Armybarmy Blog

Good day my brothers and sisters!
A freak soccer accident has left me hobbling around town like my 87 year old grandmother (she's had 2 hips and a knee replaced!) and the doctor advised 'ice and rest'. So needless to say, I've had a lot of time on my hands. I never realized how difficult it was to jut sit down for more than an hour. I don't WANT to rest! I've got places to go, people to see. So after the first 48 hours, out and about I went, here, there and everywhere.
Well.
Let's just say that I'm kickin' myself in the pants with my good foot. Not only is my injured knee throbbing, but the associated ipsilateral muscles and the compensatory muscles on the other leg are also voicing their protest. The whole thing has gone from mildly uncomfortable to acutely painful.
So I said, 'Lord, what are you teaching me in all of this?'
Immediately He brought to my mind something a friend of mine said last week when I was visiting him. He is recovering from a series of relapses (drug addiction) after a long period of sobriety. He admitted he was really struggling to stay clean. While he is an active member in a 12 step recovery program/fellowship, once he relapsed he was labelled, he felt humiliated, his confidence in himself and his ability to say not to drugs was shaken and none of his 12 step 'friends' wanted to be around him, lest they too be tempted back into using.
So looking out of his window onto Hastings street, he whispers something that struck me deeply:
"alone is the worst kind of pain."
But Jesus came so that he could have life and have it to the full, and there is NO room for loneliness in a life of fullness. The Lord taught me that many of His sheep are following the 'hired hand', not the Good Shepherd and Scripture clearly states that when the hired hand sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep that he has collected and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. No wonder the sheep get lonely and relapse and become friendless and depressed. They are following one who cares nothing for them.
Jesus declares Himself as the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Therefore, anyone else we would follow leads us not only astray, but into darkness and death, away from our Creator.
No wonder my friend feels the pain of loneliness. By putting his trust in a program rather than the Saviour.

Imagine that - putting your trust in a program rather than relying on the Saviour...

posted by Heather Wright
The War College
Death and Glory Session

John 10:10-18
John 14:6

April 28, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus 'name, friends.

Here is a classic song that never made the cut last time the SASB was edited:

We’ll be heroes, we’ll be heroes when the battle is fierce
When the raging storm louder grows
Will our courage increase by the Cross

We shall conquer, we shall conquer through the Blood of the Lamb
And we will never retreat though we die
Til the conquest we’ve won by the Cross

When we’re dying, when we’re dying in the arms of His love
On the wings of faith we’ll ascend to the palace of God by the Cross.
(anon. SASB811- from the 1970 SASB)

Is it because they shied away from the confidence expressed? I think many shrink back from the heroic, romantic purpose embodied in these words. Of course, the blood of others boils!
posted by Stephen Court

April 28, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Something came up last night and I didn't blog- sorry.

Anyway, I'm away starting tomorrow for a week and Heather Wright is filling in- she is a great blogger, so check in daily.
Here's something God is showing us out here- that we are to get to know Him as YHWH.

YHWH< = >I AM
Jesus< = >I AM
YHWH< = >Spirit (through Judges, for example)
YHWH< = >Father (Psalm 2 and other places)
Therefore, YHWH< = >Trinity
We got to know Jesus especially through to the evangelical movement.
We got to know Holy Spirit especially through the Pentecostal movement.
We got to know Father especially through Toronto Blessing and restoration movement.
We'll get to know YHWH especially through The Salvation Army (and others).
Through Jesus we primarily receive salvation.
Through Holy Spirit we primarily receive sanctification.
Through Father we primarily receive kingdom.
Through YHWH we will primarily receive fullness (the complete package- that includes the hard side, too- fear of the Lord, discipline, judgement, etc).
Are you in?
posted by Stephen Court

St. John of the Cross talks about 'the dark night of the soul'... what a happy thought!
Really. The other day I was at a play group with my almost 2 year old son, Zion. They started singing 'If you're happy and you know it - clap your hands' - all is fine there. BUT THEN - they started a new verse, 'If you're angry and you know it - stomp your feet!' It took me by surprise!! I mean I grew up singing only about being happy and knowing it - never being angry! As a matter of fact I remember a statistic that Tony Campolo used in a classic sermon - a survey taken from Canadian mothers about what they most desired for their children - can you guess it?? HAPPINESS.
This is what kills me, (and perhaps what St. John of the Cross was getting at) do we really desire a whole life of ONE EMOTION? Do we not realize that our hearts of full of feeling and so is God's. I don't want a robotic 'happy' plastic existence. I want a full, rich, engaged heart. One that is turned on, not only to experience JOY but also SORROW. Isn't this what Jesus lived. He was called a glutten and given the title, Man of Sorrows. I want to live like that. Dark night - tall mountain top. I want the fall to experience the depth only to climb and realize the peak! Then when I'm happy - I'll know it! Clap, clap. Go Zion go!
Danielle

April 25, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Our current issue of JAC (see top right) has an article by Lieutenant Rowan Castle on the 8 essential values of The Salvation Army. And Commissioner Shaw Clifton's new book, fresh out, A NEW LOVE, includes his list of the 8 non-negotiables of The Salvation Army.

Care to compare?
8 Essential Values:
1. A romance with Jesus
2. The saving of souls: A continuous commitment to evangelism
3. The growing of saints: a radical commitment to holiness and disciple making
4. The serving of suffering humanity: an army must go to the front line
5. Charismatics: the power of the Holy Spirit filled warrior
6. Simplicity: the life of the warrior with little distraction or baggage
7. Militancy: this is an army, there is a war – this is not a metaphor
8. The collective of the covenanted

8 Non-negotiables:
1. Realism
2. Idealism
3. Acceptance (or inclusiveness)
4. Compassion
5. Simplicity
6. Internationalism
7. Visibility
8. Audibility

Simplicity is the only direct match (I hear this as a prophetic call since the Army is definitely not known in the West for its simplicity). Service and compassion could be connected. Other than that, I'll emphasize that they are listing two different groups (values v. non-negotiables). Both are interesting. Major Chick Yuill wrote in the current issue of THE OFFICER that he longs for the day when we don't have to keep re-learning this lesson and can get on with it (not a quote- my copy is lent out?).

That day isn't here, yet, and we need such lists and the thoughts behind them to understand identity and mission.
posted by Stephen Court

April 24, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
A NEW LOVE is a new book by Commissioner Shaw Clifton (served on five continents). You can get it through the New Zealand Salvation Army website. It is composed by several chapters by Clifton (1st half) and several chapters by several Salvationists from around the world (2nd half), all on or around holiness.

Here's a teaser line, in a chapter by Geoff Ryan:
"If ultimately holiness and revival (and kind of Cupid and his arrow relationship) confine themselves to a privatised paradigm effecting little more than the sorting out of the personal and private sins of the saints (often the pale half-sins of generational Christians who have never really done anything particularly evil, nor anything spectacularly good), then how easily satisfied our God must be. I believe He has bigger fish to fry."

Order yours today.
Posted by Stephen Court

April 22, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I was accused of being weird yesterday.
My friend Heather looked it up in the dictionary and found that this is what it means:
"Suggesting the supernatural."
I'll buy that! Bring it on, Lord Jesus!
posted by Stephen Court

April 22, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Last month I mildly applauded the new improvement on adherency in The Salvation Army. It is really beefed up a lot. For example, now you have to be a Christian.

Thank you General Larsson.

Now we are just waiting for him to do a similar thing with soldiership.

Let's beef up soldiership to what it really is- the most die-hard covenantal, mission community in history. Let's throw out an international directive that you have to actually follow the O&R and believe the Handbook of Doctrine and keep the Articles of War in order to stay a soldier. Nothing new- just application of what already exists.

People ask, 'what will you do with the million existing soldiers?' Well, most will pony up to the new application of their covenant. But for the slackers who don't I guess we will let them hang around the rolls in the same way as the old adherents can hang around on the new adherent rolls, in the same way as smoking soldiers were allowed to hang around the rolls even after we changed things so that soldiers cannot smoke, and in the same way as brigadiers could remain brigadiers even after we abolished the rank. The upside is that all of the new soldiers would actually be committed to that to which they commit.

It would be globally revolutionary. It will be globally revolutionary.
posted by Stephen Court

April 21, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Last night I added to the $548.6 million take that Mel Gibson is making off of The Passion of The Christ. I went with an old high school chum and his girlfriend.

Yes, I saw an early version (before it was released). It took me this long to catch it in the theatres. I was wondering what kind of previews they'd show (something about two tigers).

I found that a lot of it required explanation. I hope that the explanation will prove frutiful. May the Holy Spirit do it for all the millions who've been (me included). God bless Mel (He is).
posted by Stephen Court

April 20, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
You can tell I'm busy when I drop whole SASB songs on you! (see yesterday).

We started RE:cre8, a coffee bar off a back alley in our neighbourhood. And I've foundthe inspiration for it (a little late, I know):

"For from Thy Cross irradiates
A power that saves and recreates." Albert Orsborn
Praise God for the power. Hallelujah!
posted by Stephen Court

April 19, 2004.
Greeetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Here's a big hit:

1.
The Saviour of men came to seek and to save
The souls who were lost to the good;
His Spirit was moved for the world which he loved
With the boundless compassion of God.
And still there are fields where the laborers are few,
And still there are souls without bread,
And still eyes that weep where the darkness is deep,
And still straying sheep to be led.
Chorus
Except I am moved with compassion,
How dwelleth thy Spirit in me?
In word and in deed
Burning love is my need;
I know I can find this in thee.

2.
O is not the Christ 'midst the crowd of today
Whose questioning cries do not cease?
And will he not show to the hearts that would know
The things that belong to their peace?
But how shall they hear if the preacher forbear
Or lack in compassionate zeal?
Or how shall hearts move with the Master's own love,
Without his anointing and seal?

3.
It is not with might to establish the right,
Nor yet with the wise to give rest;
The mind cannot show what the heart longs to know
Nor comfort a people distressed.
O Saviour of men, touch my spirit again,
And grant that thy servant may be
Intense every day, as I labor and pray,
Both instant and constant for thee.
Albert Orsborn (1886-1967) (SASB 527)
posted by Stephen Court

April 18, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Here is the intended role and impact for all of you division staff officers (and future ones), from the O&R for DOs (way back- probably by GSR):

"A Hallelujah Typhoon and an incinerating earthquake going around the division and stirring everybody up."

Hallelujah!
posted by Stephen Court

April 17, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Two of our candidates are preaching, this week and tomorrow. It is one of my responsibilities to evaluate their efforts.

When my wife and I preach we have a practice of not discussing it until the next day, where possible. You own a preach, you birth it, bring it up, cultivate it, and develop it. Then you slay it and present it as an offering to God. It is a lot like the sacrifice of a little lamb a couple of thousand years ago. It must have been tough to bring the baby lamb up, feeding it, caring for it, and then slaying it. You owned it and then your heart was tender over the 'loss' associated with the offering.

And so our hearts are too tender for critical discussion right away. You have to give a short time for separation. The lamb- oops, I mean, the preach- has been close to you. You need a little time to grieve over it (for some you need more time than for others!).

So I will try not to discuss the preaches this week at least until Monday!
posted by Stephen Court

April 16, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
There has been a suggestion that armybarmy.com return to an old, well-loved feature - our discussion board. Now you have to have been around for awhile to remember it, though it did prove effective for a year or two.

The challenge with a discussion board is keeping it active and lively. Let me know if you'd be interested in participating (info@thewarcollege.com).

While I mention thewarcollege.com, let me note two things: 1. the 2004-2005 session (September to August is called The Martyrs Session. And believe it or not, there is still a little room left (visit thewarcollege.com to apply online).

And since I'm mentioning that I'd be remiss to skip over BTI (again- visit thewarcollege.com for details of this exciting new venture).

Anyway, here we go. A decade or so ago we went through a faze punctuated by an infatuation for mission statements. I've got one and two goals. The mission:

(Jesus speaking) I am sending you to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, from the power of satan to God, so that they may receive the forgiveness of sins and a place among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.

The goals:
- to win the world for Jesus;
- to love Jesus more than anyone else does.

Let's work together on the former and compete (tell it not in Gath! Christians competing!?!!) on that latter.

Welcome back to the ZIM Project team, fresh from Zambia, where heaps of people (thousands) were saved and much other good was accomplished. Hallelujah! Major Don Grad, who makes sure armybarmy.com is always fresh and working, was away with ZIM, and we'll all notice the difference now he is back.
posted by Stephen Court

April 15, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Since some are interested, here are a few things about what is going on here:

614 Vancouver- based on Isaiah 61:4. There are two other 614s- Toronto (Regent Park) and Melbourne.

Rebuild Restore Renew (the three verbs of 61:4 convey the vibe)

Mission: to win the world for Jesus, starting in the downtown eastside

Modus Operandi: Capture Train Deploy

chain of command: General Larsson - Commissioner Christine MacMillan - Colonel Don Copple- Danielle Strickland and Ian and Elaine Gillingham and me- cell leaders- ...

structure: cell-based

heart: war room- 24/7 prayer room (I have this cool diagram that would explain it all well if I had someone who could do up a little photo shop or something...)
posted by Stephen Court

April 14, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Commissioner Wesley Harris has been teaching The War College this month and last night let drop a phrase I'd like to keep: Apostolic optimism.

He was refering to the early Salvation Army's belief that we'd win the world for Jesus and our actually planning for that eventuality.

Of course, a world war or two and a century of liberalism watered down end-times hopes to the point that fiction like LEFT BEHIND sells millions.

But there is another generation of apostolic optimists arising that actually believes we can win it all. I am part of it.

This generation makes war its lifeblood. This generation seeks after what God is all about (for example, this generation lusts after spiritual gifts, as Paul commands, not settling for the sinful position of 'being open to' them. It also doesn't confuse things by 'seeking His face and not His hand', recognising that obedient hearts seek both). This generation is a constant rebuke to the impotent worldliness of the church and the gluttonous sin of the world.

I am privileged to live and fight alongside leaders of this generation, warriors and slum sisters and heroes, who, in days to come, will put the enemy to flight and disciple nations and raise the dead.

Here's to apostolic optimism. May the influence of this strain reach pandemic proportions.
posted by Stephen Court

April 13, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

'Convenient' is a word related to 'convene' - 'to come together'.

'Inconvenient' is a word that describes the daily warfare all too often. Things just don't come together.

Night-time calls are inconvenient. Midnight war room shifts are inconvenient. Helping people in immediate distress is inconvenient, interrupting supper or other plans. Putting someone up overnight who finds himself without a pillow is inconvenient. Praying for someone who has screwed up again is inconvenient.

Things just don't come together. They often come apart. A quick glance at Jesus' schedule seems to endorse this observation (e.g. He was interrupted on the way to Jairus's daughter...).

But if fought faithfully (and there is fellowship in the fight) we will ultimately reach community (which, actually, is usually pretty inconvenient, too!). :- )

But who'd want it any other way? (well, I wouldn't mind sleeping in)
posted by Stephen Court

April 12, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I just learned that Major Alan Laurens wrote 'MOVE HOLY SPIRIT'! All the rest of his prophetic package AND songwriter to boot! Hallelujah!

I had a heart-to-heart today with one of the deepest men of God I know. And without getting into details, I want to exhort you.

The stakes are very high. Our warfare is very serious. The ramifications of obedience and preparation, the consequences for failure- all eternal (to some people).

Don't let the daily grind keep you from the big picture. Don't lose the forest for the trees. We're involved in very important warfare. God hss dreamed up important roles for each of us. The training occurs during warfare. We're engaged in it each day. Don't let you guards down. Don't let up. As one person penned in our War Room book: press in (to Jesus); press on (in perseverance); press forward (take new ground- and to do that you have to do the first two).

Let's position ourselves downstream in the river of God's grace.

Let's return HOLINESS TO THE LORD back to its deserved position at the heart of our movement. Let's revere the powerful name of the Lord.

He is going to great things. Let's be ready.
posted by Stephen Court

April 11, 2004.
Resurrection greetings in the wonderful name of our risen Redeemer!
I once did a preaching campaign in Ukraine and was told that the greetings I received (this was during the autumn) were all 'He is risen'. Do you get the magnitude of faith that represents? I mean, until a few years previous, Ukraine had been bound in 70 years of official atheism. And yet ingrained in the social fabric was the normal greeting 'He is risen'. Maybe it was just older people. Maybe my hosts were pulling my leg. Or maybe God was having a great laugh at some communists' expense.

On another subject, I asked how you pronounce ALOVE, the new sub-brnad of the Army in England (for young adults and youth). The new SALVATIONIST online is finally out with the lowdown that you pronounce it the same as 'above'. So, here's wishing the Army in England 'A whole lot alove'.
posted by Stephen Court

April 10, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Big big day. It is William Booth's birthday. Hallelujah. It is my DC's birthday (great leader). Hallelujah.

At 614 we celebrated Passover (I know we are a bit off on days). It is my second such celebration.

And we live in expectation of tomorrow morning when we exclaim "HE IS RISEN!"

Some are wondering about our War Room. We've been going since the end of February, 24/7 prayer. You can visit the 24/7 prayer sites for details on the week-long experiences. We felt that God wanted us to continue. Later we felt that He wanted us to continue, one month at a time. Now we're sensing a bit more (I can let you in a little later).

But the War Room is the heart of the 614 War. It is the hub of our strategic wheel. It is often a citadel- "The last resort of a beleagered army." The shifts are 3 hours a kick. We've gone through three phases of prayer art, during which all of the walls, and some of the floors and ceilings, have been covered with prayers and art birthed in the War Room. All very exciting. But inevitably they are all sacrificed to God.

We're getting answers and strategies and tactics and revelation and intimacy and refreshing and wisdom in this room.

Another thing people are wondering about it Booth-Tucker Institute. For the official propaganda I refer you to thewarcollege.com. Suffice to say that it is intended to contribute to the radical re-birthing of the Army through incarnational warfare refreshers for leaders. There is still room for a couple of people so check out the site and apply today.

Finally, visit JAC (top of this page). We've got several new writers who have a lot to say. Go get challenged.

This isn't all just space-filling There is a war that we are entrusted to win. We shall win, if we fight in the strength of the King!
posted by Stephen Court
PS TPOTC is a shade under $344 mil usd (number 8 US domestic of all time)

April 9, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
GOOD Friday. Hallelujah. Thank Jesus for the Cross. The biggest battle in history. The biggest victory in history. It changed everything.

I heard a great preach this morning by Commissioner Wesley Harris at Southmount Citadel from Mark 15:24- THEY CRUCIFIED HIM. Wow. Yahoo. Hallelujah.

Yah, so here's my thing. In several countries people are a little sheepish about what they are doing. Nehemiah was not one such person. When distracted by the enemy he responded, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should I stop work and leave it to come down to you?" (Nehemiah 6:3). Not much of a diplomat in this instance!

I think most of us could do with a large dose of Nehemiah's sense of importance. It wasn't so much that he was important. It was that his mission was important. And he was unwilling to compromise that, as closely tied to mission as he was.

We are involved in an important work. Why should we leave it to be distracted?

I sometimes feel that I've got the Forrest Gump anointing. Forrest meandered through some of the most historic moments of his generation, pretty oblivious to what was going on. He didn't recognized how important things were.

God has blessed me in so many ways, and I often meander through things a little unaware of the import of what is happening! One of the items I blogged this week about the pastoral Jesus and the apostolic Jesus has sprouted into something big. And who knew!? The endeavour was nearly abandoned.

We're involved in an important work. Praise God who sees fit to allow us to colabour with Him.

May He continue to equip us for our important missions.
posted by Stephen Court

April 8, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I'm excited about this one. Commissioner Wesley Harris is here teaching The War College for a couple of weeks and he brought some great original documents with him.

One is The Salvaiton Army Soldier's Pass. It is good to get you into meetings (back in the 19th C).

Part of it reads like this:
Take Notice
That the possession of this Certificate does not give to anyone the position of a Soldier any longer than he continues to really be one, and that to be a Soldier of The Salvation Army you must be-
1) Saved from the guilt and power of sin through true repentance and faith in the blood of Christ
2) A total abstainer from all intoxicating drink, from cursing and swearing, lying, deceit, and fraud of any kind
3) Baptized with the Holy Ghost, so as to be on fire for the salvation of others
4) Willing to do as you are told by your superior Offier for the salvation of souls- without any discussion
5) True in every way to the interests of the Army; regular in attending its meetings, outdoor and in, as often as you can; in taking part in all its work; in giving to all its funds; in making known its publications; and in defending it from any injury, no matter from what cause such injury might arise.

One of the reasons I love it is because it implies that youc an be cut relatively easily. I agree with this approach, wanting to protect a good standard for Soldiership. Be the kidn of person who does these kinds of things and you are in. Cease to be that person and you are history.
posted by Stephen Court

April 7, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Commissioner Wesley Harris is in town teaching The War College- rich times. Anyway, yesterday, he quoted Martin Luther: "When things are at their worst, sing Psalm 46 and let the devil do his best."

If you're having a tough day, just read on- make up the tune...

For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah, to be sung by soprano voices. A song. God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God himself lives in that city; it cannot be destroyed. God will protect it at the break of day.

The nations are in an uproar, and kingdoms crumble! God thunders, and the earth melts! The LORD Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how He brings destruction upon the world and causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear in two; He burns the shields with fire. "Be silent, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world."  The LORD Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude (NLT)
posted by Stephen Court

April 6, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
My friend met the Pope. He told him that The Salvation Army is filled with "Soldiers of the Pavement."
Yah!
posted by Stephen Court

April 5, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Nolan Clark is a Christian leader I respect. He is a wonderful example of complete abandon. Anyway, he said, 'The Christ you see is the Christian you'll be'.

This was played out for me this week. My friend feels God guiding us to make a decision to stop something because He doesn't want us to burn out. He is listening to the pastoral Jesus. I am feeling that God is giving us strategy to keep it going in a more balanced, consistent manner. I think I'm hearing the apostolic Jesus.

Jesus isn't schizophrenic. And we're aren't necessarily hearing incorrectly. I believe that God doesn't want us to burn out. And I can also see that consistency and organization can allow us to continue AND save us from burn out.

A senior leader lightly (with a smile) dismissed my formulation as dubious theology. Maybe. I've got to think it out. But it sounds like we've both heard clearly. Those blind guys touching the elephant were on to something.
posted by Stephen Court

April 4, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I just hear a great preach this morning by Commissioner Wesley Harris (reserve). He preached at the vancovuer Harbour Light Corps from 2 Corinthians 4:9 (JB Phillips): We may be knocked down but we are never knocked out."

Hallelujah. And a few people got saved! Hallelujah!

I wish I recorded it for armybarmy.com.

Anyway, we've started a publishing group called CREDO Press. The first book is hot off the press: THE SIREN CALL OF A DANGEROUS GOD, by the inimitable Geoff Ryan. It is a collection of some of his incendiary essays. It follows on the heels of his provocative SOWING DRAGONS (you have to admit he makes up great titles!). Anyway, get yours now, for $12 cdn.

Future titles are being lined up now So stay tuned for more resources at your finger tips.
posted by Stephen Court
PS TPOTC is now $330mil usd - number 10 domestic of all time.

April 3, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

I recently heard some bad news. My first corps was closed.

Do you know how much that stinks? You pour yourself into a town and all of that... God blessed it while I was there. Many people got saved. We discipled some people.

I didn't start it or anything. It was over 100 years old. My grandfather was a single officer there, sixty years before I arrived.

And we pulled the plug.
It makes you ask questions about fruit that lasts. Casualties come in all shapes and sizes. But the war goes on.
posted by Stephen Court

April 2, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The Salvation Army in the UK had introduced a new subbrand for the young adults and youth of those countries.

It is a made-up name- an English rendering of 'agape' love. ALOVE. For more explanation, visit http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/alove/ and submit your feedback to its discussion group.

I'm not from England, have been there only once- ever-so-briefly, and so I can't make a big comment on the whole thing. Who can say what it is like fighting the great salvation war in that theatre? 139 years of history apparently were a heavy chain around the neck.

Maybe a new word is something that will grasp both the attention and the imagination of people under 30. As someone over 30, I am again unqualified to comment.

Explains the website:

"It’s the result of over a year’s worth of research and development undertaken by The Salvation Army to express the heart and passion of The Salvation Army in youth culture. ‘ALOVE is for young people and young adults who want to live out what it means to be ‘The Salvation Army’ amongst their generation,’ explained Russ Rook (Director at ALOVE UK).

There are four essentials:
1) Worship: Giving our lives and world back to God.
2) Discipleship: Getting into Jesus and his community.
3) Mission: Going into the world to find Jesus and point him out.
4) Social Action: Giving a voice to the voiceless.

May God use it to empower The Salvation Army to win the UK for Jesus.

How do you pronounce it?
posted by Stephen Court

April 1, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
It's a big day. The new issue of Journal of Aggressive Christianity is out (armybarmy.com/JAC).

It is Issue 30. That means we've slogged through five full years of JAC. One of our first-time contributors confesses to being a recent convert to JAC and admitted that he is trying to read the whole corpus of propaganda from beginning to end. You can, too, since we've archived it all.

Five years is a long time. When John Norton and I gave birth to this thing he was living in eastern Europe and I was up in northern Canada. We share a continent now and even a parallel line (just about). But God has been changing things in our midst. In a small way, JAC acts as a mirror of its day, replaying what God is doing in various parts of the world. It has interviewed all kinds of people, from famous to not-yet-famous. It has spawned featured forums. And it has consistently tried to challenge each of us with the zeal of aggressive Christianity.

We're proud of this latest issue. We look to old JAC friends like Harris and Poxon, Burr and Yuill (with the third and last in his excerpts form his new book- LEADERSHIP ON THE AXIS OF CHANGE). And we welcome newer names like Harrison and Forster, Castle and Collings. And we've got a couple that you've seen now and again, namely King and Campbell.

It all rounds out to be another thick issue, well worth the price of admission (a gentle encouragement to recommend it to a few friends). May it be used to encourage us in our warfare.
posted by Stephen Court
(PS you've now saved yourself reading the issue's editorial introduction!)

 

March 31, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Here are some questions I've been asking God and some answers His Word has provided. I thought you might appreciate them (some sound pretty 'big' but we've got a BIG mission, so suck it up and read on).

How do you keep a cloak of humility on?
ß Resist the devil
ß Draw close to God
ß Wash your hands
ß Purify your heart
ß Let there be tears for the wrongs
ß Let there be sorrow and deep regret
ß Let there be sadness and gloom
ß Bow down before the Lord
ß Admit your dependence on Him
(James 4:7-10)

How do you pray fervently?
ß Take the sword of the Spirit
ß Pray at all times in the power of the Spirit
ß Stay alert
ß Be persistent in prayers for the saints
ß Be a servant of Jesus
ß Ask God to make them strong and perfect, fully confident of the whole will of God
ß Agonize
(Colossians 4:12,13)

How do you create a new container?
ß Fast
ß Find new wine
(Matthew 9:15-17)

How do you disciple nations?
ß Christomorphosis
ß Get adopted
ß Get the keys
ß Ask
ß Entrust reliable men
ß Give your life
(Galatians 4:19; Psalm 2:7; Matthew 16:16-19; Psalm 2:8; 2 Timothy 2:2; Isaiah 43:4- NRSV- 'Nations in exchange for your life')

How do you go global?
ß Have the Holy Spirit come on you
ß Receive power
ß Be faithful locally
ß Follow God’s plan
(Acts 1:8)

How do you do signs and wonders?
ß Believe
(Mark 16:17)

How do you challenge in a godly manner?
ß Do nothing by yourself
ß Only do what you see Father doing
ß Train your eyes
ß Do whatever you see Him do
ß Listen to Him
(John 5:19,20)

How do you go from glory to glory?
ß Minister righteousness
ß Use great boldness in your speech
ß Turn to the Lord
ß Abide with the Spirit in liberty
ß Live with unveiled face
ß Behold the glory of God
(2 Corinthians 3:9-18)

There are a few. Answers are just the first step, of course. Obedient response in light of the answer is still to come.
posted by Stephen Court