Armybarmy Blog

more today...

Paul Berman at slate.com exposes this trendy stupidity:

"The cult of Ernesto Che Guevara is an episode in the moral callousness of our time. Che was a totalitarian. He achieved nothing but disaster. Many of the early leaders of the Cuban Revolution favored a democratic or democratic-socialist direction for the new Cuba. But Che was a mainstay of the hardline pro-Soviet faction, and his faction won. Che presided over the Cuban Revolution's first firing squads. He founded Cuba's "labor camp" system—the system that was eventually employed to incarcerate gays, dissidents, and AIDS victims. To get himself killed, and to get a lot of other people killed, was central to Che's imagination. In the famous essay in which he issued his ringing call for "two, three, many Vietnams," he also spoke about martyrdom and managed to compose a number of chilling phrases: "Hatred as an element of struggle; unbending hatred for the enemy, which pushes a human being beyond his natural limitations, making him into an effective, violent, selective, and cold-blooded killing machine. This is what our soldiers must become …"— and so on. He was killed in Bolivia in 1967, leading a guerrilla movement that had failed to enlist a single Bolivian peasant.

I guess it is a little superficial to suggest that we must exercise more energy and zeal toward our almost opposite ends, such that we might adapt his assertion:
"Love as an element of struggle; unbending love for the enemy, which pushes a human being beyond his natural limitations, making him into an effective, violent, selective, and hot-blooded loving machine. This is what our soldiers must become …"
How about it?

The classic Che shirts with the black on red sillouette have already been coopted by Christians with a hardcore Jesus. I like it, except that Che couldn't hold a candle to the Revolultionary Jesus.
Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

more today...
I just read Jay Nordlinger on nationalreview.com and he copies a letter from the former mayor of New York, Ed Koch to the New York Times (Sept. 21):
"To the editor:

"In today's article reporting the decapitation by terrorists in Iraq of American civilian Eugene Armstrong, the Times reporter wrote, "In the video of the beheading, an insurgent wearing a ski mask and surrounded by four men with assault rifles says the group is killing Mr. Armstrong because the American occupiers and the interim Iraqi government failed to meet the deadline. Much of the man's long speech is addressed to President Bush, who is called a dog at one point."

"Please note that the news article omitted an important part of the story, which was the exact phrase uttered by the executioner at the time he cut Armstrong's throat and severed his head from his body. That phrase was, "Oh, you Christian dog, Bush, stop your arrogance."

"The reference to President Bush by the terrorist strengthens the belief of many that we are involved in a war of civilizations. Fanatic Islamists believe that Christians and Jews who do not recognize the supremacy of Islam should die. That awful message is part of the story, and the Times erred in not carrying that quote, which many other papers did.

"Lee Hamilton, co-chairman of the 9/11 commission, has said in describing Muslim terrorists, "They want to kill us." Why? Because those making up Western civilization and its ideas — which jihad is bent on destroying — are overwhelmingly Christians and Jews. I believe it is President Bush's faith that gives him the strength to stay with and implement the Bush Doctrine, which is, "We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them."

"Your reporter refers to the spokesman for the murderers as an "insurgent." What would it take for the Times to call someone who has just participated in the beheading of an innocent civilian a terrorist? I am sure the public would like to know.

I am going to write on this subject for the next JAC (December/January issue). It is a touchy one that many don't want to touch (and I don't mean the reticence in some of the media to call terrorists terrorists). But let's face up to the facts and prepare accordingly.
Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

September 29, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Check out this great bit from Captain Geoff Ryan (SOWING DRAGONS):

"We didn't just talk about evangelism and read books on it. We kitted up and headed for the front and never stopped to inquire politely of people "would you like to join us?" We lived out heroic lives amid the everyday traffic and people flocked to our colours. The only question we asked was "Can you keep up?" We were heroes, to saints and sinners alike."

Geoff is describing the primitive Salvation Army. And my pulse jacks up when I read it.

We've got some warriors here on our front who are going for it in a similar way. In most places open air meetings are out of style. Our guys do them at least twice a week. The march consists of a portable sound system sitting in a grocery cart (rescued from a back alley) blasting the live music of soldiers all sallied up (that is, in uniform!) shouting the praises of Yahweh through a tough block of hurt and sin. Then they set up at a little 'park' and sing and preach and pray and testify their hearts out to crowds that seem to be growing both larger and slightly more hostile (by that I only mean that there are more hecklers- I guess they are catching our schedule). And when they go home at the end of the meeting, it is to slum rooms just a couple of blocks away (in other words- they live there).

They are in the midst of crafting heroic lives like the warriors Geoff describes above. I esteem them. May God multiply their number to billions. If you can empathise then please raise up as many as you can. If you can only sympathise then please take the plunge yourself.
Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

September 28 continued...

I just realised that my lesson learned from the DC at The War College wasn't original. Here I was in a squad teaching SALVATIONISM 101 and someone read this great bit from General William Booth, 101 years ago:
"We know that God hates sin, and we believe that He is doing his utmost to get people saved from committing it, and we know that He fails because He has such a wretched, cowardly set of Soldiers fighting for Him. With true soldiers, and plenty of them, He would soon drive sin and the devil out of the world. Let us help Him!"

Copple sees and speaks what Booth saw and spoke.

Now we need to do what many soldiers a century ago failed to do- obey. Let's help God drive sin and the devil out of the world!
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 28, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Colonel Copple's class also produced this classic (not a direct quote because I was scribbling furiously):
- The Salvation Army is the greatest tool raise up by God in history for the salvation of the world, limited only lack of faith and lack of commitment.

A couple of comments:
This is amazing optimism balanced by an honest appraisal of our current problems. He also suggested that attitude was the besetting sin of The Salvation Army.

We've got a couple of events intended to help solve the faith and commitment problems (and, we hope, the attitude issue alsong the way!):

May 12-14: Family Fullness. We're building on the prayer and Fasting movement started by Majors Richard and Janet Munn. Janet will lead us through the weekend that will include streams for all ages of the family. It is at our camp in British Columbia- Camp Sunrise.

July 11-15: Booth-Tucker Institute. This one-week incarnational refresher for leaders gives you an opportunity to live a slum hotel and basically get your hands dirty for a bit, along with some lectures and lots of warfare. We're going to connect this on the calendar to School of Extreme Prophetic (probably) so that you can choose to come for two weeks and make your flight worth the cash...
Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

September 27, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

I have just returned from a conference at which the worship leader taught stuff contrary to SA doctrine, and directly contradictory to the preacher.

It was not intentional, probably. I am pretty sure there was nothing 'corrective' about it- just bad theology.
The theme was holiness and our preacher was bringing some hardcore SLB preaching to bear on all of us. Then, at the front end of the last meeting, the worship leader got up with his shpiel that we're all going to sin everyday.
That is bad enough, left alone. But this guy wouldn't let it rest. He made the same point about five different ways. It was brutal.

In our corps if there is correction to be made we usually tell the meeting leader. I did, in this case. He did nothing.
The preacher was also listening to the comments (along with me, and, I am afraid, probably everyone else), and so he made a diplomatic attempt to reiterate his position. But the damage was done. Most of the guys left confused on this issue.

Now, I am a proponent of bringing in outside speakers and worship leaders to speak into our movement. But this is an obvious danger. And, tragically, it isn't the first time this year I've had to take it up with the meeting leader. On the other occasion the heresy was universalism. At that event, in response to my comments, the meeting leader hummed and hawed about what salvation really means, do we really know, and that kind of baloney.

That is patently ridiculous. And this isn't happening under a stone in some back bush. This is mainstream stuff. And we need to clean the stream.
Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

September 27, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
You guys know I am on about covenant, convinced that it is our only hope to keep The Salvation Army from fragmentation or disintegration in the next 20 years (read my last JAC editorial- or the one previous).
I am not alone in my love for our covenant. Listen to the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Israel Gaither, in p2,3 of the current Year Book:
"Renewing the mission implies renewing the covenant. We're the keepers of the covenant that can only be sustained by continuous renewal."
Amen. Watch this bit from the officer's covenant:
"Called by God to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as an Officer of The Salvation Army
I bind myself to Him in this solemn covenant
to love and serve Him supremely all my days
to live to win souls and to make their salvation the first purpose of my life
to maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army and by God's grace to prove myself a worthy Officer."

Yahoo.
I learned a few things this morning in The War College Presepctives On Leadership class with Lieut.-Colonel Don Copple. The growth in your experience is measured by your growth in your ability to use your gifts.
Maybe you already thought of it this way. I hadn't. I think it is classic. It has nothing to do with age or years you put in (Copple suggested that many people have three years experience ten times!). Get practising. Get exercising. Get experience.
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

Good afternoon!
I came across something interesting in my rations this morning. In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 9 tells of Jesus miraculously feeding thousands of His followers. I've read this account many, many times before but this morning, Holy Spirit showed me something interesting - before Jesus does the miraculous, He breaks His followers up into small groups of about fifty.
Hmm...what a great opportunity for enjoying fellowship with one another, to be encouraged by each other's testimonies of the healings (that Jesus had been doing all day) as well as to dialogue about His teachings on the Kingdom of God.

Stop for a second. Can you really imagine what a gathering that would have been?

Picture it - coming together with other believers, finding out more about them and where they're from, listening to the guy next to you while he tearfully and enthusiastically testifies to the healing he received from diabetes, and the lady across from you with an air of awe and zeal displays her arm for all to see - porcelain skin that was once scarred and stricken with leprosy. Then reclining together and talking about the Words of Jesus and the promises He brings. Discussing the Kingdom of God and what it means to each person, sharing thoughts, ideas and revelation as a body of believers and coming to a deeper undestanding together.
Well, that's certainly the best model I've ever seen for how to run bible study/small group/fellowship meeting/cell group.
As a matter of fact, that sounds like something that I might actually want to be a part of, and I might just feel comfortable enough to bring along my 'unchurched' friends who are looking for somewhere to belong and something to be a part of.
And imagine - I don't even have to go out and spend my entire budget on a workbook series, or the latest bestseller on building relational ministry in the church or even invite in a prominent Christian speaker!

Nope, all the instruction I need is sitting right there in the Word of God waiting for me to apply it to MY life and MY ministry and MY church.
What happens then?
Well, according to the Word of God in Luke 9:16-17, then we will see the miraculous!

posted by:
Heather Wright
The War College
Death and Glory Session

September 26, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I've just been blessed at Mens Camp all weekend.
If you ever get a chance to hear Michael Collins preach (which could happen, as he preaches all over the world, incuding Melbourne this week at the classic Aggressive Christianity Conference- not too late to sign up!), do yourself a favour. Do it.
What a blessing he is to the lost and to the found.
He can bring it.
Anyway, he's on a holiness kick. I love that, because I am a trad Salvo holiness guy. None of this sin and confess / sin and confess / embarassment... just faith-filled obedience to the commands. None of this dissing God's character (... that He should command something He doesn't enable)... just basking in victory.
You'll hear more from me on the subject in the upcoming issue of JAC (October 1) with a new 11-pager on that very subject.
Anywa, people saved, some probably sanctified, Glod glorified- great time had by all- Hallelujah!
Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

Good day brothers and sisters!
Yesterday evening, I had the opportunity to enjoy fellowship with a dear friend of mine who is to be married on Saturday. We spent the time catching up, because we live in different provinces and are both rather delinquent at regular correspondence.
I was rather overwhelmed, however, when I received 6 months worth of wedding plan melodrama - complete with calculating bridesmaids, deceitful disc jockeys and incommodious in-laws and so on and so on, all within a mere three hours. Whew.

Now I have nothing against marriage.
Trust me. ;-)

However, being a North American female in my late twenties, I have participated and attended more than my fair share of typical 'bigwhitedress' weddings for both Christians and pre-Christians and honestly, it has all left me with an unsavoury taste in my mouth.
Holy Spirt continues to bring to mind this Scripture:


'And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 NASB

What does that have to do with anything? Well, the Message words it as such:

"Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking." Romans 12:2

My my! Strong words. As a follower of Christ Jesus, do I unknowingly fit right in?
Hmm, perhaps there is an easier place to begin. What does our culture dictate as normal and acceptable behaviour?
Well, when it comes to weddings, the world has a lot to say.

"With the perfect dress, the right hairstyle and glowing make-up, any bride can look and feel like a princess!"
"Diamonds are the ultimate expression of love and eternal commitment,"
"The average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is just under $25,000."

So culture would dictate to me that as an engaged person I simply must have a huge honkin' diamond ring on my right hand, (the size of which could be said to represent the degree of my betrothed's love for me) and visions (dating back from childhood) of a magical, wondrous day of vainglory, where all those around me bend and bow to my every whim, -however unreasonable because today, I am a princess- because it is MY day, no expense is spared because to deny me white rose petals on each table (at $100/box) is denying me happiness and 'ruining' the day, not to mention the often ostentatious dress that weigh as much as a toddler and feeding people an extravagantly priced, mediocre meal followed by a wedding cake that cost more than my first car... ahh happiness.
I could go on.
Now, please realize that I am not suggesting ALL weddings play out this way, nor am I merely aiming to be offensive, but that's the pattern of this world, is it not?

Ok, so I've been using the whole wedding thing to illustrate the point here, but this world conformity issue is applicable in every area of our lives.
What does the world scream must be our truth, and what does the Kingdom of God decree for us as believers?
Only this: go for the transformation, don't sell out to the conformation.

"let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. " Romans 12:2 NLT

So conformation, transformation - what's the diff?
conform - to fashion one's self according to another's pattern
Whose pattern are you trying to fit into - God's or man's?
transfom - transfigured
The Greek word transform is metamorfo and was also used to depict the change in Christ's appearance to that of divine brightness on the mount of transfiguration, which is some serious transformation!
Scripture challenge us to "not copy the behaviour and the customs of this world." (NLT)
As Salvationists, our covenant requires us to "...make the values of the Kingdom of God and not the values of the world the standard for my life."

So as we are willing, Holy Spirit works His ways within us by a renewing or renovation of our minds from a worldly way of thinking to Kingdom thinking. Matthew Henry warns us:

The great enemy to this renewal is, conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away.

It's about illusory reality. The enemy of your soul wants to deceive you into believing in what the world says is real and true and praiseworthy. The Way, the Truth and the Life says this:

"Don't store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is." Matthew 6:19-21 CEV

Challenge yourself. Right now. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal to you where in your life you are believing the lie and entertaining the illusion.
Then fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. It's a promise!
Can you imagine, with thousands of soldiers undergoing hard-core Holy Spirit metamorfo transformation - that's when the unsaved will stop and take notice!

"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD ." Psalm 40:3

Bring it on Lord Jesus.

posted by:
Heather Wright
The War College
Death and Glory Session

September 24, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The war wages around the world, and emotions are torn as one hears bad news and good news competing nearly every day. It is true even in our Army. Reports of officer shortages in one part of the world are balanced by explosions in lieutenancy in others. A situation of moral breakdown is pushed from our focus by scores of children's homes being committed by youth. It is neither all good, nor all bad. We rejoice in the good. We grieve the bad. Whoever bought into a stoic religion got taken for a ride.

I'm at mens camp this weekend and will likely not blog Saturday. See you soon.
Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

September 23, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Two items of business:
1. a new name for our blog. Because it is growing beyond just Danielle and me, the old name is obsolete. We'll call it armybarmy blog for the foreseeable future- not that the name means heaps. But there you are.

2. I promised some more from THE OFFICER. Here is a bit from General George Carpenter:

"Perhaps more than any would suppose, I am called upon to deal with matters not usually regarded as spiritual- matters of business, finance, property, and personal affairs. But the Holy Spirit reminds me that all these things are tools to be used skillfully and reverently for the building of the Kingdom of God. He gives me patience with myself, with others, and with the unending frustrations of each day. He warms my heart, averting the ever-present danger of a cold professionalism... He keeps before me the vision which won my heart as a youth. I cannot thank Him enough for this renewing. Let no-one imagine that, because of divine aid, life for me is merely like riding an escalator up to mansions in the skies. Life is warfare. I have to struggle. I know the effects of unceasing straing upon brain and heart and body. The flight of time appalls me; the battle with human sins and frailties burdens me. But in the darkest hour there is still the unquenchable conviction that if I trust God and seek only to do His will I shall come out all right."

Wow. I imagine that if General Larsson had the time I have and engaged in this wonderful exercise of blogging, he might echo some of the sentiments of General Carpenter. We can only imagine the pressures on spiritual leaders who have international authority and responsibility.

In the old days, salvos used to pray for the General and the international Army at lunchtime every day. Maybe we can look up for him like that again.
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 22, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Many of you don't get to read THE OFFICER Mag so I thought I'd highlight a couple of things you missed this month.
In 1877, this is just before the Christin Mission went Army, Booth was on to Railton about he need to 'train men like us'.
I love that statement. It reeks of confident, resolute, humility. I guess it was a private communication. It wouldn't be political for people to step up publicly with a line like that. But the need for the sentiment and action is ever greater.
We need to train up men and women liek Railton and Booth. Who needs to do it? Warriors who are like them. And those comrades can actually determine to 'train men like US'.
God, raise us up, please, to that level.
I'll do the other bit later...
Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

September 21, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
A new poll asked Canadians what they expected to cause the most social strife in the coming year.
In the past, usualy winners are aboriginal/non-aboriginal relations and French/English relations.
This year it was religion.
I guess people are concerned about anti-Semitic and anit-Muslim sentiment.
What about anti-Christ sentiment?
We've been anti-ed out of the political square and out of the academic halls. We've been anti-ed out of the elementary classroom and the airwaves (a few exceptions granted here). We've been anti-ed off the newspaper pages and the social register. We're one of the most marginalized people groups in the country (if not number one- that question could be bloggable in the near future).
Of course, it is the Church that does most of the social justice and social work in the country, outside of the government. It is the Church that does most of the volunteer stuff coming alongside the fragile and disenfranchised. It is the Church getting the dirt under its finger nails, allowing it to raise 'clean hands' with integrity in worship. It doesn't sound a lot like social strife to me. Maybe the social strife is coming from another religion?
We're here to bring peace.
Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

September 20, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
'Religions that preach procreation will rule the world: demographer' shouts the newspaper article. Phillip Longman reports that trends suggest that, "The future belongs to those who believe they are... commanded by a higher power to procreate."

In Canada, a pretty non-religious nation, the fertility is the lowest in recorded history.

One of the interesting side effects is a generational increase in socially conservative people. So Roe v. Wade, revered for a generation for freeing women up to choose to kill their babies, has produced a self-selectingly more conservative population (because the socially liberal women are far more likely to kill their babies than socially conservative women, and, thus, the next generation of socially liberal people is much smaller, having being killed off by their mothers who have exercised their 'choice').

The big example for the religious fertility rate is the cult state of Utah, which is 69% Mormon. It normally produces 90 children per 1,000 women of child-bearing age a year compared to Vermont, a less religious state, that produces 49.

The response isn't to out-do the cultists.

I write again, there are 60,000 orphans in Canada right now. Perhaps we can deal with that number, bring them up in the fear and friendship of the Lord, and use our excess food to feed the starving thousands in Africa.

I don't know.
Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

Hi- here is an addendum to this morning's blog. I didn't mention the bit on covenant, but it could have been that this person/position was the exact one dismantled by Catherine Booth in Aggressive Christianity (updated by Cory Harrison):

"So satan started scheming, saying, ‘what can I do? I am going to end up beat by these guys. They are going to snatch the authority of this world right out of my hands. I can’t let that happen but what can I do? It makes no sense to use my worst people, they’ll never buy it. Wait a minute, I know what I can do, I get a hold of a couple of those so-called good Christians, I’ll creep in, unaware to them of course, and I’ll insert a false doctrine here and there thus deceiving the elect!’ And he did it. He accomplished his plan. He slowly but surely lowered the standards of our Christian covenant. He lowered the standards of our life and character. Sure through every revival God has raised them back up to a certain extent, but we have never gotten back fully to the simplicity, and purity, and passion that we read about in the book of Acts and in the books after it. And in every generation since then, satan has gotten somebody to stand up and say that the standard is too high for us humans, it’s too hard, too unrealistic to expect so much."

Amen.

Oh, and I just read an editorial on the safe-injection site anniversary in my neighbourhood. It is called 'Nothing to celebrate about city's safe-injection site'. At least we're not the only level-headed ones. The editorial mentions the nearly $2 million we're paying so that police officers can be on site or on-call nearby 24/7 and so that the neighbourhood's "4,500 injecting drug users can inject the poision of their choice several times a day in a clean, dry place. (Joey Thompson, THE PROVINCE, September 17, 2004)."

Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

September 19, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
My friend recounted to me a conversation with a cadet who doedn't believe a few of the doctrines.
Not a big deal, you say?

Well, this person has covenanted with God based on the doctrines. He has applied for officership based partly on his belief in these doctrines. He feels 'called' to officership, which is basically the vocation of establishing these doctrines in the hearts of every human on the planet. He has confirmed verbally and in writing his belief in the doctrines. And he avoids confessing his disbelief to his superior officers (not wanting, I gather, to jeopardize the free car and home- in the West- and tenure for life).

So here we are, The Salvation Army, stuck with a lying, deceitful, underhanded, misled (in beliefs) scoundrel. If things follow form, this lying, deceitful, underhanded, misled scoundrel will be a leader in The Salvation Army, maybe at your corps, in a matter of months. Here's one for you. He's not alone.

When do we draw a line in the sand? At what point do we say 'enough is enough'?
It is bigger than officership. It goes to all of soldiership.

I am asking a common courtesy, which may be naive in this situation. How about having the honour of quietly stepping out of the ranks if you don't believe what you covenanted that you believed? How about having the modesty to relinquish your soldiership if you are intentionally, habitually not living up to your covenant promises? How about helping us cleanse the ranks of compromising hypocrisy? Either that or repent.

Not only will it go better for you in eternity, but your resignation of your soldiership (and, for you officers who fit the bill, your offiership) could be the best thing you'll ever do for The Salvation Army.
I'd prefer repentance.
Much grace,
sec
PS feel free to invite your friends to read this one.
posted by Stephen Court

September 18, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I've been talking to some young adults over the last little while in a few cities. I am encouraged by comments about their futures. I note an interesting distinction, though.
Some are saying that their goal is to be Salvation Army officers.
Some are saying that their goal is to win the world for Jesus, or some similar planet-shaking effect.
Structure v. function.
Now, don't get me wrong. Many of the latter group will become officers along the way. But it does seem to suggest the morphing of officership into something new in the future. I'm saying this, and I might just be the last modern Salvationist (most of the movers younger seem to be poMo).
I don't know how it will look. I do notice that there seem to be too many officers for the appointments around here and the 'downsizing' of our officers training facilities seems to generate only sentimental complaint, not missional critique. In our theatre of war, I expect that it is a financial element (we don't have enough to pay for them if we get them) that deadens the call for more officers.
Again, I believe we need heaps of great officers.
But I also believe that the next generation might see a multitude of tent-making warriors (I'm not talking about people who sign up with the Army as youth leaders and so on in staff positions- those, too, will feel the economic heat, most likely long before officership). This could be the model that solves the financial puzzle.
It is heartening to hear some of the younger adults intuitively grasping this imminent reality and couching their dreams and determinations in terms of mission and not position.
God empower each of them dreaming of accomplishing great things with You!
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 17, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I've never seen Canadian Idol. But I hear that Kalan Porter is the new one. I guess he sang I CAN ONLY IMAGINE to nail it last night in front of a record tv audience (record for CI). Yahoo. Here are the words of the 1999 MercyMe song:
"I can only imagine what it will be like, when I walk by Your side...
I can only imagine, what my eyes will see, when Your Face is before me!
I can only imagine. I can only imagine.

Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! I can only imagine!

I can only imagine, when that day comes, when I find myself standing in the Son!
I can only imagine, when all I will do, is forever, forever worship You!
I can only imagine! I can only imagine!

I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!! Only imagine!!!
I can only imagine.

I can only imagine, when all I do is forever, forever worship You!
I can only imagine."
Copyright: �1999 MercyMe

I don't follow this stuff except to say that I know that the Australian Idol last year is a solid Christian guy. I find it interesting that Christian types are winning these competitions. I know we've got great singers, and that many pop stars started out in churches. But I am glad to see us engaging the culture effectively. I know that we can change it if we don't succumb to the temptations some of these formerly churched pop singers to whom I just alluded have faced.

I am told that Bart Simpson figures you just have to change 'baby' to 'Jesus' to have a Christian song. We can't settle on that, but I could handle it as a start.

God bless this new winner. May he spread the Gospel to places you and I can't reach.
Much grace,
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Posted by Stephen Court

Hi- yesterday was the first anniversary of InSite, North America's only safe injection site. This is the place in our neighbourhood where you go, having purchased illegal drugs, and the government employees will make sure you inject your drugs 'safely'.

Strangely, stats are unavailable. Find out about InSite at http://www.vch.ca/sis/

Tragically, a rogue nurse who seems to have kicked this whole thing off received an international award from HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH this week to coincide with the big event.

We're not winning the war on all fronts down here...
Grace,
sec

September 16, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
USS SA has a nice piece on slum sisters here (http://www.uss.salvationarmy.org/slumsisters2.htm).
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 15, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Have you ever found new verses in the Bible? I mean, stuff that you'd obviously read but maybe never really saw before? It could be that I am getting old and I just can't remember, but how about this one?

"The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh in hell."

James 5:3!

So, an update on BE A HERO. We recently exceeded 1,000 children's homes committed. Hallelujah! Yahoo. 9,000 to go (in phase 1).

I am bouncing the idea of an experiment in preparation for possible persecution and tribulation. You hear stories about how we won't have access to Bibles in those days so I am toying with the idea of pretending for a year (War College year) that we don't have access to one of the books of the Bible (for blogging sake, let's say Revelation). So I give them a week or two first (22 chapters, 22 students...) and after that they have to depend on each other for the contents of the book. It could be a great exercise in community... What do you think?
Much grace
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Posted by Stephen Court
info@thewarcollege.com

September 14, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I promised to go on a bit more about candidate qualifications, this time less on the doing and more on the being/thinking.

It would be nice if they were holy.

That statement could offend everyone. Some will insist, 'They must be holy! What's with the squishy 'it would be nice?'' Some will drop their jaw to their keyboards as if we started talking about Mars. For these people, the majority, holiness is so alien to everyday lives, the concept (and thus, probably, the experience), that to even suggest it as a dream option, let alone a necessity, is to lose them completely.

Nevertheless, it would be nice if they were holy. It would be nice if they'd dealt with their 'issues' (remember when I blogged that my friends sometimes use that word as an alternative for demons?). It would be nice if they were growing healthy Spirit fruit.

The problem is that most candidates haven't heard a real Biblical teaching on holiness. The reasons are manifold. We softened up on holiness a couple of generations ago. By the 60s, for us, it became, in some very large circles, frothy proto-WWJD rhetoric. A generation of that will water down your teaching. So we don't teach it mich. It is a little embarrassing, so we camp out on relevance instead.

There are two ways a preacher an go when s/he doesn't experience something. One- don't preach it so as not to be a hypocrite. Two- follow the old preacher's advice and keep preaching it until you experience it. For the most part, we never took the advice. We take the former position, a fairly weak one. But the old preacher's advice stands. If you want to be holy, keep preaching holiness. If you want power, keep preaching power. If you want to see The Salvation Army rise up through a return to covenant, keep preaching covenant.

It would be nice if candidates were committed for life. Now, of course, they intend to be (or pretend to be- I'm not sure), since they actually sign up that way a couple of times in the two years of training. And teh Army pours THOUSANDS of dollars into their training in the Western World. It would be nice if we could count on them to fulfill their covenants.

It would be nice if candidates were committed to world conquest. I am not sure what many candidates are committed to. But I suspect some don't have the slightest idea that God wants to use them to help win the world.

It would be nice if candidates believed the doctrines. That requires that they read them and the Handbook and... (this gets into my last blog on the subject on Sunday and the standards for soldiers).

Oh, and it would be nice if they didn't have a spiritual inferiority complex that kept pressing them to imitate like our cousins in the Body of Christ in ways that compromised the rest of us.

None of these are actions. They are mindsets and heartsets. And I think we should check closely for them before accepting candidates for training.
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

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

We've just added a speaker to the Free Shooters speakers and worship leaders bureau. Cory Harrison is a leader in North Carolina who has started The Salvation Army 242. God has inspired him to bring forth a Joel chapter 2 message under the Ephesians chapter 4 mandate to develop a modern day Acts 2 ministry.  Cool, eh? You have maybe heard of Doctrine One Salvos (those who buy doctrine one and figure, 'let's leave it at that'- which is a little weak but at least not soft - the soft ones are those who reinterpret doctrine 1!). Well Cory is an O&R 1 Salvo. Part of his mission is to make sure that all Soldiers and future Soldiers follow the Orders and Regulations chapter 1 section1 and, "know the history and origin of the movement that they are joining."

I could go on for awhile about the guy but I will stop with two things:
1. He sometimes signs off like this:
Fighting with you as a "Persistent Seeker of Souls and a Resolute Opponent of Satan"
...
Primitive Salvationist : God Chaser
- how can you beat that? And,
2. You should prayerfully sign this guy up for events you have! (contact info and bio and topics at Free Shooters on the menu page of armybarmy.com)

Alright. I've got more to blog (follow up to cadet requirements on the thinking part as opposed to the doing), but I will get to it later today, all being well.
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 12, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
So I am out doing a little street combat tonight and who do I run into? The Comm! She's wearing a SA Chaplain jacket, bright red, lighting it up for Jesus. She's a legend on these streets. It was pretty cool to see, especially as we had a bunch of The Martyrs (new War College session that starts tomorrow) out, too.

Speaking of Comms and training (smooth, eh?) here's my two cents towards training reform.

There is a lot to say on the subject (and I have, elsewhere, especially regarding corps-based officer training) but here is a word on the conventional method. If you are going to go to training college here are some thing you should have under your belt (of truth).

For starters, fulfill our standards for soldiership (see September 2 blog on that issue). After that, check out the 614 Growth chart (on the 614 page of armybarmy.com and the upcoming 614 wheel- stay tuned to armybarmy.com).

But how about these? Prove success in:
- seeing people saved,
- seeing peopel discipled,
- seeing cells multiplied (with you as the leader),
- seeing projects accomplished.

I expect that would decimate the ranks of the candidates (and maybe not just the candidates). So, say we don't have any cadets for a few years because no one qualifies? Is that terrible? Well, it's brutal because we need leaders, but in the long term it is good because those going in will be effective, glowing examples for soldiers (many of whom consider officership based on the model of their officers), and multiplying leaders (and they will multiply effective, glowing leaders...). Think big, start small, go deep. It would mean explosive growth in the next generation...

Just some bedtime thoughts...
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 11, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

My friend Phil wrote this to me and I thought you'd like it (I've editted a bit):

I was reading Psalm 3:6-8:
"I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side. Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked! Victory comes from you, O Lord. May your blessings rest on your people."

Made me think back to "Be a Hero" - I'm reading it and loving it - and how amazing it is when you think about it. If David truly wasn't afraid of 10,000 enemies on every side ... that is awesome, godly courage. It made me think of what if we had 10,000 HEROES, each one not afraid of the 10,000 on every side (bloggers' note- 100 million). Each of those heroes scattered throughout the world could take on the multitude, fully assured that true victory comes only from the Lord. And then, of course, my mind was drawn to the Army song (#167) that says, (the thought here is that the 10,000 heroes could win the 10,000 enemies that surround):

Ten thousand times ten thousand,
In sparkling raiment bright,
The armies of the ransomed saints
Throng up the steeps of light;
'Tis finished! all is finished,
Their fight with death and sin;
Fling open wide the golden gates,
And let the victors in.

What rush of hallelujahs
Fills all the earth and sky;
What ringing of a thousand harps
Bespeaks the triumph nigh!
O day, for which creation
And all its tribes were made!
O joy, for all its former woes
A thousandfold repaid!

Bring near thy great salvation,
Thou Lamb for sinners slain;
Fulfill thy love's redemptive plan.
Then take thy power and reign;
Appear, desire of nations,
Thine exiles long for home;
Show in the heavens thy promised sign;
Thou Prince and Saviour, come.

Thanks, Phil. Let's prepare the 10,000. Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 10, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The Salvaiton Army international siite- www1.salvationarmy.org - has some world prayer requests, leaning on the issue of human trafficking, which we're tackling (Hallelujah!). Here they are:
General Prayer Requests

Rescue and Restoration
Pray for the rescue and restoration of the countless number of children who have become victims of sexual trafficking, including the following:

for an end to their captivity and sexual abuse,
for as many safe and secure shelters as are needed to provide for their material needs,
for loving care takers to provide comfort, solace, and a sense of family,
for training and education to provide these children with meaningful and productive livelihoods,
for medical treatment to meet their many health concerns;
for the Gospel message to reach their ears and be received in their hearts.

Breakdown of the Sex Industry
Pray for the breakdown of the sex industry, which fuels the sexual trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children, including the following:

the demise of pornographic magazines;
a ban on internet pornography and sex tourism cites;
for the closure of clubs with nude dancing and stripping;
strong law enforcement efforts the world over to enforce obscenity laws, fight corruption, and to arrest/convict the pimps, traffickers and “customers”;
permanently close all brothels.

Reduction of Demand
Pray for efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex, including the following:

the defeat of attempts to legalize prostitution underway in countries such as New Zealand and other countries at risk such as South Africa, Spain, Columbia, Thailand, Poland, and Indonesia;
the overturn of laws that legalized prostitution in the Netherlands, Germany, and certain districts of Australia;
for a repeal of legalized prostitution in Nevada;
for the development in the U.S. and around the world of court mandated programs known as “johns’ schools” for men convicted of soliciting for sex (aimed at educating men about the harms of prostitution);
for the success and development of additional ministries such as “Faithful and True” which help people plagued with sexual addictions;
for God to convict the hearts of traffickers, pimps and the “customers” and to transform their lives, as in the example of John Newton who turned from his life as a slave trader after coming to the faith.

Development
Pray for the development of impoverished nations so that the peoples in such countries may know a decent standard of living, have meaningful education and employment opportunities, and thus escape the desperate circumstances that often fuel commercial sexual exploitation and sexual trafficking.

World Leaders
Pray for world leaders, that they will confront sexual trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation by dedicating their time and energy to the issue, as well as their national resources toward eradicating it.

The Church
Pray for the church and its response to sexual trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, including the following:

for more missionaries to carry out evangelism;
for more Christian aid workers to establish and administer recovery homes for sexually trafficking children;
for an increase in church resources – human, financial, and infastructural – to be dedicated to meeting the needs of sexual trafficking victims;
for the church and its leaders to remain pure and not become the perpetrators of child sexual abuse in any form;
for increased networking and cooperation among Christian groups working on this issue;
for the strength, fortitude, and vision of Christians working to address this issue.

Enjoy the prayer. Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 10, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I got started in a little mercy ministry (street youth) because my high school friends' parents used to always congratulate me for the great work I do with the poor (The Salvation Army). I didn't do anything with the poor and thus was pressed into some action.
I've been away for awhile and just got back to Vancouver. My inbox contains some nice emails. They ask how I do it all or if I ever sleep- that kind of thing.
Such compliments are as miplaced as my high school chums' parents'.
I wrote one back and explained that we are surrounded by a bunch of deadly warriors. These people do most of the fighting and winning and, improperly, we get most of the credit.
Our thing is to try to reflect glory to God when credit comes our way. But I thought is worhtwhile to note here that a hard-core, committed, able, aggressive corps of warriors makes a whole lot happen.
And I write the blogs! (and a few other things).
Hallelujah.
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 8, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I had a bit of a reunion tonight with a few buddies from high school (one of them going back to kindergarten/grade 1- we've been out of high school for close to 20 years). It was a good time.

One of the guys was with me in a discipleship group at UofT with Campus Crusade for Christ back in the day. We used to evangelise anything that moved. I remember one time we were in the subway coming home from school pretty late and the car was fairly empty (you have to know that people generally do not engage in conversation on the subway, or even look into each other's eyes).

Down one end was a young guy, smoking.

My friend looked at me and motioned 'let's go!' and headed down toward him. "I can't help moticing that you're smoking" he started. 'Yah, so what?' was the response.

My friend continued, "Well, you probably know that smoking in the subway is against the law." Without waiting for a further discouraging retort, he pushed on with one of the worst transitions in the history of mankind: "and I wonder if you've heard of the Four spiritual laws?" At this point he flashed our handy little yellow book (the Four Spiritual Laws) and fought through the gospel with this bewildered subway goer.

Another time this same friend and I were at a party. A couple of people engaged us in conversation and we start in about 'what's the greatest thing that's happened in you life?' or some such question. We let a couple of them answer and then we take turns responding about how Jesus transformed our lives when we repented and believed. In that instance our conversants were so offended they yelled at us and we left the party.

At least the subway smoker just got off the train.

These aren't probably the best evangelistic scenarios. But the aggressive spirit is one that we should nurture and coddle and keep sharp by testing. One of the incoming Martyrs (the new session of The War College) apparently stood up during the immediate silence following THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST this spring to offer prayer or discussion about the Gospel for anyone interested.

Minutes went by but numerous people eventually took her up on the offer, a few of whom made the jump from an independent life (not trusting Jesus) to a dependent one (relying on Him). Hallelujah.

I know that one of my best friends, a Christian leader, got saved through cold-call 'randon' evangelism. It works (and is necessary as long as lukewarm Christian either chicken out from evangelising their friends or have no compelling testimony to share).

None of this came up this evening. But God brings it up in my mind, I guess to sharpen me up. Maybe it will do something similar for you...
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 7, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
On the cover of the US War Cry CS Lewis is quoted, "A doctrine never seems dimmer to me than when I have just successfully defended it." That's clever and everything, but I think I could as (or more) easily say, "A doctrine never seemer surer to me than when I have just successfully defended it."

I just came across an old advert for the Williams Lake Battle School. For what it's worth, it goes like this:
Are you dangerous? Don't you want to make a bigger difference? Capture Train Deploy. We build Warriors. (That's the front side). The back goes like this:

"We are making a plea for a return to primitive salvationism manifest in burning
compassion, reckless abandon, single purpose, Spirit drenched praxis, unity, and universal soldier deployment, which began to turn the world upside down. With a whole-hearted return to such a situation, we can finish it off.
"Are you ready? (then some details and endorsements...) DON'T READ THIS! WHATEVER YOU DO!

"You many be cringing at the thought of giving up two months of your holidays for this heavy regimen- but I can promise you that if God's leading you to do this and you are obedient, He will absolutely pour out His Spirit into your life and saturate you with knowledge and new experiences! What a thrill it is to open His word in expectation, wondering what treasures He is going to give you for that day! You will be challenged, strengthened, and freed to be the person God created you to be- a dangerous WARRIOR!"

I guess we've lightend up over the years. Now we're just recruiting martyrs. We have softened the sell, though, as I am figuring that if we need to persuade them to come, we may need to persuade them to stay.

We've got this little corps in a small neighbourhood of a west coast town. And our guys have preached in 5 continents (plus Indian sub-continent) in its short life (I should say that God has generously deployed some die-hard warriors in this neighbourhood, including specialists in kids, youth, prayer, deliverance, intercession, preaching, incarnation, community, discipling, evangelism, service, prophecy, worship, networking, teaching, writing, and so on). Praise the Lord. We continue to press in to this primitive salvationist vein, believing that God has plans for it (along the lines of Catherine Booth's prophecy). I know the vein is deep and wide and trust we will all mine it to world conquest.
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 6, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The NT method of Kingdom expansion was through covenant relationships between translocal leaders and set local leaders who guided (voluntary/autonomous) local covenant community in various cities.
At first glance this looks pretty non-SA.
But officers normally lead local communities (expressions) of the Army in various cities and they are in covenant relationship with officers who have divisional and territorial and international leadership. Locally the covenant community is experienced through soldiership (this means that uniform is the sign of covenant community). The community and members in it voluntarily submit to divisional leadership.
We're more NT that you'd expect at first glance.
The system is Biblical. I expect you might admit that it isn't intentionally lived out every day on every front.
The freedom of the local community allows us to growth through friendship with others besides our divisional leadership (although, as you know from reading this blog over the months, it is a massive privilege for us to fight under our DC). And so our leadership on our front enjoys relationship with a handful of other translocal leaders who invest in our front and from whom we seek guidance and input. It enriches our experience and improves our war-fighting.
That's a scratch. There is more to come, I expect, as I get time and thought.
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 6, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
1. It struck me that I should probably say something more about our new blogging partner, Heather Wright. She is a soldier of London Citadel (Canada). Engaged, and in her mid-twenties, Heather is a hard-core slum sister warrior with a Mumford anointing. A recent graduate in the Death and Glory Session of The War College, Heather is staying on for Phase 2 with considerable leadership responsibilities. She is a humble, thoughtful, well-read blogress whose contributions promise to edify us and glorify God.
2. One biggie I neglected to mention from last week's TSOMGA was the children's session. Danielle took a bunch of little kids (faculty kids) for a listening to God training session and they prayed for an hour and forty minutes! Hallelujah! There were some powerful visions during the week for all ages.
3. TSOMGA gives hope for any who might have given it up for conventional structures of salvationism. I recognise that this isn't new or unique and we celebrate as He breathes life into a tried and true model. There is a whole generation of young adult salvationists just waiting to be challenged. They need to be challenged on a few levels: personal spirituality (intimacy); personal disciplines (and discipleship); covenant (senior soldiership- far too many good looking recruits are floating around unattached); and the war. When we press those buttons I believe we will give the enemy heartburn.
4. One of the guests at TSOMGA classified it a revival because of the corporate hunger for worship and prayer and the widespread repentance. May it be the launchpad for something historic and eternal.
Glory to God!
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posted by Stephen Court

September 5, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Thansk for your patience as I've had difficulty scoring internet access this week and missed yesterday.
Two things on today's agenda...
1. We're going to open up Captains' Blog so that Heather Wright will become a regular along with Danielle (!) and me. You know her from her replacement blogs for me (which have elicited comments that these were MY best blogs, as well strong response to some strong conviction expressed). I know her from the privilege of fighting alongside her in the 614 War in Vancouver. We'll all be challenged by what God is saying to Heather. Welcome aboard! It may necessitate a blog name change!
2. Danielle and I just finished a week at Territorial School of Music and Gospel Arts. It is my first time there. Anyway, a couple of reflections of a multitude that might be made (and may be, over the next several days):
a. I heard two SA numbers that epitomize Salvation Army music. One was a worship song by Aussie Salvo Nathan Rowe called "I'll Fight", which bites General William Booth's last public words (for more info see Illfight.com). The other was the grand finale of the big concert last night by the A Band (under Kevin Hayward)- "Cry of the Warriors" (excellent title, by the way), by Ralph Pearce (sp?) in Phoenix. It heavily leaned on that SASB classic, 693 (1.
Soldier, rouse thee! War is raging,
God and fiends are battle waging;
Every ransomed power engaging,
Break the tempter's spell.
Dare ye still lie fondly dreaming,
Wrapped in ease and worldly scheming,
While the multitudes are streaming
Downwards into Hell?
Chorus
Through the world resounding,
Let the gospel sounding,
Summon all, at Jesus' call,
His glorious cross surrounding.
Sons of God, earth's trifles leaving,
Be not faithless but believing;
To your conquering captain cleaving,
Forward to the fight.
2.
Lord, we come, and from thee never
Self nor earth our hearts shall sever;
Thine entirely, thine for ever,
We will fight and die.
To a world of rebels dying,
Heaven and Hell and God defying,
Everywhere we'll still be crying:
Will ye perish, why?
3.
Hark! I hear the warriors shouting;
Now the hosts of Hell we're routing;
Courage! onward! never doubting
We shall win the day.
See the foe before us falling,
Sinners on the Saviour calling,
Throwing off the bondage galling,
Join our glad array.
Attr George Scott Railton (1849-1913)).
Both rely on God's power and count on Daniel's phrase- 'those who know (intimately) their God will do great exploits'. Hallelujah.
b. We ended the concert with a song that features two chords. This must defintely be a first (AWAKE DAUGHTER OF ZION by David Ruis, sung many times through by a dancing camp).
c. The drama unit presented RAG MAN (from Walter Wangerin Jr. by Rich Swingle - the excellent drama guest- and Carol Jaudes) and concluded with an invitation for those in the crowd who needed healing to receive a prayed-up piece of rag. Apparently the students prepared 40 or so rags and needed quickly to improvise another 60 or so (that were also prayed over) to meet the large demand from places throughout the hall.
d. There is concerted intention to continue the experience to home fronts across the country in the form of small groups. Praise God. One glitch to this strategy is the lack of spiritual preparedness of a some of the potential leaders. This is a drag that is being addressed immediately by a few who are engaging in extraordinary means of being discipled and trained up. Many others should follow their lead so that next time (wherever in the world) we're ready on Holy Spirit's command.
e. singing is hard work (but fun- especially AS FOR ME by Reuben Morgan and our best Canadian gospel choir impression). You have to carefully pronounce words and think about breathing... It's a bit like the war as a whole. You figure that you can do a lot of neat stuff yourself but if you closely follow the leader (in my case, Cathy!)and submit your gifts and skills and effort to the whole, the coordinated creation can be inspired.
More later, but right now my son is up to something interesting...
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 30, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I found a letter last night I wrote early on in our War Room (we're just over 7 months now, praying around the clock).
Because there is some interest in 614 model, with four now, (welcome Melbourne and Manchester), I thought I'd replicate most of the descriptive part for you.
614 Vancouver
Mission: to win the world for Jesus, starting in Vancouver's downtown eastside.
Isaiah 61:4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated, they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Modus Opernadi: Capture Train Deploy.
Vibe: Rebuild Restore Renew. Plans Hope Future
Battle Plan: Infiltration Integration Invasion.
Leadership Flow: Larsson > MacMillan > Copple > Strickland/Gillinghams/Court > cell leaders > cellmates
Philosophy: Primitive Salvationism= carismatic-flaboured, mission-focused heroism.
Networks: BC Division; 614; The War College Board of Reference (and teachers); PSN; SAWLN; BTI; JAC; armybarmy.com; Be A Hero; etc.
Prayer: that God makes us into zealous, passionate, covenanted, apostolic, prophetic, end-time warriors, strong in signs and wonders, miracles, healing, prophetic, deliverance, discipling, community, and salvation.
System: we've got that wheel, the basic version of which is on the front page at armybarmy.com right now (there are thicker versions that play out specific leaders and warfare tactics). And we've got the Growht Chart, a version of which is on the 614 page.
That might sum things up.
Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

September 30, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I found a letter last night I wrote early on in our War Room (we're just over 7 months now, praying around the clock).
Because there is some interest in 614 model, with four now, (welcome Melbourne and Manchester), I thought I'd replicate most of the descriptive part for you.
614 Vancouver
Mission: to win the world for Jesus, starting in Vancouver's downtown eastside.
Isaiah 61:4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated, they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Modus Opernadi: Capture Train Deploy.
Vibe: Rebuild Restore Renew. Plans Hope Future
Battle Plan: Infiltration Integration Invasion.
Leadership Flow: Larsson > MacMillan > Copple > Strickland/Gillinghams/Court > cell leaders > cellmates
Philosophy: Primitive Salvationism= carismatic-flaboured, mission-focused heroism.
Networks: BC Division; 614; The War College Board of Reference (and teachers); PSN; SAWLN; BTI; JAC; armybarmy.com; Be A Hero; etc.
Prayer: that God makes us into zealous, passionate, covenanted, apostolic, prophetic, end-time warriors, strong in signs and wonders, miracles, healing, prophetic, deliverance, discipling, community, and salvation.
System: we've got that wheel, the basic version of which is on the front page at armybarmy.com right now (there are thicker versions that play out specific leaders and warfare tactics). And we've got the Growht Chart, a version of which is on the 614 page.
That might sum things up.
Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

September 3, 2004.
Greetings Jesus' name, friends.
My friend Mike is now known as the sleeping bassist. He actually held a whole note after having fallen asleep during rehearsal yesterday. Now that is a wonder. It isn't up there with two of the greatest wonders of the last 100 years though: 1. Vince Carter dunking OVER the French 7 footer at the Sydney Olympics; and, 2. Rob Brown, a star bassist, playing an extremely difficult CORNET duet at camp years ago, lying down on his back, with a grown man standing on his stomach!

Yesterday I noted that I'd think something over. Here's another one. I mentioned something about the inerrancy of the original manuscripts (musicians, we're moving on now to the Bible). A solid Salvo took me to task on it because that is a bit harder core position than the Handbook of Doctrine. True. But it isn't harder than the actual Article of War (doctrine one). And the softer HoD bit is based on 'inspired' in 2 Timothy 3:16. If it is inspired (God put some oil in to parts) then some sections of the Bible could be more inspired than others. But the word is God-breathed, not inspired (the Greek- used only once in the NT). And so all Scripture is God-breathed, breathed out. Do you get the difference? In the former, God puts something into it. In the latter, God breathes it out. It is all out of Him. It is all His deal. No conflict with SA doctrine on this blog.

Hey, we did the Be A Hero pitch today. 150 people in the crowd (mostly late teens and early twenties). God blessed again. The response to Hero Holiday and Justice advocacy was lower than I expected. But 80 people signed up to pray the Bible 15 minutes a day for a month. 75 people sponsored children. And individuals and groups sponsored 25 childrens homes! Hallelujah! Yahoo. If you aren't a hero yet, and want to be, commit to these five things and let us know (info@thewarcollege.com). If you want, pick up a copy of the book (you can get it at amazon and so on but if you get it from us the Army makes a bit more), BE A HERO.

God continues to build and bless. We need to press in...
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

September 2, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
We have a thing in our corps where you have to be 18 to be a soldier. We've got heaps of other hoops, too, like:
read the Bible,
saved for a year,
clean for a year,
tithing,
discipled (in a formal relationship),
in a cell,
gone through SA 101, Arrival Kit, an SA book,
memorized the doctrines,
in uniform,
read O+R and Handbook of Doctrine,
in a brigade activity,
and so on...

Well, anyway, I was dropping this bit on some guys today. One responded to the first point, "If I didn't sign up at 14 I'd have drunk through those years until 18."

Hmm. I'd not thought of it. But I will.
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

August 31, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
We heard a testimony this week by a person who came alive when he was 54. It was a compelling testimony in many ways, but also a huge drag. Can you imagine going 54 years without being in God's will? As a Christian? Wow.

I am afraid this person isn't alone. I expect that there are many people going through the motions in the Church, showing up our of duty or to spare embarassment or out of habit doing 'Christian' kinds of things in their lives, but never really connecting with God in a way that allows Him to do whatever He wants, no matter what.

How tragic!

I guess I am appealing to you. If you can relate, don't wait any longer. What does a career or a car or success or autonomy bring that can compare to the freedom that arrives only on the heels of slavery to Jesus? NOTHING!

In 112 years, I know that you'll look back at whatever it is that is keeping you in the spectator stands and of of the battlefield will look utterly pathetic, no matter how nice or noble it is now.

Don't waste 54 years. Don't waste another day. The 110 year perspective should help you throw the temporary stuff away and get on it with it. There is too much Kingdom that our Father wants to delight in downloading in you, too many experiences He has dreamed up from the foundation of the world, and too many people wandering to hell. Don't wait.
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court