniform (you still can't at 614 Vancouver).
But, as I said, at least you have to be saved, now. Hallelujah.
posted by Stephen Court
PS TPOTC- $264 mil; #2 R-rated all-time; #1 over-all in 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I sometimes get hassled because I'm on about the Army so much in my blogs (not of THAT much interest to nonsalvos). I think you'll note that I've been pretty ecumenical for the most part in the last little while.
Anyway, that is all prologue to an Army blog. Some of you got exercised about my adherents blogs. You know the ones in which we concluded that you could be a pet gold fish or a porn star in the second pew and still be an adherent in good standing?
Well, you never know who reads the Captains' Blog!
The March 6 SALVATIONIST has two big items on Adherency. One is a short history of adherency. The other is a brand-spanking-new order on it from the General! I recommend both for reading at this simple, easy-to-remember url: http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/Salvation/Templates/article.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fen%2fPublications%2fsalvationist%2fSal040306p01%2ehtm&NRNODEGUID=%7b526BFFE0-731A-4B11-BF85-2D2DF06099FA%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest
The General cautiously advertises the new order as asignificant but modest step forward. I agree. Here it is:
Orders and regulations now states: ‘An adherent member of The Salvation Army is a person who, while not entering into the soldier’s covenant, believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and seeks to follow and be like him; participates in the worship, fellowship, service and support of a local Salvation Army congregation; and identifies with the mission of The Salvation Army.’
It is significant because now you actually have to be a Christian to be an adherent. That's the rule (read that, all you local officers and corps officers). This will create issues with either tens of thousands of adherents being saved in the next month or so, or tens of thousands of adherents being chopped from the rolls.
It is modest in that it actually tippy-toes around the 'membership' issue. The General maintains that adherents are not members because they undertake no obligations. But he designates them 'adherent members', a confusing term in light of his assertion.
In the big picture, it doesn't deal with the real issue at all: there are no adherents in an Army. There is no form of membership without obligation. Its privileges come with responsibilities. You can't be in the military unless you are committed to fight. If you won't carry a gun you can't wear the uniform (you still can't at 614 Vancouver).
But, as I said, at least you have to be saved, now. Hallelujah.
posted by Stephen Court
PS TPOTC- $264 mil; #2 R-rated all-time; #1 over-all in 2004.
Sunday, March 14, 2004
March 13, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
God is doing so much in our time. It is exciting to catch glimpses of bits here and there to be encouraged.
It is not on you alone to win the world. Whew! Let me lift a little burden from you. There is a lot going on. There are even more than 7,000 left (Elijah).
Of course, that is no reason to slack off. Our complacency quite likely will cost souls heaven.
This is where the nice little homily goes x-rated. For those not interested in getting queasy or having nightmares, too bad (well, you can jump tto the mushy finale).
There is still a screaming need for more help.
"On October 31, a month-old baby girl was raped, allegedly by her uncles, in Tweeling in the Eastern Free State Police spokesperson Loraine Kalp said the mother of the child had left the baby in the care of the men when she went to visit her mother-in-law. Upon her return last night, she found the baby crying and as she lifted her, she saw blood on her bottom. She then took the baby to a clinic where she was told the girl had been raped and sustained vaginal damage.
In a typical situation, a man with AIDS will rape his infant niece and then dispose of her on the garbage dump. This tragedy has steamrolled at an alarming rate to reach epidemic levels! But Fiona Brophy, a social worker with a tiny Christian outfit called Little Angels, has had enough of this despicable practice. Little Angels rescue these babies from the garbage dumps. And they care for them, the ones that are still alive. Fiona actually went to live on the garbage dump for a week in solidarity with them.
"What of the nameless ones – the thousands of little bodies (as many as 5,000 a year in South Africa) in various stages of decay and decomposition, found eaten by maggots in desolate places or crushed beneath tons of waste, never to be discovered? Gifts of life from God thrown away with the trash!
Fiona could probably use a little help. Or at least a prayer or two. Not to mention the 'Gifts of God'.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
God is doing so much in our time. It is exciting to catch glimpses of bits here and there to be encouraged.
It is not on you alone to win the world. Whew! Let me lift a little burden from you. There is a lot going on. There are even more than 7,000 left (Elijah).
Of course, that is no reason to slack off. Our complacency quite likely will cost souls heaven.
This is where the nice little homily goes x-rated. For those not interested in getting queasy or having nightmares, too bad (well, you can jump tto the mushy finale).
There is still a screaming need for more help.
"On October 31, a month-old baby girl was raped, allegedly by her uncles, in Tweeling in the Eastern Free State Police spokesperson Loraine Kalp said the mother of the child had left the baby in the care of the men when she went to visit her mother-in-law. Upon her return last night, she found the baby crying and as she lifted her, she saw blood on her bottom. She then took the baby to a clinic where she was told the girl had been raped and sustained vaginal damage.
In a typical situation, a man with AIDS will rape his infant niece and then dispose of her on the garbage dump. This tragedy has steamrolled at an alarming rate to reach epidemic levels! But Fiona Brophy, a social worker with a tiny Christian outfit called Little Angels, has had enough of this despicable practice. Little Angels rescue these babies from the garbage dumps. And they care for them, the ones that are still alive. Fiona actually went to live on the garbage dump for a week in solidarity with them.
"What of the nameless ones – the thousands of little bodies (as many as 5,000 a year in South Africa) in various stages of decay and decomposition, found eaten by maggots in desolate places or crushed beneath tons of waste, never to be discovered? Gifts of life from God thrown away with the trash!
Fiona could probably use a little help. Or at least a prayer or two. Not to mention the 'Gifts of God'.
posted by Stephen Court
Saturday, March 13, 2004
March 13, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
This is clean-up blog.
First up, I've thought out yesterday's blog a bit more and the problem is the word 'distinctive'. I mean, holiness and war aren't exclusively distinctive of the Army. But the word can mean merely characteristic. I guess it connotes some unique characteristic- thus the frustration.
Here are the words to my latest song, called ALL THE WORLD TO SAVE:
running to the holy place
pushing through to see Your face
I'm crawling into Your presence
hands and heart are clean
up the mountain where You live
to the freedom that You give
I'm pressing in for some glory
never ever seen
(chorus)
Your holiness is a fountain
cleansing, refreshing,
I plunge beneath the waves
flow Living Water from within me
everyone around and
all the world to save.
So it combines a lust after holiness with a hunger for souls.
Maybe it is not unique to the Army. But it is native to the Army.
That's that.
Now, back to a couple of days ago and the closing doors blog. People have been asking about our forming theology on this. As often, I am the pr guy, as it stems from the revelation and new experience of one of the 614 leaders.
But it goes very briefly bit like this (again, I'm the pr guy here):
God's on about opening doors that no one can shut in Revelation. David is on about gates being opened and shut.
It seems that if we aren't good door keepers and gate keepers we might leave something open that should be shut. And in so doing, we leave access into our corporate lives for the enemy. One of the episodes with which our crew dealt this week related to anger. And it seemed that this anger rubbed off on one of our tender-hearted people.
How does that work? I guess like the bastard who is cursed for ten generations, the curse remains unless we shut it off and close the door. So, we did.
This is nascent praxis here, but were trying to listen and obey.
Today is the deadline to apply for FULLNESS- March 23-25 with Majors Janet and Richard Munn.
There is still space for Booth-Tucker Institute (BTI) May 25-June 5. Check out armybarmy.com or thewarcollege.com for more information and online application.
posted by Stephen Court
PS TPOTC is up to $232 million
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
This is clean-up blog.
First up, I've thought out yesterday's blog a bit more and the problem is the word 'distinctive'. I mean, holiness and war aren't exclusively distinctive of the Army. But the word can mean merely characteristic. I guess it connotes some unique characteristic- thus the frustration.
Here are the words to my latest song, called ALL THE WORLD TO SAVE:
running to the holy place
pushing through to see Your face
I'm crawling into Your presence
hands and heart are clean
up the mountain where You live
to the freedom that You give
I'm pressing in for some glory
never ever seen
(chorus)
Your holiness is a fountain
cleansing, refreshing,
I plunge beneath the waves
flow Living Water from within me
everyone around and
all the world to save.
So it combines a lust after holiness with a hunger for souls.
Maybe it is not unique to the Army. But it is native to the Army.
That's that.
Now, back to a couple of days ago and the closing doors blog. People have been asking about our forming theology on this. As often, I am the pr guy, as it stems from the revelation and new experience of one of the 614 leaders.
But it goes very briefly bit like this (again, I'm the pr guy here):
God's on about opening doors that no one can shut in Revelation. David is on about gates being opened and shut.
It seems that if we aren't good door keepers and gate keepers we might leave something open that should be shut. And in so doing, we leave access into our corporate lives for the enemy. One of the episodes with which our crew dealt this week related to anger. And it seemed that this anger rubbed off on one of our tender-hearted people.
How does that work? I guess like the bastard who is cursed for ten generations, the curse remains unless we shut it off and close the door. So, we did.
This is nascent praxis here, but were trying to listen and obey.
Today is the deadline to apply for FULLNESS- March 23-25 with Majors Janet and Richard Munn.
There is still space for Booth-Tucker Institute (BTI) May 25-June 5. Check out armybarmy.com or thewarcollege.com for more information and online application.
posted by Stephen Court
PS TPOTC is up to $232 million
Friday, March 12, 2004
March 11, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
My friend, one of the Army's outrageously gifted worship leaders, is wrestling with SA worship distinctives.
Here's my quick formulation.
Salvo Worship is warpath worship: our intersection with the Cross always comes from or goes on through to the agony of the world.
You can tell it from songs in the Song Book- even non-SA songs have been edited, in many cases, to Armyize them. One example is, "Give to Jesus Glory. Give to Jesus Glory. Proclaim redemption's wondrous TALE..." Wait a second! We changed it to, "Proclaim redemption's wondrous PLAN..." and the rest is history.
There is blood and fire oozing from the words and even some of the notes. The truest of the newest salvo worship extends this legacy. Get to know this stuff. There is some beautiful blessing to be had at these fountains.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
My friend, one of the Army's outrageously gifted worship leaders, is wrestling with SA worship distinctives.
Here's my quick formulation.
Salvo Worship is warpath worship: our intersection with the Cross always comes from or goes on through to the agony of the world.
You can tell it from songs in the Song Book- even non-SA songs have been edited, in many cases, to Armyize them. One example is, "Give to Jesus Glory. Give to Jesus Glory. Proclaim redemption's wondrous TALE..." Wait a second! We changed it to, "Proclaim redemption's wondrous PLAN..." and the rest is history.
There is blood and fire oozing from the words and even some of the notes. The truest of the newest salvo worship extends this legacy. Get to know this stuff. There is some beautiful blessing to be had at these fountains.
posted by Stephen Court
Thursday, March 11, 2004
March 10, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Our guys just spent some time today closing spiritual doors that had been left open by the departure of comrades.
It was a strange exercise. As each door was prayerfully closed, demons manifested themselves on the way out.
Whar strikes me is this: we've been at this down here for a matter of months. If four departures can leave open doors for demons to legitimately harass us, then what of a corps or congregation of 100 years experience? How many openings, how many demons, how many curses, how many layers have they do address?
Mind-boggling.
I'm glad that we've got spiritually-sensitive and obedient people here who confront and defeat the enemy. And I'm glad that we've only got a matter of months of stuff to which to attend.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Our guys just spent some time today closing spiritual doors that had been left open by the departure of comrades.
It was a strange exercise. As each door was prayerfully closed, demons manifested themselves on the way out.
Whar strikes me is this: we've been at this down here for a matter of months. If four departures can leave open doors for demons to legitimately harass us, then what of a corps or congregation of 100 years experience? How many openings, how many demons, how many curses, how many layers have they do address?
Mind-boggling.
I'm glad that we've got spiritually-sensitive and obedient people here who confront and defeat the enemy. And I'm glad that we've only got a matter of months of stuff to which to attend.
posted by Stephen Court
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
March 9, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Our cell mates discussed Galatians 6 a bit this afternoon and came across the verse that suggests that we are to share each other troubles and problems (v2).
This is not the most popular part of authentic Christian community. We don't usually advertise sharing troubles and problems when we recruit. I mean, who wants to get all mixed up, slimed up, and just mucked up by other people's issues? Most of us have enough of our own!
But there it is, right in verse two. And, the kicker is that it is in so doing that we fulfill the law of Christ. Ouch.
Man o man.
This is more than many bargain for.
But vulnerability is a watchword here and seems to pay off in the longer term. Why not try it out with your friends (no pansy pity parties though).
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Our cell mates discussed Galatians 6 a bit this afternoon and came across the verse that suggests that we are to share each other troubles and problems (v2).
This is not the most popular part of authentic Christian community. We don't usually advertise sharing troubles and problems when we recruit. I mean, who wants to get all mixed up, slimed up, and just mucked up by other people's issues? Most of us have enough of our own!
But there it is, right in verse two. And, the kicker is that it is in so doing that we fulfill the law of Christ. Ouch.
Man o man.
This is more than many bargain for.
But vulnerability is a watchword here and seems to pay off in the longer term. Why not try it out with your friends (no pansy pity parties though).
posted by Stephen Court
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
March 8, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I am writing thi while listening to a beautfiul, sweet new song by Phil Laeger. You can't listen to it on ALL I HELD ONTO (his smashing first album), on WOW, at his website (phillaeger.com), or on the radio. You can only listen to it at armybarmy.com on the DEMO OF THE WEEK Feature.
Do yourself a favour and load it up. And if you like it, email and get the chords and words and use it on Sunday. That's the purpose of the feature.
There are heaps of things to do at armybarmy.com. DEMO OF THE WEEK isn't even the newest. The newest, started this weekend, is armybarmy art gallery. Each week we will add a new bit of art. Check it out.
We've got a free 1,300 song library that you can download, customize keys, and everything!
Of course, if you're reading this, you know that armybarmy.com is home of Captains' Blog.
60 Seconds of Spiritual Pump gives you a weekly challenge- this week by Samuel Logan Brengle. There are usually a few events highlighted- one right now is FULLNESS- a Prayer and Fasting Council in Washington State March 23-25 with Maine's Majors Janet and Richard Munn.
There is a our regular reminder about pro-life and persecuted church stuff.
You can go on a free cruise while preaching the Gospel (see Pastors At Sea).
You can watch some classic reels of 1960s A commercials and other historic events and see great adverts for the Gospel.
You probably also know that Journal of Aggressive Christianity finds its home there.
We've got an under-used feature called the BOOK OF THE FORTNIGHT. Every couple of weeks we offer you a free eBook to read.
There is a fancy rendering of the doctrines (SA- by Major Richard Munn), a library of articles by Captain Geoff Ryan on 614 and incarnational warfare (and 614 propaganda).
We offer a link of the week.
We hook you up with Christian and independent websites for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST.
We've got online preaching you can hear, courses you can download, and resources such as books and CDs that you can securely buy.
This lightbulb idea of Captain Curtis Cartmell (who still makes layout look sharp) and regular passion of Major Don Grad (who regularly and capably keeps the site up-to-date and relevant) isn't just to tickle your fancy.
When you add it all up, there are about 67 reasons to visit every week. Tell your friends and countrymen. Tell you chat partners. Tell your squash partners. Signature it at the bottom of your emails. Stick it in weekly buletins. Use it to help us win the world for Jesus.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I am writing thi while listening to a beautfiul, sweet new song by Phil Laeger. You can't listen to it on ALL I HELD ONTO (his smashing first album), on WOW, at his website (phillaeger.com), or on the radio. You can only listen to it at armybarmy.com on the DEMO OF THE WEEK Feature.
Do yourself a favour and load it up. And if you like it, email and get the chords and words and use it on Sunday. That's the purpose of the feature.
There are heaps of things to do at armybarmy.com. DEMO OF THE WEEK isn't even the newest. The newest, started this weekend, is armybarmy art gallery. Each week we will add a new bit of art. Check it out.
We've got a free 1,300 song library that you can download, customize keys, and everything!
Of course, if you're reading this, you know that armybarmy.com is home of Captains' Blog.
60 Seconds of Spiritual Pump gives you a weekly challenge- this week by Samuel Logan Brengle. There are usually a few events highlighted- one right now is FULLNESS- a Prayer and Fasting Council in Washington State March 23-25 with Maine's Majors Janet and Richard Munn.
There is a our regular reminder about pro-life and persecuted church stuff.
You can go on a free cruise while preaching the Gospel (see Pastors At Sea).
You can watch some classic reels of 1960s A commercials and other historic events and see great adverts for the Gospel.
You probably also know that Journal of Aggressive Christianity finds its home there.
We've got an under-used feature called the BOOK OF THE FORTNIGHT. Every couple of weeks we offer you a free eBook to read.
There is a fancy rendering of the doctrines (SA- by Major Richard Munn), a library of articles by Captain Geoff Ryan on 614 and incarnational warfare (and 614 propaganda).
We offer a link of the week.
We hook you up with Christian and independent websites for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST.
We've got online preaching you can hear, courses you can download, and resources such as books and CDs that you can securely buy.
This lightbulb idea of Captain Curtis Cartmell (who still makes layout look sharp) and regular passion of Major Don Grad (who regularly and capably keeps the site up-to-date and relevant) isn't just to tickle your fancy.
When you add it all up, there are about 67 reasons to visit every week. Tell your friends and countrymen. Tell you chat partners. Tell your squash partners. Signature it at the bottom of your emails. Stick it in weekly buletins. Use it to help us win the world for Jesus.
posted by Stephen Court
Monday, March 08, 2004
March 7, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name.
Commissioner Arthur Booth Clibborn wrote (before he deserted to join what declined into the Dowie freak show outside of Chicago) some classic words in SASB 446:
Let holy truth condemn each sham
Show what Thou art, and what I am.
How about those words?
I came across them this week in the War Room, doing a shift for 24/7. That prayer will reveal just about all you need revealed- God's character and yours.
posted by Stephen Court
PS TPOTC hit $212 million after a week-and-a-half.
Greetings in Jesus' name.
Commissioner Arthur Booth Clibborn wrote (before he deserted to join what declined into the Dowie freak show outside of Chicago) some classic words in SASB 446:
Let holy truth condemn each sham
Show what Thou art, and what I am.
How about those words?
I came across them this week in the War Room, doing a shift for 24/7. That prayer will reveal just about all you need revealed- God's character and yours.
posted by Stephen Court
PS TPOTC hit $212 million after a week-and-a-half.
Sunday, March 07, 2004
March 6, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
My session was called the Crusaders for Christ (the Cru for short). Our motto on book marks was 2 Corinthians 6:7- by the power of God, by the weapons of rightouesness.
It's tough to beat.
Anyway, I was reading today that satan rose up against Israel (1 Chronicles 21:1)> This is a nice support for the whole territorial spirit thing. The enemy targets geo-political entities.
Whle he's doing that, we're extending our 24/7 week of prayer for a month. We're still waiting for the big, big answers (though we've had some good smaller ones). God will change us heaps through it, and, we expect, change a whole lot more.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
My session was called the Crusaders for Christ (the Cru for short). Our motto on book marks was 2 Corinthians 6:7- by the power of God, by the weapons of rightouesness.
It's tough to beat.
Anyway, I was reading today that satan rose up against Israel (1 Chronicles 21:1)> This is a nice support for the whole territorial spirit thing. The enemy targets geo-political entities.
Whle he's doing that, we're extending our 24/7 week of prayer for a month. We're still waiting for the big, big answers (though we've had some good smaller ones). God will change us heaps through it, and, we expect, change a whole lot more.
posted by Stephen Court
March 6, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
God has been profusely blessing a church in the Ivory Coast led by Dion Robert. With 120,000 people, they have recently been entrusted with a significant role in rebuilding the country.
But it hasn't always been roses.
This morning I read this story by Ralph Neighbour Jr. about this church eight years ago. We like Ralph and use his ARRIVAL KIT for new converts (he's a big cell church guru). The story is from http://www.touchusa.org/cellchurch/archives/volume6/issue2.htm CellChurch Magazine, Volume 6, #2:
"In August, 1996, Pastor Dion Robert scheduled a harvest event in a huge stadium in Bouake, Ivory Coast, Africa, where he has planted a vast array of cells. He exported 6,000 of his best cell leaders from the mother church, Eglise Protestante Baptist Oeuvres et Mission in Abidjan, to handle the counseling and deliverance ministries during the crusade.
"Bouake is the second largest city in the Ivory Coast. It is also under the control of a powerful demonic presence: a Rosicrucian cult heavily mixed with witchcraft. These cult leaders sent word to Dion that a curse had been placed on any person coming to sponsor this event. In a previous year, a whole family traveling to the crusade from Abidjan had been killed in an auto accident.
"When Dion received news of the curse, he called together his cell leaders going to the crusade and warned them of possible casualties. He gave permission for anyone who was fearful to stay at home. None did so! On the day of departure, scores and scores of buses lined up to create a convoy from Abidjan to the stadium in distant Bouake.
"Between the cities of Yamassoukro and Bouake, a lumber truck careened into one of the church buses and stripped the cab from the frame. With 24 people in it, the cab rolled down an embankment. Six people were badly injured, and seventeen dead.
"A bus of American cell church pastors and leaders who were visiting Pastor Dion’s church that summer drove past the scene. The wreckage was so mangled they concluded that it must have been a truck.
"Upon arrival at the hotel in Bouake, the American visitors were told by Jim Lassiter, the U.S. representative for Dion’s ministry, “The wreck you saw was not a truck; it was a church vehicle. Seventeen were killed.”
"The Americans, in shock, asked Jim, “How can this crusade go on after a tragedy like that?”
"Jim replied, “We’re in a war, and we must expect casualties. You don’t run away from a battle if you are an army.”
This is a real-life example of what I blogged last week about casualties.
Now, fast-forward eight years and an overcoming church is now positioned to transform a whole country. Let's not give in when we're under attack. Jesus shall reign! We shall win if we fight in the strength of the King!
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
God has been profusely blessing a church in the Ivory Coast led by Dion Robert. With 120,000 people, they have recently been entrusted with a significant role in rebuilding the country.
But it hasn't always been roses.
This morning I read this story by Ralph Neighbour Jr. about this church eight years ago. We like Ralph and use his ARRIVAL KIT for new converts (he's a big cell church guru). The story is from http://www.touchusa.org/cellchurch/archives/volume6/issue2.htm CellChurch Magazine, Volume 6, #2:
"In August, 1996, Pastor Dion Robert scheduled a harvest event in a huge stadium in Bouake, Ivory Coast, Africa, where he has planted a vast array of cells. He exported 6,000 of his best cell leaders from the mother church, Eglise Protestante Baptist Oeuvres et Mission in Abidjan, to handle the counseling and deliverance ministries during the crusade.
"Bouake is the second largest city in the Ivory Coast. It is also under the control of a powerful demonic presence: a Rosicrucian cult heavily mixed with witchcraft. These cult leaders sent word to Dion that a curse had been placed on any person coming to sponsor this event. In a previous year, a whole family traveling to the crusade from Abidjan had been killed in an auto accident.
"When Dion received news of the curse, he called together his cell leaders going to the crusade and warned them of possible casualties. He gave permission for anyone who was fearful to stay at home. None did so! On the day of departure, scores and scores of buses lined up to create a convoy from Abidjan to the stadium in distant Bouake.
"Between the cities of Yamassoukro and Bouake, a lumber truck careened into one of the church buses and stripped the cab from the frame. With 24 people in it, the cab rolled down an embankment. Six people were badly injured, and seventeen dead.
"A bus of American cell church pastors and leaders who were visiting Pastor Dion’s church that summer drove past the scene. The wreckage was so mangled they concluded that it must have been a truck.
"Upon arrival at the hotel in Bouake, the American visitors were told by Jim Lassiter, the U.S. representative for Dion’s ministry, “The wreck you saw was not a truck; it was a church vehicle. Seventeen were killed.”
"The Americans, in shock, asked Jim, “How can this crusade go on after a tragedy like that?”
"Jim replied, “We’re in a war, and we must expect casualties. You don’t run away from a battle if you are an army.”
This is a real-life example of what I blogged last week about casualties.
Now, fast-forward eight years and an overcoming church is now positioned to transform a whole country. Let's not give in when we're under attack. Jesus shall reign! We shall win if we fight in the strength of the King!
posted by Stephen Court
Saturday, March 06, 2004
March 5, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I don't know what you think about grace. I mean, saying it... Thanking God for the food, asking Him to bless it, all of that.
My wife just prays over the groceries.
But I heard some time that the Jews thanked God after the food, not before. I told my friends who are into Jewish stuff and they weren't buying it.
But, during my war room shift, I prayed Deuteronomy 6. 6:11b,12 says: "when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord."
The thing about thanking God afterward is this:
It is pretty easy to be thankful to God when you're hungry. It is much harder to remember God when you are full and satisfied.
And I'm not just talking about food...
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I don't know what you think about grace. I mean, saying it... Thanking God for the food, asking Him to bless it, all of that.
My wife just prays over the groceries.
But I heard some time that the Jews thanked God after the food, not before. I told my friends who are into Jewish stuff and they weren't buying it.
But, during my war room shift, I prayed Deuteronomy 6. 6:11b,12 says: "when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord."
The thing about thanking God afterward is this:
It is pretty easy to be thankful to God when you're hungry. It is much harder to remember God when you are full and satisfied.
And I'm not just talking about food...
posted by Stephen Court
Friday, March 05, 2004
March 4, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
One of my favourite verses is Luke 12:32- Don't worry little flock. Your Father delights to give you the Kingdom.
Wonderful.
I just came across Daniel's prophecy in 7:18 during my prayer shift today (for 24/7): the holy people of the Most High will be given the Kingdom.
It is our Kingdom.
That is fairly mind-boggling. It is our Kingdom.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
One of my favourite verses is Luke 12:32- Don't worry little flock. Your Father delights to give you the Kingdom.
Wonderful.
I just came across Daniel's prophecy in 7:18 during my prayer shift today (for 24/7): the holy people of the Most High will be given the Kingdom.
It is our Kingdom.
That is fairly mind-boggling. It is our Kingdom.
posted by Stephen Court
Thursday, March 04, 2004
March 3, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Have I pumped up the 24/7 Prayer week? It all started in England years ago and I guess it has been going non-stop, from congregation to congregation, ever since. They even play prayer tag on the internet.
The Army picked it up and does it in England and Australia.
We're doing week two in our corps for Canada.
It kicks.
We've got this very cool room, all dressed up with prayer aids. God loves being there, I think.
We're all so psyched about it that the big buzz is that we should keep it going.
I'd love to do that.
You should look into it if your congregation isn't hooked up. You can visit www.missionteam.co.uk/24-7sa or www.24-7prayer.com.
It might transform some things.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Have I pumped up the 24/7 Prayer week? It all started in England years ago and I guess it has been going non-stop, from congregation to congregation, ever since. They even play prayer tag on the internet.
The Army picked it up and does it in England and Australia.
We're doing week two in our corps for Canada.
It kicks.
We've got this very cool room, all dressed up with prayer aids. God loves being there, I think.
We're all so psyched about it that the big buzz is that we should keep it going.
I'd love to do that.
You should look into it if your congregation isn't hooked up. You can visit www.missionteam.co.uk/24-7sa or www.24-7prayer.com.
It might transform some things.
posted by Stephen Court
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
March 2, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends. First up, sorry for the replicated posts for the last two days. The blogger system has run into a glitch.
My friends were discussing shepherd leadership this week. Among other things we heard that sheep have no natural sense of lostness or direction, and no natural means of protection. Hmm.
But most interesting of all, a little more interesting than the fact that shepherds know the names of the sheep in their flocks, is that they know His voice.
My friend Heather pointed out that godly followers follow godly leaders because they hear His voice through them. Wow.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends. First up, sorry for the replicated posts for the last two days. The blogger system has run into a glitch.
My friends were discussing shepherd leadership this week. Among other things we heard that sheep have no natural sense of lostness or direction, and no natural means of protection. Hmm.
But most interesting of all, a little more interesting than the fact that shepherds know the names of the sheep in their flocks, is that they know His voice.
My friend Heather pointed out that godly followers follow godly leaders because they hear His voice through them. Wow.
posted by Stephen Court
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
March 1, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
My pal Peter is helping me focus my Gospel slogan- repentance and dependence.
He sent me this nuanced view from Philip Yancey:
"To understand the gain to God, think back to the images from the Prophets: God as Parent and as Lover. Both those human relationships contain elements of what God
has always been seeking from human beings. One word, DEPENDENCE, holds the key- the key to what they have in common and the key to how they differ.
"For a baby, dependence is everything; someone else must meet its every need or the child will die. Parents stay up all night, clean up vomit, teach toilet
training, and perform other unpleasant chores out of love because they sense the child's dependence. But such a pattern cannot continue forever. An eagle stirs
the nest to force its eaglets to fly; a mother covers her breast to wean her child.
"No healthy parent wants a permanently dependent child on his hands. And so a father does not push his daughter around in a large carriage for life, but teaches her to walk, knowing that she may one day walk away. Good parents nudge their children from dependence toward freedom.
"Lovers, however, reverse the pattern. A lover possesses complete freedom, yet chooses to give it away and become dependent. "Submit to one another," says the
Bible, and any couple can tell you that's an apt description of the day-to-day process of getting along.
"In a healthy marriage, one submits to the other's wishes voluntarily, out of love. In an unhealthy marriage, submission becomes part of a power struggle, a tug-of-war between competing egos.
"The difference between those two relationships shows, I believe, what God has been seeking in his long history with the human race. He desires not the clinging helpless love of a child who has no choice, but the mature, freely given love of a lover. He has been "romancing" us all along.
This romantic dependence is what we're aiming at (dangling participles be ignored!).
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
My pal Peter is helping me focus my Gospel slogan- repentance and dependence.
He sent me this nuanced view from Philip Yancey:
"To understand the gain to God, think back to the images from the Prophets: God as Parent and as Lover. Both those human relationships contain elements of what God
has always been seeking from human beings. One word, DEPENDENCE, holds the key- the key to what they have in common and the key to how they differ.
"For a baby, dependence is everything; someone else must meet its every need or the child will die. Parents stay up all night, clean up vomit, teach toilet
training, and perform other unpleasant chores out of love because they sense the child's dependence. But such a pattern cannot continue forever. An eagle stirs
the nest to force its eaglets to fly; a mother covers her breast to wean her child.
"No healthy parent wants a permanently dependent child on his hands. And so a father does not push his daughter around in a large carriage for life, but teaches her to walk, knowing that she may one day walk away. Good parents nudge their children from dependence toward freedom.
"Lovers, however, reverse the pattern. A lover possesses complete freedom, yet chooses to give it away and become dependent. "Submit to one another," says the
Bible, and any couple can tell you that's an apt description of the day-to-day process of getting along.
"In a healthy marriage, one submits to the other's wishes voluntarily, out of love. In an unhealthy marriage, submission becomes part of a power struggle, a tug-of-war between competing egos.
"The difference between those two relationships shows, I believe, what God has been seeking in his long history with the human race. He desires not the clinging helpless love of a child who has no choice, but the mature, freely given love of a lover. He has been "romancing" us all along.
This romantic dependence is what we're aiming at (dangling participles be ignored!).
posted by Stephen Court
March 1, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
My pal Peter is helping me focus my Gospel slogan- repentance and dependence.
He sent me this nuanced view from Philip Yancey:
"To understand the gain to God, think back to the images from the Prophets: God as Parent and as Lover. Both those human relationships contain elements of what God
has always been seeking from human beings. One word, DEPENDENCE, holds the key- the key to what they have in common and the key to how they differ.
"For a baby, dependence is everything; someone else must meet its every need or the child will die. Parents stay up all night, clean up vomit, teach toilet
training, and perform other unpleasant chores out of love because they sense the child's dependence. But such a pattern cannot continue forever. An eagle stirs
the nest to force its eaglets to fly; a mother covers her breast to wean her child.
"No healthy parent wants a permanently dependent child on his hands. And so a father does not push his daughter around in a large carriage for life, but teaches her to walk, knowing that she may one day walk away. Good parents nudge their children from dependence toward freedom.
"Lovers, however, reverse the pattern. A lover possesses complete freedom, yet chooses to give it away and become dependent. "Submit to one another," says the
Bible, and any couple can tell you that's an apt description of the day-to-day process of getting along.
"In a healthy marriage, one submits to the other's wishes voluntarily, out of love. In an unhealthy marriage, submission becomes part of a power struggle, a tug-of-war between competing egos.
"The difference between those two relationships shows, I believe, what God has been seeking in his long history with the human race. He desires not the clinging helpless love of a child who has no choice, but the mature, freely given love of a lover. He has been "romancing" us all along.
This romantic dependence is what we're aiming at (dangling participles be ignored!).
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
My pal Peter is helping me focus my Gospel slogan- repentance and dependence.
He sent me this nuanced view from Philip Yancey:
"To understand the gain to God, think back to the images from the Prophets: God as Parent and as Lover. Both those human relationships contain elements of what God
has always been seeking from human beings. One word, DEPENDENCE, holds the key- the key to what they have in common and the key to how they differ.
"For a baby, dependence is everything; someone else must meet its every need or the child will die. Parents stay up all night, clean up vomit, teach toilet
training, and perform other unpleasant chores out of love because they sense the child's dependence. But such a pattern cannot continue forever. An eagle stirs
the nest to force its eaglets to fly; a mother covers her breast to wean her child.
"No healthy parent wants a permanently dependent child on his hands. And so a father does not push his daughter around in a large carriage for life, but teaches her to walk, knowing that she may one day walk away. Good parents nudge their children from dependence toward freedom.
"Lovers, however, reverse the pattern. A lover possesses complete freedom, yet chooses to give it away and become dependent. "Submit to one another," says the
Bible, and any couple can tell you that's an apt description of the day-to-day process of getting along.
"In a healthy marriage, one submits to the other's wishes voluntarily, out of love. In an unhealthy marriage, submission becomes part of a power struggle, a tug-of-war between competing egos.
"The difference between those two relationships shows, I believe, what God has been seeking in his long history with the human race. He desires not the clinging helpless love of a child who has no choice, but the mature, freely given love of a lover. He has been "romancing" us all along.
This romantic dependence is what we're aiming at (dangling participles be ignored!).
posted by Stephen Court
February 29, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
Monday, March 01, 2004
February 29, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
February 29, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
February 29, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
February 29, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
February 29, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
February 29, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The numbers are in for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. It is the second largest long weekend opening in history:
""The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million." (FoxNews.com) ($117.5 mil)
It is the second biggest RESTRICTED movie weekend opening (behind THE MATRIX RELOADED). It was the seventh biggest three-day opening ever.
This is a film completely in one dead language and an barely-breathing language.
This blows away predictions, early on, of total failure, and last week, of a $30-40 million take.
A whole pile of people have been exposed to the greatest sacrifice in history. Multitudes more will see it soon. Let's pray that Holy Spirit uses it to convict independents of the guilt with regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement, and the rest of us of Jesus' enormous love.
posted by Stephen Court
