Armybarmy Blog

SA items for sale

Developing world creations are available at Sally-run MissionResourcesInternational at http://missionresourcesinternational.com/store2.php?catID=2
You can support Salvos from several countries by purchasing here. Now's the time for your Valentine's orders.
Grace
StephenC

High Council election media coverage update

Christian Today seeks to catchup with numbers 3 and 4 on the list:

http://www.christianpost.com/article/intl/133/section/salvation.army.elects.commissioner.shaw.clifton.as.18th.general/1.htm and
http://www.christiantoday.com/news/church/british.leader.elected.as.new.salvation.army.international.general/982.htm

And Christian Post makes it 5: http://www.christianpost.com/article/intl/133/section/salvation.army.elects.commissioner.shaw.clifton.as.18th.general/1.htm

One bit from Clifton in the latter CT report: “I feel deeply honoured to be called by God to this role in global Christian leadership. The Salvation Army, as ever, stands ready to present the Christian message in 111 countries of the world and will never cease to do all it can to meet human need, without discrimination, whether that need be poverty, lack of education, human trafficking, homelessness or alienation from society.

"The need grow and grows but God’s people rely on His inspiration to remain relevant and practical to the peoples of the world?”
____
grace
sec

more press and correction to stats

The Zimbabwe Chronicle has pickedup the High Council election story and is now number 2 on our our media list: http://www.zimbabwechronicle.com/inside.aspx?sectid=1602&cat=1

And you may remember that last week I questioned the growth stats for Sweden in the Year Book. My Swedish source (hat tip MK) has confirmed my suspicions in the following note:
____
My conclusion is that the figures in the present (IYB2006)is correct
HOWEVER the figures in last years edition is way off...

Senior Soldiers: Where the figure 3634 comes from is a mystery. It does not make sense anyway you count. The figure should have been total for the territory 6139 senior soldiers by the end of 2003. The figure in the year book for 2006 is the one from end of 2004 (31th of December) and that is the correct figure.

Junior Soldiers; In stead of the figure in IYB2005 being to low (as with senior soldier) it seems as if that figure is way off in the positive sense. I think the figure for end of 2003 should be in the area of 126 junior soldiers.... The figure for december of 2004 seems to be correct. The figure for adherents however seems to be somewhat correct in both IYB2005 and IYB2006.

To conclude I might say: Yes so far there (is) a decline every year of Senior Soldiers.
____
So, I will be correcting the note in last week's blog so that it shows every candidate (except the CoS) for General was leading a shrinking territory.

Much grace,
StephenC

Clifton on Internationalism

(from exclusive JAC interview- SC is Shaw Clifton - from a handful of years ago)
____
JAC: You have served in several parts of the world. Please comment on how this has impacted your Salvationism.

SC: We are serving on our fourth continent (ed. a fifth came since the interview). We have also been privileged to see the Army at work in many countries. Everywhere the Army is the same, yet distinctive. All one, but different. This is a miracle of God, who alone could bind together an Army of such massive proportions from so many diverging cultures and peoples. Our internationalism is a very precious gift, one that is perhaps not sufficiently prized among us. The recent Congress in Atlanta brought it all before our very eyes in a gloriously God-honouring way. It is important that we never stand in the way of the
Army developing at local levels in ways that truly reflect and speak to the local culture.
____
grace
sec

CLIFTON on salvation testimony (an exclusive JAC interview)

We'll be feeding you parts of the exclusive JAC Interview piecemeal this week so keep coming back for more (SC is Shaw Clifton, not Stephen Court!)...
____
JAC: Please tell us a little about your conversion.
SC: At the risk of being misunderstood, I nevertheless need to say that I have always been saved, in this sense: there has never been a time in my life when I did not know about Jesus and that He had died to be my Saviour from sin, and there has never been a time in my life when I did not believe this and accept it fully for myself with much gladness. This I owe to my
parents who were faithful in keeping the promises they made to raise me in the Christian faith when I was dedicated under the Army flag in Belfast Citadel hall in Northern Ireland. Growing up through childhood and my teen years there were many times when all this came with a new freshness to me and reconfirmed the simple and innocent, saving faith of a small child.
____
grace
stephenC

January 30, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

My friend emailed this morning with this: "Congats on the big week - two conservatives - you must be in heaven!" Well, I still look out my window to razorwire, but it was a good week.

This week I will be feeding you some stuff on the General-elect. Though there is probably more information on him than any other 'active' Salvo walking the planet, many people have questions. The blogs from yeterday (below) give you a taste of Clifton on poverty, hiring pactices, spiritual disciplines, covenant, children, and so on. But what we've got for you is exclusive juice. Be sure to come back often.

We're also test-driving an ad programme (following Army Renewal - top right). If it works without offending everyone we hope to pay for expenses associated with our online stuff, and, if it really goes off, for some children's homes in the developing world. All of that, of course, depends on you clicking on the ads. I guess the type of advert depends on what we write about, and the fear is that if one of us happens to criticize beer companies or something, then ads for beer companies willl start appearing (and we don't want you to think that we support beer companies). Don't worry- beer companies shouldn't show up in ads because the advertising agency hasn't approved our application yet (and is running charity ads right now- Although, this will be a good test!).

Whew!

Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

Media coverage
According to google this is the first international coverage of the high council election:

http://www.stanet.ch/apd/news/1007.html

grace
stephenc

Clifton on hiring practices (from Feb. 04 blog):
____
(picking up a discussion on hiring from HORIZONS...)
The answer: It is totally different. A Christian could share our mission to win the
world for Jesus, possess the same vision for the Kingdom of God on earth, and
fight to fulfill the mission with the same values of the Kingdom that we possess.
Atheists, homosexuals, and non-Christian religious believers cannot.
The solution to the dilemma many readers have is provided in real life by
Commissioner Shaw Clifton. In WHO ARE THESE SALVATIONISTS he
describes how he determined to hire only Christians to work with The Salvation
Army in people-oriented positions (they did differentiate between grant and nongrant
positions - roughly, between government-funded and other positions). He
did this in the bureaucratic nightmare that is the United States, so it is definitely
possible in many other territories. All it takes is the will of those in leadership. I
believe that our leaders have that will, and I look forward to their brave new
initiatives to aid us in our struggle to win the whole world for Jesus.
____
grace
stephenC

Clifton on spiritual discipline (May 04? blog):
____
Carrying on with Clifton’s paper (from the COUTTS MEMORIAL LECTURE SERIES this year)…

He noted what a great tool the O+R contains- the Test For Self Examination. Do you use it? I do. It is a list of hardcore questions intended to help shed light on the devil’s attacks. After all, we are not unaware of his shady schemes.

I recommend it. It is in your Soldiers Orders and Regulations. Crack it open and blow away an evening.
____
grace
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Clifton on children's warfare (from Nov 04 blog):
____
SALVATIONIST quoted General-elect CLifton quoting William Booth�'s message to officers serving in India: �Pay 10,000 more times attention to the children, but don'�t neglect the adults�.
____
grace
stephenC

Clifton on poverty (Feb. 05 blog):
____
Commissioner Shaw Clifton (TC) commented: ‘I am encouraged to see so many churches and denominations united in the fight against poverty. It is only right that the churches should be at the forefront of this initiative. I am pleased that The Salvation Army is playing its part.’
----
grace
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Clifton on 8 non-negotiables of The Salvation Army (from April 04 blog):
____Shaw Clifton's new book, fresh out, A NEW LOVE, includes his list of the 8 non-negotiables of The Salvation Army.

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

General-Elect Clifton on covenant (from a blog on his installation as UK TC in June 04):
____
I've been on about covenant so much recently because I am guessing that it is what is going to make the Army recognizable in 20 years. Listen to the brand-spanking new UK TC, Commissioner Shaw Clifton in his opening challenge to Salvationists in that territory (from the indispensable SALVATIONIST):

"‘NO one’s going to hold us back, because the Spirit of God is going to push us forward,’ declared Territorial Commander Commissioner Shaw Clifton at Sheffield Citadel after he and his wife Commissioner Helen Clifton were installed as territorial leaders. The new TC said: ‘There must be clear blue water between our living and the lifestyle of those as yet unsaved. We will cherish our God-given heritage on the sanctified life. We need to talk about the blessing of a clean heart.’

"The TC addressed the Army’s decreasing attendance and emphatically challenged all Salvationists to halt the decline, otherwise the Army would not exist in 30 years. ‘Life is too short to mess about. Time is running out,’ he said. ‘God does not want the Army to shirk or shrink, but to grow bigger and bigger and bigger.

"‘Let us keep the sacred covenants we have made as junior soldiers, senior soldiers and as officers. God takes these covenants very seriously indeed.’
____
grace
stephenC
posted by Stephen Court

Classic armybarmy reprint... (from)

January 26, 2004.
Greetings in Jesus’ name, friends.

I wasn’t planning to go on about this today, but in some research I came across an encyclopedia entry for The Salvation Army that was exactly the same as the one I modified a while ago. So I looked up William Booth’s entry, and what do you know- exactly the sameas my modified version:

“General William Booth (April 10 ,1829 -August 21 ,1912 ) was a prominent Methodist evangelist and the founder of The Salvation Army . The author of many books and composer of several songs, Booth catalysed the merging discontent of the industrial revolution and the Victorian era through the 'submerged tenth'.

“His book In Darkest England And The Way Out not only caused a sensation after its 1890 release, but it set the foundation for modern social welfare schemes.

“Booth himself explained, "Salvationism means simply the overcoming and banishing from the earth of wickedness". His mission was to win the world for Jesus. The Salvation Army was a classic 'ultra-revivalist movement', preaching repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the means of forgiveness and regeneration.

Hallelujah! Who knows where else it is going.

What I meant to go after today was The War College. This is our first year and it is going according to dream. We’ve got a bunch of warriors here living surrendered Kingdom life and it is inspiring. They are real slum sisters (and brothers), as real as the originals that we almost idolize from yesteryear. I esteem them highly.

A year ago at this time we had one accepted applicant. Today we have nine accepted for the coming session (in September). We ultimately accepted 22 for this first year (though not all made it in). And we’ve got heaps of other applications for this coming year. But we have more room!

So this is what I’d like you to do- ask Jesus if you should come in September. We want as many warriors in here as possible to be trained up to win the world for Jesus.

Who cares if you’re old (our average age is 24 and the oldest is 56)?
Who cares if you’re young (if you can keep up with the rest, that’s no worry)?
Who cares if you’re married (I mean, congratulations, but, we can accommodate both of you)?
Who cares if you have a couple of degrees and have been to seminary (I can practically guarantee you that you’ll be stretched both spiritually AND intellectually)?
Who cares if you’re starting off your career (take a year to seek God and see what a difference it will make for the rest of your life)?
Who cares if you’re tied down with a job and… (eternity is too long and earthly life too short to throw years away doing something that isn’t eternal)?
Who cares if you are a bit scared- spiritually and socially- by what you’ve heard about The War College (a part of you should be scared)?
Who cares if you don’t have the cash (throw some spaghetti dinners)?
(Look, I’m just borrowing some of Booth’s best stuff- Who Cares?).

It is what you dream about when frustrated after a tough day, when inspired by a great preach, when convicted by a hardcore bit of Scripture.

So, even if this doesn’t apply to you, it probably does apply to your sibling, friend, disciple, discipler, comrade, parent, child, or… So check out thewarcollege.com for the basics and email me for more (address on the site).

We’re recruiting martyrs.
Posted by Stephen Court

Commissioner Shaw Clifton elected 18th General
(IHQ REPORT)
____
The 2006 High Council has chosen Commissioner Shaw Clifton – currently Territorial Commander, United Kingdom and Ireland - to be the next General of The Salvation Army. The announcement came on Saturday 28 January - day nine of the High Council’s deliberations at Sunbury Court, The Salvation Army’s conference centre just outside London.

Commissioner Clifton will become the movement’s world leader on the retirement of General John Larsson at midnight on 1 April, General Larsson’s 68th birthday.

The result of the election was announced by Commissioner W. Todd Bassett, President of the 2006 High Council. General Larsson, who travelled to Sunbury Court to be present for the public announcement, having taken no part in the High Council, in line with its rules, then spoke ‘on behalf of Salvationists worldwide’, many of whom were watching the occasion in a live web cast. ‘We thank God for the General-elect and Commissioner Helen Clifton, and for the way he has prepared them as his chosen ones.’

The General-elect then spoke words of appreciation for the High Council. ‘I want the whole world to know that God has been in our midst,’ he said. We have heard his voice.

‘I feel humbly proud to be succeeding General John Larsson and Commissioner Freda Larsson. God has blessed their ministry.’

He then called on all present to join in singing the chorus, ‘I have not much to give Thee, Lord’, with its closing words: ‘All I have is Thine.’

‘That is my simple but profound life-changing pledge in this sacred moment,’ he declared.

Following the announcement, made in the High Council chamber, Indian and African members of the High Council hung a traditional garland and sash around the neck of the Army’s new international leader-in-waiting, and bouquets of flowers were presented to Commissioners Shaw and Helen Clifton by 11-year-old twins Jake and Jez Thomas, junior soldiers at Staines Corps – the nearest corps to Sunbury Court.

Five members of the High Council had accepted nomination for the office of General: Commissioners Shaw Clifton, Israel L. Gaither, Hasse Kjellgren, Carl Lydholm and Christine MacMillan. Two other members – Commissioners Phillip Needham and Linda Bond – were nominated but declined to stand for election.

At the conclusion of the balloting process Commissioner Clifton was declared General-elect. The public announcement was made a short while later, after private moments inside the High Council chamber.

Commissioner Clifton is aged 60. He became an officer from Edmonton Corps, in the then British Territory, in 1973. He has served in his home territory, at International Headquarters, in Zimbabwe, the USA, Pakistan (as Territorial Commander) and New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga (again as Territorial Commander). He was appointed Territorial Commander, United Kingdom and Ireland, in June 2004.

Changes in international appointments made necessary by the election of Commissioner Clifton as General will be announced in due course.

The public welcome to the new General will take place in Kensington Town Hall, London, on Saturday 8 April at 4pm.
____
Hallelujah!
grace
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January 28, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends. Here is IHQ's report on the High Council:
____
High Council Diary – Day Eight

After a day’s pause to allow the five candidates time to prepare their answers to the questionnaire and their speeches, the High Council reconvened at 9 am Friday morning. The members were braced in mind and spirit for a long day of hard, prayerful concentration – and so it turned out to be. The candidates were braced for their daunting task – and they would all come through with colours flying!

As the Council members walked into the conference room each member came with many questions in his or her own mind. Questions such as: How will the candidates answer the 32 questions? What visions do they have for the Army’s mission in today’s world? How would they deal with this particular issue, or that particular challenge? Do they share similar views on the major issues or are there significant differences? In the case of the four male candidates, there would be questions to the wife dealing with such matters as: How does she see her role? How does she hope to use her own special gifts? What are her views on the current situation in the Army in regard to the equal ministry of men and women?

Fortunately, neither the candidates nor the High Council as a whole stood alone. There was a strong, shared feeling that the day was both in God’s hand – and in God’s plan. The most important part of the day for everyone was the time of worship at the beginning and the periods of praise and prayer that punctuated every session.

Commissioner Garth McKenzie, introducing morning worship, said: ´We are acutely aware of the significance of this day. Therefore the theme of our prayers this morning is one word – Jesus.’ And the response was a resounding ‘Amen!’ and a full-throated, heart-felt singing of song 177 from the song book:

Fairest Lord Jesus,
Lord of creation,
O thou of God and man the Son.
Thee will I cherish.
Thee will I honour.
Thou my soul’s glory, joy and crown.


Then followed Bible readings – interspersed with prayer choruses old and new – tracing the story of Jesus; beginning with the promise of his birth in Isaiah chapter nine, through to the promise of his coming return in Revelations 22. This climaxed in the sung prayer:
Thou art the way, none other dare I follow;
Thou art the truth, and thou hast made me free;
Thou art the life, the hope of my tomorrow;
Thou art the Christ who died for me.
This is my creed, that midst earth’s sin and sorrow,
My life may guide men unto thee.
(SASB 529)

After drawing lots to determine the order in which they would speak, the candidates answered the questions – abiding strictly to their prepared manuscripts – in the following order: Commissioners Carl and Gudrun Lydholm, Commissioners Shaw and Helen Clifton, Commissioners Hasse and Christina Kjellgren, Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan, and Commissioners Israel and Eva Gaither. After each presentation ten minutes were allowed for supplementary questions to give opportunity for further clarification of the candidates’ views.

When, at 6.10 pm, the last presentation was concluded it had to be decided whether or not the Council should reconvene after the evening meal to listen to the candidates’ speeches. After consultation with the Council and the candidates – and out of consideration for the overworked translators – the President decided to postpone the speeches until Saturday morning. After listening to the speeches, the Council will move into the election process.
____
All of you who are fasting, it looks like you've got another day (at least). Bless you.
grace
StephenC

Correction to IHQ discussions.

I know, I know. I try to stay away. Back in the early days our Williams Lake had the first SA discussion board. I moderated. Then I jumped into an atheists board and email group. Then IHQ introduced its first board. And I was active in each of them (this is back in the 90s).

Since than, I've steered clear of them, for a few reasons.

But I strayed onto the High Council discussion tonight during the lull in election news and stumbled upon some posts just screaming out- "Rebut, Rebut!"

So, I had to...

(does it sound like an addict?)

Anyway, here is one on one of my favourite subjects that I posted tonight:

Greetings in Jesus' name, comrades.

I don't want to start a fight here while our leaders are picking a General.

But I thought I'd speak up in support of Biblical Equality, a position of The Salvation Army held in opposition to Female Subordinationism that seems to be held by some in the discussion forum.

The arguments have been made elsewhere (see October 15, 2005 (multiple); October 8, 2005; September 21, 2005; March 9, 2003; December 23,2005; etc. in armybarmy blog at armybarmy.com/blog.html - please read).

The subordinationist position flies in the face of OT practice (e.g. Deborah), NT practice (e.g. Junia), Paul's basic theology (Gal 3:28), and the power of the Cross to reverse the curse (of Genesis 3), just for starters.

There are great Biblical arguments for Biblical equality (everyone who is not convinced ought to read Catherine's FEMALE MINISTRY: A Woman's Right To PReach The Gospel, available online in several places, including http://www.indiana.edu/~letrs/vwwp/booth/ministry.html#Text ).

And there are solid grounds to conclude that subordinationism is a sin.
much grace
Stephen Court

Salvo Classic
Worth a refresher:
____
1.
I would be thy holy temple,
Sacred and indwelt by thee;
Naught then could stain my commission,
'Tis thy divine charge to me.

Chorus
Take thou my life, Lord,
In deep submission I pray,
My all to thee dedicating,
Accept my offering today.
Take thou my life, Lord, I pray;
Take thou my life, Lord, I pray;
My all to thee dedicating,
Accept my offering today.

2.
Seeking to mirror thy glory,
Living to answer thy call,
Each faithful vow now renewing,
Gladly I yield thee my all.

3.
Time, health and talents presenting,
All that I have shall be thine;
Heart mind and will consecrating,
No longer shall they be mine.

4.
O for a heart of compassion,
Moved at the impulse of love,
Lost ones to bring to thy footstool,
Thy gracious riches to prove!

Brindley Boon
____
grace
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General that never was...

Picking up from yesterday's blog, we've added two names to the list on the best General That Never Was.

Keep emailing (revolution@mmccxx.net).

They are Major Allister Smith and Commissioner Joe Noland.

grace
StephenC

multi-culti high council?

Gordon Cotterill (UrbanArmy blog- top right) suggests that a truly multi-culti high council would also feature variety of ages.

grace
stephenC

Options...

I was walking with my friend Rob the other day in Regent Park, Toronto, where I first got my taste of 614 about 5 years ago. Someone from the Park had recently told Rob that the difference between them was that he (Rob) could leave anytime he wanted to. Essentially, he was saying that Rob could never really be one of them.

I have encountered the same thing here in the DTES. The accusation that no matter how hard I try, I will never truly be in the same situation as people who live down here and have no chance of escape. I have too many options at my disposal.

What they say is true. I cannot change my history, and I have tons of options that thousands down here, and millions around the world, do not have.

But I can choose to deny myself. I can choose to give away my options to those who do not have them. On a very small level, this is what we do when we sponsor a child. We deny ourselves the option of spending that 30 dollars a month on ourselves, and instead give it to a child. It is also what we are doing when we choose to live in this neighbouhood, when we choose to open our homes to anyone who wants to come in.

I know that I can do a better job of giving away my options, that I still hold onto things selfishly. But I am in the process of trying. I believe that is the process of following Jesus. He had the option of the full powers of God, and chose to limit himself, to give away his option to us for our benefit. He could have called 10,000 angels to his defense, but he did not.

Grace,

Aaron

Why no married Women? (yet)

I wrote this over at the IHQ board...

Greetings in Jesus' name.

Thanks for your points.

If someone turns down an appointment because her husband will feel bad, that is pretty pathetic. Most reasons for turning down an appointment are pathetic.

The culture is also a lame excuse for continued prejudice. We're struggling to win the world. In the meantime weak cultural characteristics such as prejudice against women shouldn't be coddled as they will be cured.

The rationale that women don't have experience is also irrelevant. It is not that rare that COs become DCs. Married women COs have as much experience as married husband COs, yet it is almost always the guy who becomes DC. Besides, if you are gifted in leadership, or if you have the anointing, you can fill the appointment. Administration is for the 2IC (whether the CoS, the CS or the GS/DS). Make the gifted married woman the leader and let someone with 'experience' - if that is the holy grail - in administration administer.

It's not rocket science. It IS prejudice at worst, and fear at best.

God bless The Salvation Army.

Stay close to Jesus. Much grace. Believe me to be,

Yours under the Flag,
Stephen Court

Rumblings continued... (from yesterday's post entitled High Council rumblings)

Warrior 1 wasn't suggesting that Needham sinned or something by not letting his name go forward. W1 was just suggesting that it is too bad in a general way that we didn't get him sometime as general (not that he didn't beat X to become general or anything like that).

And, your suggestions should be people who don't have the future opportunity to be general (i.e. someone under 65)- revolution@mmccxx.net.

Thanks
grace
stephenC

Women nominated.

I'm led to believe that the following women have been nominated for General at the High Council through history: Catherine Bramwell Booth, Evangeline Booth, Eva Burrows, Christine MacMillan, and Linda Bond.

That two of the five came this year and that they are both Canadian is noteworthy. In fact (running on the fly here), you might say that every Canadian at this High Council got nominated for General.

Nice territory.
grace
stephenC

January 27, 2006.

Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Things are heating up over at the IHQ High Council board (http://www.salvationist.org/hc.nsf/vw_date?openview&start=1&count=500), even as the High Council itself took a strange hiatus (from IHQ report):
____
High Council Diary – Day Seven

Little was seen of the five candidates during Thursday. They were in their rooms focusing their minds and hearts on what was going to happen on Friday. There were questions to be answered. There were speeches to be prepared.

Meanwhile, the other members of the Council were using the free day in various ways. Some were bussed into London to visit International Headquarters. Others checked email, caught up with correspondence, booked flight tickets (optimistically) or just relaxed. A few brave ones challenged the biting winter wind to do some shopping in nearby Kingston. And at least one ventured as far as Windsor to enjoy a breath of British royal history.

But it was not a case of ‘out of sight out of mind’. The candidates were in everyone’s thoughts - and prayers. And promises of prayer were still coming in from all over the Army world. There were messages from corps and groups. There were messages from soldiers, officers, adherents and friends. There were stirring messages from well-known veterans. And there were colourful messages from junior soldiers - illustrated with crayon drawings and handwritten greetings.

Silence descended early and peacefully over Sunbury Court this evening. This was the time to leave everything in God´s care, remembering the words of Jesus: ‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow’ (Matthew 6:34 New International Version).
____
grace
stephenc

The Army in the press against sexual trafficking

Big props to Lisa Thompson for her interview here - http://www.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/thompson200601260827.asp - today in National Review with the editor.

Not only is it great press but it is great conviction. Please pass it on to all of your friends who care about this massive issue.

(one can only wonder if the election later this week will get similar press).

You will also want to check out her SA site: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn%5Cwww_usn.nsf/0/85256DDC007274DF85256DB4005DA3B7?openDocument

Much grace
StephenC

swords to ploughshares...
from http://www.goodgifts.org/goodgifts/product_info.php?cPath=75&products_id=152
____
5004 - TANK
£1,000.00

From aggro to agri:
swords into ploughshares

"Peace is paying dividends in Sierra Leone. The same civil war that depleted the country of tools and work is now providing ample raw material for recovery: weapons. Enterprising blacksmiths and metal workers convert them into farm implements so that a Kalashnikov becomes hoes and axe heads and a rocket launcher transforms into pickaxes, sickles and even school bells.
"The indisputable heavyweight champ is a tank (or a heavy duty 16 wheeler) that can provide a year's work for 5 blacksmiths, turning it into 3,000 items vital to equip a farming village of 100 families. Jobs, tools, agriculture. It isn't everyday that what you long for comes true.
____
Our Army could haev jumped on this classic. Great one.
grace
stephenC

High Council (rumblings)

overheard today...

warrior 1: "Phil Needham could be the greatest General that never was.  It is sad that he rejected the nomination."

warrior 2: "Possible. Some might mention Harry Read, Booth-Tucker, Allister Smith (Jr.), Catherine-Bramwell, Carvosso Gauntlett, Yamamuro, Chang, Noland, and others in that argument."

Who would you add? (revolution@mmccxx.net)
grace
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January 26, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Well, we have High Council candidates for whom to pray today. As well, feel free to scroll down through this month's blogs, and previous blogs (top right) or check out JAC (top right- new issue next week!). THis is the official report from IHQ:
____
High Council Diary – Day Six


The conference room at Sunbury Court was hushed as the President of the Council (Commissioner W. Todd Bassett) announced the names of the seven officers who had been nominated by the Council to be candidates for the office of General. The Council then adjourned to allow the nominees four hours to decide how to respond. When the Council reconvened at 5.30 in the afternoon there was an even deeper hush as, one by one, the nominees gave their answers – gently, slowly, thoughtfully and hesitatingly. Five accepted nomination: Commissioners Shaw Clifton, Israel L. Gaither, Hasse Kjellgren, Carl Lydholm and M. Christine MacMillan. Two declined: Commissioners Linda Bond and Phillip Needham.

This was the climax of a day that started with morning prayers and the singing of a declaration of worship:


Lord of creation, to you be all praise;
Most mighty your working, most wondrous your ways:
Your glory and might are beyond us to tell,
And yet in the heart of the humble you dwell.
(SASB 506)

Referring to God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:1-2), Commissioner P. D. Krupa Das reminded the members of the Council that God’s guidance always depends on the obedience of his people, whether they be called to a prominent role in his service or whether, like most believers, little is known publicly of their lives and of their work for the Lord.

After morning prayers the completed list of questions was endorsed before the President adjourned the Council in order to convene a Committee of the Whole. The Orders of Procedure state that the Council can adjourn and become a Committee of the Whole ‘for the purpose of full and open discussion of any subject related to the Army and its mission within the context of the election of a General’. However, the Committee decided that there was no need for further discussions before proceeding with the nomination of candidates. The Council then reconvened and prayerfully and unhurriedly the members placed their nominations in the ballot boxes. The names of the seven nominees were announced at 1.30 pm. Four hours later the Council reassembled and the nominees gave their answers. Five accepted nomination and formally became candidates.

At the beginning of the day many had prayed for the then unknown candidates. At the end of the day verse two of that early morning song seemed more appropriate than ever for each of the members of the High Council – but especially for the candidates:
Lord of all power, I give you my will
In joyful obedience your tasks to fulfil.
Your bondage is freedom, your service is song.
And, held in your keeping, my weakness is strong.

The High Council is now adjourned until 9 am Friday in order to give the five candidates time to prepare their speeches and write their answers to the questions prepared by the Questions Committee.
____
grace
stephenC
posted by Stephen Court

Who isn't a candidate?

Well, the rest of the world, is the short answer. But, it might be interesting, as Liberals in our country are proffering names of potential leaders of that political party, to engage in a little consideration of some people who might have been considered. While there aren't many huge surprises in the candidates list (I heard four of the five mentioned in recent months) there are some disappointments in the omissions.

Meanwhile, you'll want to check our January 15 blog below on qualities of the next general.

The Rejectors: Bond and Needham. Bond is a salvo of mystery these days and who knows what impact that had on this; Needham is already 65 and probably looking toward retirement.

The Veterans: duPlessis and Yoshida could have been in the mix.

The Growers: Anzeze and Lalkiamlova and Makina and Mutewera were all left out. And we're left wondering why.

Outsiders: Chick Yuill, Phil Wall, Janet Munn. It would be nice to see some extra-highcouncilar representation.

You have to wonder if the relatively new rule that you need three people to pick you has magnified attention around the higher profile salvos (I guess the rule came in so that wife and husband couldn't both pick wife and have her officially nominated).

Meanwhile, C+B lost 711 senior soldiers; Norway lost 100; Finland lost 54 (down under 900 total, smaller than my home division); Sweden grew by a staggering 1/3! (this is difficult to believe but that is what the year book declares- it also notes that it lost 3/4 of its junior soldiers- WE'VE NOW CONFIRMED THAT THE #S ARE WRONG AND THAT SWEDEN SHRANK TOO- January 30 update)); UK lost 603 (in the last year).

The candidates get Thursday to respond to the 40 questions (sources tell me the list had been upwards of 120 in the past).

Now we can focus our prayers.
grace
stephenC

The Nominees

E. Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan
Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women's Ministries
Canada and Bermuda Territory
Date of Birth: 9 October 1947
Nationality: Canadian
Home Corps: North York, Canada and Bermuda Territory
Commissioned: 21 June 1975
Appointments:
Canada and Bermuda Territory
Social (June 1975)
United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland
Social (May 1991)
Assistant Secretary for Operations, Social Services June 1994
Canada and Bermuda Territory
Director of Programme/Social Services July 1995
Assistant Social Services Secretary July 1996
Divisional Secretary for Programme July 1999
Australia Eastern Territory
Programme Secretary April 2000
Papua New Guinea Territory
Territorial Commander February 2002
Canada and Bermuda Territory
Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women's Ministries June 2003
____
The Commissioner is a bit of a legend in my neighbourhood where she stirred things up a generation ago. She has served on a couple of continents. She is rare in having come up through the social services sections of The Army. She is 58.
grace
sec

The Nominees

D. Commissioner Hasse Kjellgren
Territorial Commander
Sweden and LatviaTerritory
Date of Birth: 1 November 1945
Nationality: Swedish
Home Corps:
Östra Kåren, Goteborg, Sweden and Latvia Territory

Commissioned: 30 June 1971
Married: Christina Forssell, 13 November 1971
Appointments:
Sweden and LatviaTerritory
Corps (July 1971); social (June 1985)
Personnel Secretary May 1990
Field and Programme Secretary October 1996
South America East Territory
Territorial Commander July 1998
Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Territory
Territorial Commander December 2001
Sweden and Lativa Territory
Territorial Commander November 2004
----
The Commissioner served on a couple of continents. He has a BSc. He is 60.
grace
sec

The Nominees

C. Commissioner Carl Lydholm
Territorial Commander
Norway, Iceland and the Faeroes Territory
Date of Birth: 14 November 1945
Nationality: Danish
Home Corps: Gartnergade, Denmark Territory
Commissioned: 19 May 1967
Married: Gudrun Arskog, 25 November 1967
Appointments:
Denmark Territory
Corps (May 1967)
British Territory
Corps (July 1979)
Denmark Territory
Corps (June 1981)
Divisional Commander August 1988
Financial Secretary April 1991
Russia/CIS Command
General Secretary July 1997
Finland and Estonia Territory
Territorial Commander August 1999
Norway, Iceland and the Faeroes Territory
Territorial Commander July 2005
----
He's served throughout Europe. I think his wife is a big player in the SA doctrines. He's 60.
grace
stephenc

The Nominees

B. Commissioner Israel L. Gaither
The Chief of the Staff
International Headquarters
Date of Birth: 27 October 1944
Nationality: American
Home Corps: New Castle, PA, USA Eastern Territory
Commissioned: 6 June 1964
Married: Eva D. Shue, 1 July 1967
Appointments:
USA Eastern Territory
Corps (June 1964); DHQ (June 1965); Corps (June 1966); DHQ (September 1975); Divisional Commander November 1986
Field Secretary for Personnel October 1993
Chief Secretary February 1997
Southern Africa Territory
Territorial Commander January 1999
USA Eastern Territory
Territorial Commander August 2002
International Headquarters
Chief of the Staff November 2002
____
I got to hear Gaither preach- a master. A motivator and a missions guy ('Mission Matters Most'), sporting a LHD, Gaither would drive us on in great commission warfare. He's 61.
grace
sec

The Nominees:

A. Commissioner Shaw Clifton
Territorial Commander
United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland
Date of Birth: 14 November 1945
Nationality: British
Home Corps: Edmonton, British Territory
Commissioned: 5 July 1973
Married: Helen Ashman, 15 July 1967
Appointments:
British Territory
Corps (July 1973)
International Headquarters
Further studies (October 1973); literary (July 1974)
Rhodesia Territory
Education (January 1975); corps (May 1977)
British Territory
Corps (January 1979)
Inernational Headquarters
Legal and Parliamentary Secretary June 1982
United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland
Divisional Commander May 1992
USA Eastern Territory
Divisional Commander June 1995
Pakistan Territory
Territorial Commander August 1997
New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory
Territorial Commander March 2002
United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland
Territorial Commander June 2004
____
Clifton has served in every populated continent. He seems to pop up in every chapter of the most recent volume of our official history (by Gariepy). He's got a few degrees. And he's author of several books. He's 60 years old. My guess is that his election would take us into a holiness/ethical/consolidation (stopping the western world decline and fostering the developing world growth) season.
grace
sec

high council nominations!

Official Announcement (hat tip IHQ):
____
Late Wednesday afternoon the following officers indicated to the President of the 2006 High Council, Commissioner W. Todd Bassett, that they accepted nomination. These nominees are now therefore candidates for the office of General of The Salvation Army:

Commissioner Shaw Clifton
Commissioner Israel L. Gaither
Commissioner Hasse Kjellgren
Commissioner Carl Lydholm
Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan

In addition to the above names, the following officers were also nominated but declined to accept nomination:
Commissioner Linda Bond
Commissioner Phillip Needham

The High Council is now adjourned until Friday in order to give the candidates time to prepare their speeches and their answers to the questions prepared by the Questions Committee.
____
grace
stephenc

More primitive salvationism

I told you about the great new site, primitivesalvationist.com. I've been flipping through the pages and can recommend them to you.

Thom Moffitt lays down Army orthodoxy from a primitive perspective and warns against an emotional youth council vibe in PS (instead he looks for old and young alike who will commit). He goes on, "It has been argued that if we “consider the implications of carrying through exclusively and completely the main thrust” of the Primitive idea that we would find it “difficult to recruit sufficient workers with the spirit of William Booth” (Lieut-Colonel Graham Durston, Many Voices One Army, Salvationist Viewpoint, 22 October 2005). Woe to us and be there weeping in heaven at how tragic a response if we use difficulty as an excuse to lay down our arms in our call to fight! If not in this spirit, then why did you join?

Ouch.

Catherine Mount makes this confession: "I didn’t really like the word primitive because all I could conjure up was images of a Neanderthal playing the timbrels at an open air. " She's over it, now.

:-)

Cory Harrison breaks down article 8 of the articles of war (in the undertakings side- right). Selling out to the purposes requires knowing the purposes: "So what ... are the “purposes for which God raised us up?” I would first look to the Orders and Regulations of The Salvation Army:

“The word ‘salvation’ indicates the purpose of the Movement; namely, to induce all men to submit to God, embrace the salvation provided for them in Christ, accept God the Father as their supreme ruler, obey His laws, and spend their lives in the loving service of those about them, thereby enjoying the favor of God both here and hereafter. The word ‘army’ indicates that the Movement is a fighting force constantly at war with the powers of evil and also that, in certain features of its construction and government, it resembles a military army.

Eric Himes breaks down doctrine 9 as being dead to golf. And Nathan Sjogren prophesies and exhorts that, "Primitive Salvationists will take their club in hand and swing the gospel toward all they come in contact with regardless of race, color, creed, economic status, sexual orientation, number of tattoos and even their view on the sacraments."

There is much more. This site is new and will grow as you get comfortable there. Contribute. Network. Bookmark it and email it around.

grace
sec

HIgh Council Time

My guess was right about the tight schedule HC has set for itself. My insider (not inside at the current HC but at others) puts it this way:

"Time stands still at a high council."

My informant doesn't expect a result until the weekend or beyond.

Stay tuned.
grace
stephenC

High Council is silent but the Pope speaks up

The new Pope issued his first encyclical, on (drum roll, please)... love expressed in charity: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060125.wpope0125/EmailBNStory/International/

There isn't heaps with which to disagree here, even for the heathen (although I'd say that it is fine to evangelise through charity, and that, at the end of the day, it isn't up there with evangelising, although an endorsement and evidence of the Gospel). He wants to help the widow, sick, and orphan.

Full marks.

Me, too.
Much grace
StephenC

Hallelujah Boffins

My friend emailed today about the lingering armybarmy.com kinks and expressed confidence that our Hallelujah Boffins were on it.

I had to look it up: experts involved in unconventional research (is one way to define boffin).

NIce.

We're almost done. Thanks for your patience. The Hallelujah Boffins are on it.
grace
stephenC

High Council Diary – Day Five

(from IHQ, with my commnt)

As the members of the High Council sang the chorus ‘Spirit of the living God fall afresh on me’ (SASB Chorus 53) during morning prayers on day five, they little realised how immediate the words ‘Break me, melt me, mould me, fill me’ would become during the course of the day. Commissioner Amos Makina, who led morning prayers, reinforced this theme in his meditation. ‘When we are broken and taken out of our comfort zones then God can use us,’ he said. And it turned out to be a day of breaking and moulding.

sc- if making up questions breaks and moulds wait until tomorrow when they nominate some people...

The Questions Committee had worked until 11 o’clock the previous evening preparing a range of questions to be answered by candidates for the office of General of The Salvation Army. The questions covered many important areas, including spiritual leadership, mission and vision, leadership development, accountability, belief and behaviour, pastoral care, and The Salvation Army’s internationalism. Translations were made available for the benefit of non-English speaking members.

sc- It wouldbe nice to see the questions. I mean, question about spiritual leadership- what does that mean? Are they asking, 'Are you a good spirtual leader?'? Or, 'how are you a good spiritual leaders?'? etc.

To ensure that the questions reflected as accurately as possible the views of the whole Council, they were put through the ‘breaking and moulding’ process of examination, discussion and, where necessary, editing. When this had been completed, all 100 members of the Council were invited to submit one question each to the President (Commissioner W. Todd Bassett) to be considered for inclusion on the final list of questions. A lot of questions were submitted!

sc- that is hilarious. I am wondering how many questions you want to ask the nominee. I've heard that in the past the number hit triple digits. No one wants to read all that stuff, let alone translate it. When we hire someone we ask Ourselves three questions: 1. does she love Jesus?; does she love people?; can she get things done? I'm not suggesting that is satisfactory for general, not at all. But 40 questions? 100 questions?

The President then adjourned the meeting until 4.30 in the afternoon to allow the Questions Committee time to deal with the new questions and to incorporate as many as possible on the final list. The committee was mandated to prepare a questionnaire of no more than around 40 questions.

sc- I'd like to add a few:
1. As General, how will you deal with the fragmentation of The Army? (answer- covenant)
2. What is your understanding of covenant? (key to earnng God's trust, fulfilling prophecies, stopping #1, etc.)
3. What is your understanding of our mission? (inaugurate great final conquest)
4. As General, how will we advance toward winning the world for Jesus? (mmccxx and much more)
5. As General, how will you establish standards around the world? (cut the those who intentionally break covenant)
6. How did General Bramwell Booth fail? (...)
7. How have more recent Generals failed? (...)
8. As General, how will you end the persecution of women within our ranks? (appont basedon anointing)
9. As General, how will you lead us back to the promised land of holiness? (preach, live, promote)
10. Are you free to go to BTI, June 23-30? (How can you pass it up- details at thewarcollege.com)
11. As General, how will you fix our training system? (corps-based, incarnational, primitive salvationist)

When the Council reassembled the extended list of questions was presented, with special focus on the additions. There then followed a further intensive and extended period of ‘breaking and moulding’. This ensured that all uncertainties and proposals for changes or modification could be aired and dealt with.

sc- wow. Wait until tomorrow! :-) Did they want to take another day to look over these eleven new submissions?

After this long, vigorous (and sometimes frustrating) debate it came almost as a surprise when, at 8.25 pm, it came to an abrupt but smooth conclusion. There were no more queries! No more suggestions for changes! The Council had reached agreement! It was as though the Holy Spirit had intervened and said ‘Stop!’ and then whispered reassuringly, ‘See – you’ve made it. You’ve been moulded. Now you are ready to be filled. Move on!’

sc- you know that it was a tough day if the official release uses the word 'frustrating' and they're down to two scheduled days left without any nominees. So far as I can tell, you can do nominations in a morning (Thursday?) and give nominees the rest of the day to work up some answers. I am led to believe that they are all typed out and translated for everyone AND that each gives a speech, FROM a typed text (also translated and distributed). That takes a morning, easy. They are going to have to squeeze things in to finish on time, or pray for short speeches and answers and a first ballot decision (and, as you know, we're praying for a unanimous first-ballot, God-endorsed decision).

Here's to the next General!
grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

January 24, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

High Council Diary – Day Four
(from IHQ, with my comments)
____
The members of the High Council woke up to a frosty Monday morning at Sunbury Court. But within they were still feeling the glowing passion of Sunday´s worship and fellowship. If they were going to successfully deal with the heavy workload that lay before them they knew they would need further fuelling of the Holy Spirit to keep ´the fire burning’. So in the morning devotions, led by Colonel Barry Pobjie (Eastern Europe Territory), the Council immediately turned to the Lord with the prayer, ‘Show us thy glory, Christ of the mount, Thou art of light and wisdom the fount’ (SASB Chorus 98).

sc- nice. I Was just reading yesterday about Moses calling on God with that petition.

Different members then read carefully selected Bible verses which reminded everyone that the Lord guides his people understandingly, patiently and caringly – and sometimes with a gentle touch of humour. These readings helped keep the whole purpose of the High Council in its true perspective. ‘We need a God´s eye view of things,’ commented Colonel Pobjie, ‘and we need to have confidence that God is still God!’

The tasks of the day included the finalising of the review of the Orders of Procedures, the selection of Tellers, and the selection of members of the Questions Committee. After the previous High Council, a Review Committee had been established in order to examine the Orders of Procedures and propose possible amendments and other changes. Along with recommendations from members of the 2006 High Council, these proposed changes were carefully considered and either accepted or rejected before the Orders of Procedures were finally accepted and adopted.

sc- the nuts and bolts. They've been in there at this point five days and they haven't made up questions yet, let alone nominated anyone. It isn't as romantic as some make it out to be.

In accordance with the Orders of Procedures four Tellers were selected: Commissioners Paul du Plessis (IHQ), Berit Ødegaard (IHQ), Augustina Watilete (Indonesia) and William Roberts (IHQ).

A Questions Committee comprising seven members was also selected: Commissioners Linda Bond (IHQ), Prathipati Devavaram (India South Eastern), Heather Lang (Australia Southern), Amos Makina (IHQ), Stuart Mungate (Nigeria) and Phil Needham (USA Southern), and Colonel Dick Krommenhoek (France).

sc- these people organize the list of questions each nominee will answer. So this is a pretty need assignment. You can help coax out philosophies and strategies from potential generals. I guess that helps people hear more clearly.

Because of the lengthy business of the day, the evening meal was slightly delayed. But there were no complaints – the meal was worth waiting for! After the meal there were probably many sympathetic thoughts and prayers for the members of the Questions Committee. Most of the members of the Council could now relax after a day’s hard work, but the work of the Questions Committee was only just beginning!

sc- it sounds like the make up all the questions and don't just organize them. That makes them more influential that I just suggested above. Hmm.
____
grace,
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

New Canadian Government

There is a new government elected. It is too early to discern the pro-morality results.

The appropriate response for Christians is to steal an original verse of the national anthem from Tara Ayer's blog (top right):

Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our dominion within thy loving care;
Help us to find, O God, in thee
A lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the Better Day,
We ever stand on guard.

and a bit from the 'Richardson' version:

Almighty God! On thee we call
Defend our rights, forfend this nation's thrall,
Defend our rights, forfend this nation's thrall.

grace
stephenC

the local front...

I found some great stats on the downtown eastside. Here are some of them:

DTES= about 1% of Vancouver land.
5.7% are under 19.
16.6% are Chinese.
3.2% speak Tagalog (Pilipino).
67.5% of population moved since the previous census.
87.3% are one-person 'households'!
79.8% of population is low income.
average family income (of the 260 families) is less than 1/2 city average.
95.3% of dwellings are rented!
1.3% are single detached houses (contrasted by >1/4 in the city)
98.3% are apartments.
37.4% of dwellings were built before 1946 (city % is 20.8).
While half of the city popluation is employed, only 1/4 of the DTES population is employed (even though the city has nearly four times the proportion of children).

Wow.

The points that jump out include the small number of children, the proportion of rented dwellings, one-person dwellings, apartment dwellings, and work force.
grace
stephenC

General's last words...

At General Larsson's farewell meeting he dropped the hammer (as reported at IHQ site):

In the presence of all the Army’s senior leaders the General challenged The Salvation Army corporately not to turn back and settle down: ‘Don’t forget about aggressive Christianity, don’t forget about going for souls and going for the worst, don’t forget about being a radical force for good, standing up against what is wrong; don’t trust in The Army’s good name; don’t trust in pounds or dollars.’

‘The Salvation Army,’ the General said, ‘must never turn back, whatever it may cost, we’re called to love and serve the lost. More than not turning back from being what God called us to be, we must press on, in the words of Paul, ‘press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenwards in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 3:14).

Amen.

grace
sec

High Council Diary - Day Three

(with my comments)

On the third day of the High Council - Sunday - all business matters were put aside and the whole day was spent in worship, prayer and fellowship. ‘God has given us another day,’ said the Council Chaplain, Commissioner Alex Hughes, at the beginning of the holiness meeting, ‘and this day is another gift from God.’

The meeting, which began with the singing of ‘Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven’ (SASB 17),

sc- We just prayed that this morning at The War College.

followed the theme ‘Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness’. There were testimonies from Commissioner Paulo Rangel (Brazil) and Colonel André Cox (Finland). And the members from Africa got everyone to their feet in a pulsating version of ‘My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness’ (SASB 745), sung to a haunting African tune.

Preaching on verses from John 1 and 1 Peter 1:16, Commissioner Lynn Pearce (IHQ) said that as a young girl she used to think holiness was like garlic – you didn’t need to tell people you had it!

sc- nice one.

But then she told how, fortunately, she had learnt that holiness is the beautiful experience of living in personal relationship with Christ, and through that relationship becoming more and more like him.

sc- I still like the garlic illustration.

The first two hours after lunch were spent in private prayer and meditation. Then, from mid-afternoon until early evening, everyone joined together in a time of relaxed fellowship, worship and prayer. There were many moments of fun, but there were also intense periods of group and collective prayer and the sharing of personal testimonies.

sc- there is nothing like the inside scoop.

Colonel Dick Krommenhoek (France) had written a special song for the occasion – ‘We’re on a mission for Jesus’ - and although the singing lacked a little polish this was more than compensated by the enthusiasm of the singers!

sc- !

Throughout the day the members of the High Council never forgot the reason they were gathered at Sunbury Court. This was clearly expressed in the words of the day’s special song:

We’re on a mission for Jesus, a new leader to choose.
Someone who’s humble and walks beside Christ, our leader Lord.
____
grace
stephenC

January 23, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Here is the next High Council update (with our comments):
____
23 January 2006 04:19 AM EST

High Council Diary – Day Two

‘Let God amaze us!’ urged High Council chaplain, Commissioner Alex Hughes, at the commencement of the Council’s second day. The members responded enthusiastically in the words of the song I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene (SASB 179) with extra emphasis on the chorus, How marvellous! How wonderful!

sc- nice. Wouldn't it be cool to be there for that!

The commissioner opened Scripture at Luke 13:10-17 and invited the Council to join the crowd that witnessed the healing of a crippled woman. He pointed out that there were those – the opponents of Jesus – who were amazed but indignant when they saw the miracle. ‘But,’ he continued, ‘there were those who were amazed and delighted at the wonderful things that Jesus was doing. In The Salvation Army today we can witness wonderful things that Jesus is doing. So let us be amazed! Let us be delighted! Let us give praise!’

sc- it sounds like a rip-roaring good time.

Following this time of praise and prayer the High Council settled down to continue its review of the Orders of Procedure, under the leadership of the Council President (Commissioner W. Todd Bassett) supported by the Vice-President (Commissioner Robin Dunster). One of the main issues was the clarifying of the procedures governing the establishing of the Questions Committee. This committee has the important task of preparing a long list of questions which each candidate for the office of General will have to answer. The Council felt strongly that the committee must, as far as possible, represent all the cultures and countries of the worldwide Salvation Army.

sc- represent them all? That is a difficult task (nearly as tough as the HOrizons outline for the next general- see our blog on that subject below).

The Council adjourned at 10.45 am to allow members time to travel to the Westminster Central Hall for rehearsals and lunch prior to the public meeting. The meeting was both a United Kingdom welcome to the High Council and a farewell salute to General John Larsson and Commissioner Freda Larsson.

sc- hmm. We didn't know that there was contact with the rest of teh world during the high council- I wonder if that is rare/unique.

Welcoming the council members to London, Commissioner Shaw Clifton (UK Territorial Commander) assured them of the prayers of Salvationists and friends throughout the territory – and the world. The meeting then unfolded into a kaleidoscope of Salvation Army internationalism and a celebration of Salvation Army worship in word, music and song.

In her testimony, Commissioner Freda Larsson traced the guidance of God in her life, thanking him for ‘the grace that enables us to meet every new challenge – now matter how unexpected that challenge might be’.

In his message to the capacity congregation, General Larsson also testified to the countless opportunities and blessings received over the years. ‘It all started,’ he said, ‘when, as a young man, I decided to say yes to God and to say yes to life – and to go on saying yes. And it is imperative that The Salvation Army - as one body and as individual members - goes on saying yes to God and yes to the sacred task he has called us to carry out’. Quoting words of Jesus, he concluded, ‘We must keep our hand on the plough. We must never turn back!’

sc- amen. Good advice for all of us toughing it out on our home fronts.

The High Council members returned to Sunbury Court renewed in spirit and thanking God for one more amazing day in his service.
____
grace
stephenC
posted by Stephen Court

metaphor clarification.

In the past I may have used the word 'metaphor' applied to The Army. I've used it in the same context with 'church', body, flock, bride, etc. in describing the people of God.

I've been reminded (hat tip: Anthony C) that metaphor isn't a great word for our use of Army because it suggests that The Army is like an Army, when those of us who call ourselves primitive salvationists know that The Army is an Army.

metaphor. n : a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity.

So, please understand that my use has not been a careful adherence to the meaning of the word.
grace
stephenC

vote (last exhortation)

Canadians, vote.

It is your responsibility, and privilege. And despite some arguments against, it is our opportunity to shape the country.

There are pro-morality candidates from each party. Find who it is in your riding.

Let's raise the age of consent, protect unborn babies, and restore the definition of marriage. Let's aim at pulling our weight internationally in bringing about justice for the oppressed. Let's pray that God's choices will be elected and then anointed for the responsibilities they will undertake.

grace
stephenc

Raising the Bar -The Next Generation
Taking a little diversion from the High Councils Play by Play...
As a mom to 5 kids my deepest desire is that my kids would be passionate followers of Jesus. I am not satisfied waiting to see them as militant warriors when they are in their late teens and early 20's - although I do want them to be that when they're that age. I also want to see them as zealots while they are still young children. I long for them to make a kingdom difference in the lives of their friends and school.
I don't think this is wishful thinking. I believe it is truly possible. After all what's Junior Soldiers about any way???
A familiar passage that often gets used on Mother's Day or Father's Day is Dueteronomy 6:6-7.
"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."
Since their birth, my husband and I have endeavored to live out this passage in our daily lives. We have taken it to be our responsibility to be the primary disciplers of our children. Fleshed out this means spending time daily reading the Word with them, worshipping and praying. Teaching them to listen to Jesus and recognize the work of the Holy Spirit. Showing them how to fight and use their authority to overcome the powers of darkness. Challenging them to tell their friends about Jesus.
Let me give you a few examples from our every day life.

Discipleship of the kids:
We spend time in the morning reading the Bible before the kids go off to school and then praying together - the kids pray - about the day. If they're having problems at school with friends we take this to Jesus. If there are kids that get in trouble a lot in their class we pray especially for them until the kids see a difference.
We also take time in the evening to read the Bible, pray and sometimes worship through singing, music and dance.

Listening to Jesus:
One of my sons was having a difficult time at school. People were teasing him and he didn't have a lot of friends. It was really a hard year. We prayed a lot about the situation but it seemed like nothing was changing. So... being a protective mother I asked him if he wanted to change schools at the end of the year. My son was quiet for a couple of minutes and then he replied, "You and dad prayed to see if I was to go to my school. Job went through a lot of hard times. He lost everything. Maybe God wants me to go through this. Like a testing and then he will restore things." I was shocked by the wisdom and his willingness to stay in a tough situation.
Then during the summer a lot of memories about the school year were causing emotional hurt in my son. Words and taunts would come that really stung. One night they were overwhelming and my son came crying into my room to talk about it. We took it to Jesus and asked Jesus what He thought of my son and the situation. Jesus gave him 2 visions. First there was this beautiful fruitful tree. Then there was a withered nasty looking bunch of trees. In the second vision D (nick name for my son) had a picture of a vegetable garden that was full of ripe veggies. Then there was a picture of a garden with rotten vegetables.
I then told D to ask Jesus what the pictures meant. Both pictures carried the same meaning. Jesus saw Derek as a fruitful tree or lush vegetable garden. If he received the words that the kids spoke over him it would destroy him like the withered fruit tree and rotten garden. The kids were giving him rotten fruit. He had a choice to eat it - believe what they said about him or receive the truth Jesus spoke about him. After he received the interpretation from Jesus I was stunned. He really was hearing the wisdom of God and not just his own thoughts. D rejected the words of the kids and prayed to really receive Jesus' thoughts concerning him.

Here's a final example of teaching the kids on the road...
Like most kids mine get bad dreams. Even in the middle of the night Ian and I take these times as opportunities to teach the kids how to call on Jesus for deliverance from the schemes of the enemy. We ask the kids what they dreamt about and try to talk about it a bit. Then we pray and ask Jesus to fill their minds with what is pure and lovely and excellent and praise worthy. We then rebuke the tormenting spirit in the name of Jesus. The "we" is the kid with the bad dream and if they need some help we do it with them.

George Barna, in his book "Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions," challenges us to raise the bar in what we expect spiritually from our children. (Great book for parents and those in youth ministry.) He urges us not to be satisfied with what we deem to be "good kids." It is not enough for our kids to be well behaved in the meeting or getting good grades or never getting into fights at school. He believes that our kids can be active agents for the kingdom of God in the home and at school. Their testimony and lives are powerful and able to bring a strong witness to the saving power of Jesus the Christ. I agree and say a loud "AMEN" !!!

The word of God states that "a little child shall lead them." Jesus even identifies this happening in the Temple when the kids are praising Him and the religious leaders are telling Him to make the kids stop. I long to see the kids lead more. I believe that they were created to carry out great spiritual exploits at an early age. I say let us as the people of God endeavor to train up and release the Junior Soldiers to carry out kingdom missions that are beyond what we could even ask or imagine.
Let the Junior Soldiers arise - Let us raise the bar for this next generation!

Don't look now...

but the new armybarmy.com page is up (with a few kinks still, but it is working).

Actually, yes, feel free to look now (and thanks for your patience).
grace
StephenC

January 22, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

We seem to have struck a chord with the CET- continental Europe territory.

For those jumping on board armybarmy blog for High Council intel, you may not have seen the essentials page (from C+B THQ, featuring The War College students): http://www1.salvationarmy.org/can/www_can.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/EB8EB031091556FF852570E5006D4315?openDocument

There is also a discussion board at IHQ just for High Council: http://www.salvationist.org/hc.nsf/vw_date?openview&start=1&count=500 . We've weighed in on officer kids at the High Council (feeling it an endorsement of The Salvation Army that so many officers are officer kids - they know the inside scoop and they STILL signed up), and on wider input into the High Council (preferring a territorial nomination over another delegate from each territory). Feel free to join the discussion there.

Remember that we're praying for another round-one election, this time, unanimous (and, f course, God's choice).

grace,
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

going for the one-day record...

Keen armybarmy blog readers might want to correct me on this (revolution@mmccxx.net) but I think that this blog might mark the one-day record for most blogs at armybarmy blog.

The O+R instructs us to keep up with the news. To that end, we've added a new resource (bottom right) of news and comment links (mostly blogs). This can be your one-stop centre for keeping up with the world...

Enjoy.

grace
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High Council images

How amazing is this? Photos of day one:

http://www.salvationist.org/hc.nsf/ac50ead826468f4180256c060035ca92/858fefa43172116b802570fd005e5850?OpenDocument

grace
stephenC

High Council and the life of our Movement.

"Frost and Hirsch note that organizational research finds definable stages in organizational life in relation to leadership. Young movements are full of prophets and visionaries, people with little vested interest in old forms and lots of energy for risk and experimentation. But as movements become organizations, the builders and synergists take over.. establishing relational connections, consolidating the group. The visionaries and questioners are marginalized. Next teachers and administrators standardize roles and functions and systematize a system of understanding and the builders and synergists are marginalized. As time passes the adminstrators rule, and as they manage the organization it shifts to maintenance mode. Finally, authority is encapsulated in an office and the bureaucrats rule with a rod of iron. Little change or growth is possible, and the organization dies. (This progression has been documented as far back as Niebuhr's "The Social Sources of Denominationalism.") (http://www.nextreformation.com/html/reviews/shaping-review.htm)

One disturbing question is 'how will a group of 'bureaucrats' pick any one except one of their own (no one outside of the high council has even been nominated)?' I mean, the most you might hope for, according to the above (assuming, for the sake of this blog, that it is airtight- I don't think it is), is to step back one stage, and find an administrator.

Why should the general be a great administrator (or a TC or a DC)? Why not an apostle or prophet or leader or visionary? That is why they have chief of the staff and chief secretary and DS, to run things.

But in the bureaucracy, the non-bureaucrats and non-administrators often get appointments on the fringe (the classic example is USE ambassador, which can be seen by the optimists as an attempt to include the visionaries, apostles, and prophets, and by the pessimists as something else).

Here's praying for an apostolic visionary leader.
grace
stephenC

European Inflation

There is a historic inflation of Europe in The Salvation Army. Back in the old days, trade secretaries and training principals in UK were commissioners. While this commissioner inflation has been corrected, Europe is still inflated in territories.

These are the continental European Territories, who leads them (Colonel or Commissioner), number of officers, number of corps, and number of senior soldiers:

Territory TC off. corps sr.soldiers
Denmark - col. 71 33 1,024
Eastern Europe - col. 115 60 2,542
Finland - col. 165 34 881
France - col. 185 28 921
Germany - col. 162 28 1,151
Netherlands - comm. 288 75 5,225
Norway - comm. 446 116 6,075
Sweden - comm. 450 168 5,926
Switzerland... - comm. 428 73 3,473

So, combined, we're looking at a pretty bleak situation: fewer than 30,000 soldiers in most of Europe, fighting from 804 corps under fewer than 2,300 officers. Do you think that these should be territories?

Do you think that we can usefully make continental Europe one territory with different countries becoming different divisions? Because these numbers above are, for the most part, division-size numbers.

Our territory has been consolidating divisions (from 16 to 10 at last count), and training campuses (from 3 to 1, plus small Quebec). It saves resources- money, yes, but also personnel.

Maybe the High Council and General's consultative conference preceding it are discussing such issues...

grace
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Trends

The new SA year book indicates a trend that suggests USE EAST might pass C+B in the next two years in number of senior soldiers (only partly due to USE's growth)

Note- don't worry, Canadians, no one is even close to us in adherents (longtime armybarmy fans will know my position on adherents- if not, check out our previous blog archive- top right, which will very shortly feature a search engine, I hope).
grace
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Veteran High Council delegates

So far as I can tell, Commissioners Paul duPlessis and Alex Hughes are at their fifth high council, a record.

grace
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High Council and Women

Kevin Sims (editor of ALL THE WORLD) note thatthe first 13 High Councils contained a total of just 22 women.

And this from the movement that is so pleased that we enjoy gender equality.

Tragic, really. Apologists will argue that there are 44 (of 103 total) female delegates at this High Council, a massive improvement.

I wonder. I mean, only Commissioners Dunster, Sutherland, MacMillan, Pearce, and Bond would qualify to be here a few high councils ago. Oh, and they are all single women!

The other 40 are here, not because of their appointment but their rank (HC used to be limited to Comms and TC of at least two years experience- full colonel. And, as you know, a decade ago, spouses of TC comms were unranked- Mrs. Commissioner - and thus they couldn't attend). And, of the four, only Dunster and MacMillan have a leadership command (the others- Principal, IS).

So, we've got two women at the High Council with a leadership command appointment.

Generations of rhetoric have killed the faith (in the system) of too many. It is time to change (I'm not saying that a married woman should become general NEXT WEEK, but how about giving them leadership command experience- most of you know many worthy possibilities).

Much grace
StephenC

High Council history

(hat tip: IHQ site, as usual)

1929 at Sunbury Court
Commissioner Edward Higgins elected on 13th February
1934 at Clapton Institute
Commander Evangeline Booth elected on 3rd September
1939 at Clapton Institute
Commissioner George Carpenter elected on 24th August
1946 at Sunbury Court
Commissioner Albert Orsborn elected on 9th May
1954 at Sunbury Court
Commissioner Wilfred Kitching elected on 11th May
1963 at Sunbury Court
Commissioner Frederick Coutts elected on 1st October
1969 at Sunbury Court
Commissioner Erik Wickberg elected on 23rd July
1974 at Sunbury Court
Commissioner Clarence Wiseman elected on 13th May
1977 at Sunbury Court
Commissioner Arnold Brown elected on 5th May
1981 at Sunbury Court
Commissioner Jarl Wahlström elected on 23rd October
1986 at Sunbury Court
Commissioner Eva Burrows elected on 2nd May
1993 at Sunbury Court
Commissioner Bramwell Tillsley elected on 28th April
1994 at Sunbury Court
Commissioner Paul Rader elected on 23rd July
1999 at Sunbury Court
Commissioner John Gowans elected on 15th May
2002 at Sunbury Court
Commissioner John Larsson elected on 6th September
____
grace
stephenC

January 21, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

High Council update (with my comment)
____
21 January 2006 09:30 AM GMT
High Council Diary - Day 1

During the opening procedures of the 2006 High Council, the Chief of the Staff (Commissioner Israel L. Gaither) placed the occasion firmly in the context of the world as it is today. Quoting from the Book of Esther he emphasised that the Army needs leadership equipped by God to face the challenges of ‘such times as this’. Then, quoting from the Acts of the Apostles, the Chief underlined the promise that this High Council, like its 15 predecessors and the early apostles,

sc- nice touch, in setting the High Council in there with the High Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15 is my guess).

would look for guidance to ‘the Lord who knows all hearts’.

sc- So the Chief sets the stage beautifully for God to do what he wants in the coming days.

The gathered leaders affirmed their commitment to that promise as they prayerfully sang song 614 from the Army’s song book, ‘Master, speak: thy servant heareth, waiting for thy gracious word.’

sc- SASB614? The numerologists at our corps could have fun with that one.

The Chief then led the opening procedures to their conclusion in the election of the Council President (Commissioner W. Todd Bassett) and Vice-President (Commissioner Robin Dunster).

sc- we covered that yesterday (the election of those two positions).

Following an adjournment the council resembled in mid-afternoon and under the leadership of the President elected a Chaplain to the Council (Commissioner Alex Hughes) and appointed a Correspondence Officer (Commissioner Hope Mungate) and a Media and Liaison Officer (Colonel Michael Marvell).

sc- Hughes and his wife are the first Corps Officers in the High Council in history (63). Marvell is TC in Denmark (60).

Then began the important process of studying the Orders of Procedure that govern all the proceedings of the High Council. The Army’s Legal and Parliamentary Secretary, Major Peter Smith, was on hand to answer any legal queries that might arise.

sc- It is interesting to hear who else gets to sneak into High Council (recorder, translators, legal secretaries, etc.).

The preamble to the Orders of Procedure clearly states the purpose of this milestone event in the ongoing history of The Salvation Army. It begins: ‘The 16th High Council is convened to elect the 18th General of The Salvation Army.’ And it continues: ‘Every available means is used in this spiritual exercise to discern God’s choice for the leadership of the Movement. Such means will include worship, prayer, Bible study, meditation, reflection, informal conversation, formal discussion, debate, and listening to presentations.’

sc- that is a busy agenda for one week.

As the council members retired for the day, the words of an earlier General, Albert Orsborn, which they had sung at the beginning of the day, were still echoing in their hearts and minds.

Own us thy people still,
Seal us within thy will,
And in thy holy place
Stablish our place.
Michael Marvell, Colonel
Media and Liaison Officer
20 January 2006

sc- God, help them all hear. Amen.
____
grace
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posted by Stephen Court

Sabateurs.

In a review by Rich Lowry (nationalreview.com) of John Lewis Gaddis's book, The Cold War: A New History, Lowry highlights a line from Gaddis: . “It took visionaries — saboteurs of the status quo — to widen the range of historical possibility.”

This is what one thing we need in our Army- sabateurs of the status quo / visionaries, to widen the range of historical possibility.

Bring them on (no silver trim required).

grace
stephenC

High Council update

This HC can been called the multiculti council for its wide representation: http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki%5Cwww_uki.nsf/vw-issue/C48D0D88B240C8BE802570F5003ED075?opendocument&id=751BC1E31990FAD2802570F5003C9AE8
grace
stephenC

new year book!

I've been blessed with the brand new year book (see below blog, hat tip DB). There are some nice features, a few of which I'd like to highlight.

- Some majors are included in the appendix of senior active offiers (DCs and so on) for the first time in history (to my knowledge). I am guessing this is due to the increased raritiy of Lieutenant-Colonel.
- it promotes what is probably The Army's best-kept secret- ALL THE WORLD, which is now available online for free at salvationarmy.org/alltheworld. Check it out.
- it notes that there are online books available, including Yuill- WE NEED SAINTS, Coutts- THE DOCTRINE OF HOLINESS, Larsson- SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH, Needham- COMMUNITY IN MISSION, Dean- THE FAITH WE DECLARE, and more: salvationarmy.org.uk
- In ALL THE WORLD, General Larsson proclaims that, "As (Salvationists) proclaim that now is the time for wrongs to be righted, and now is the time for lives to be changed, and now is the time to make this world a better place, they see confirmed again and again that the greatest force for change in this world is the good news of Jesus Christ." Hallelujah.
- And, for some reason, there is a full colour glossy photo of Brad Pitt! I guess he was visiting some SA orphans (no indication if he got saved or if he is a soldier or...).
- in it you will learn that the new Kenya Territory (it multiplied last year, as Uganda went solo) is stil by far the largest territory in the world (173,234 senior soldiers) and that is has even more junior soldiers (175,445) than all six Indian territories.
- General Larsson wrote, "I can think of no better prayer guide for those who love God and The Army. Use it in your headquarters, in your corps, and in your home to direct your praying."
(And I'm not even getting a cut!)
Much grace
stephenC

January 20, 2006.

Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

The High Council has begun. We intend to be your High Council headquarters for a blow-by-blow account of proceedings. Stay tuned.

On the first day, Commissioner Robin Dunster (TC Phil) was elected Vice President and Commissioner Todd Bassett (NC US) was elected president.

Bassett is the next in a tradition of USA NCs chosen as president of HC. He is 66. Dunster, an Australian who has led The Army in Congo (Kin) (she's 62).

His age suggests some significant changes in leadership of USA (new NC and new USS TC...). Normally the president is not elected General.

Much grace
stephenc
posted by Stephen Court

____
Vote Marriage Canada announces endorsements
Here's the text of the news release:
Vote Marriage Canada announces fifty pro-marriage candidates in the Prairie Provinces and the N.W.T.

EDMONTON, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - Former Leader of the Opposition the Honourable Grant Hill, P.C. announced, today, some fifty pro-marriage candidates across the Prairies, including former NDP and, now, Independent Member of Parliament Bev Desjarlais.
Dr. Hill also announced the endorsement of a candidate in the
Northwest Territories.
Said Dr. Grant Hill, "On behalf of Vote Marriage Canada, I am announcing our endorsement of pro-marriage candidates across the Prairies.
In Alberta,Vote Marriage Canada endorses Deepak Obhrai, M.P. of Calgary East, Art Hanger,M.P. of Calgary Northeast, Diane Ablonczy, M.P. of Calgary-Nose Hill, Jason Kenney, M.P. of Calgary Southeast, the Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P. of Calgary Southwest, Rob Anders, M.P. of Calgary West, Kevin Sorenson, M.P. of Crowfoot, Laurie Hawn of Edmonton Centre, Peter Goldring, M.P. of Edmonton
East, James Rajotte, M.P. of Edmonton-Leduc, Mike Lake of Edmonton-Mill Woods- Beaumont, Ken Epp, M.P. of Edmonton-Sherwood Park, Rona Ambrose, M.P. of Edmonton-Spruce Grove, John Williams, M.P. of Edmonton-St. Albert, Rahim Jaffer, M.P. of Edmonton-Strathcona, Brian Jean, M.P. of Fort McMurray-
Athabasca, Rick Casson, M.P. of Lethbridge, Monte Solberg, M.P. of Medicine Hat, Chris Warkentin of Peace River, Bob Mills, M.P. of Red Deer, Leon Benoit, M.P. of Vegreville-Wainwright, Myron Thompson, M.P. of Wild Rose, and Rob Merrifield, M.P. of Yellowhead.
In Saskatchewan, Gerry Ritz, M.P. of Battlefords-Lloydminster, Lynne Yelich, M.P. of Blackstrap, David Anderson, M.P. of Cypress Hills-Grasslands, Jeremy Harrison, M.P. of Desnethé--Missinippi--Churchill River, Dave Batters, M.P. of Palliser, Brian
Fitzpatrick, M.P. of Prince Albert, Tom Lukiwski, M.P. of Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre, Andrew Scheer, M.P. of Regina-Qu'Appelle, Brad Trost, M.P. of Saskatoon-Humboldt, Carol Skelton, M.P. of Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, Maurice
Vellacott, M.P. of Saskatoon-Wanuskewin, Ed Komarnicki, M.P. of Souris-Moose Mountain, Brad Farquhar of Wascana, and Garry Breitkreuz, M.P. of Yorkton-Melville are endorsed by Vote Marriage Canada.
In Manitoba, the Vote Marriage Canada endorsement goes to Merv Tweed of Brandon-Souris, Steven Fletcher, M.P. of Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia, Bev Desjarlais, M.P. of Churchill, Inky Mark, M.P. of Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette, Linda West of Elmwood-Transcona, Joy Smith, M.P. of Kildonan-St. Paul, Brian Pallister, M.P. of Portage-Lisgar, Vic Toews, M.P. of Provencher, James Bezan, M.P. of Selkirk-Interlake, Helen Sterzer of Winnipeg Centre, and Rod Bruinooge of Winnipeg South.
In addition to these, I announce Vote Marriage Canada's endorsement of Richard Edjericon of Western Arctic.
Each candidate we endorse has taken a stand and given clear indication of supporting marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman in the next Parliament. Each Member of Parliament endorsed voted against Bill C-38 and opposed the change in the legal definition of marriage in the last Parliament. Each candidate we endorse has taken a stand and given clear indication of supporting marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman in the next Parliament."
Vote Marriage Canada is carrying on a non-partisan, national campaign calling on the next Parliament to restore and to promote marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman.
With B.C. Co-Chair Reed Elley, Atlantic Co-Chair Elsie Wayne, and Quebec Co-Chair Louis DeSerres, National Co-Chairs the Hon. Grant Hill, P.C., and Pat O'Brien, M.P., are calling on Parliament to recognize that marriage as the union of one man and one woman is the foundation of families and Canadian society.
For further information: Grant Hill, (403) 608-6014.
© 2005 CNW Group Ltd.
____
grace
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January 19, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

4mycanada.ca is your spot for pro-morality candidates and campaigning in the Canadian federal election.

Meanwhile, the High Council is about to kick off.

Stay tuned here for news updates as available (on high council- it is entirely dependent on news releases, which came out a couple of HCs ago better than last time).

Much grace,
StephenC

2006 Year Book

The brand new SA Year Book was graciously given to me tonight (hat tip Doug B).

We're excited to read an article called The Virtual Army that mentions armybarmy.com as leader in the field. Props to Captain Curtis Cartmell (with a nod to Rob M and the proto-WL site) for starting it all off! And thanks to the faithfully consistent Major Don Grad for building up the readership.

Hallelujah.

Oh, and it gives mention to Journal of Aggressive Christianity as the first and only SA cyberjournal. The next issue comes out February 1.

Praise God.

grace
stephenC

Thrift Week

I'm surprised our stores haven't caught up with this but back in the 1920s America honoured Benjamin Franklin's birthday, January 17 (300 years ago), with THRIFT WEEK (weeklystandard.com).

Now, there's a word foreign to our society. Thrift comes from thrive. For Benjamin, thrift was operationalized by industry and frugality.

According to Franklin, "The noblest question in the world is, What good may I do in it?"

A fine question for a salvo. I've been blessed to proof some submissions for the imminent edition of JAC (top right) and there are some juicy suggestions for what good you may do in the world. Stay tuned (JAC comes out February 1).

Much grace
SeC

HIgh Council (again)

IHQ site has loads of info for those interested.

http://www.salvationist.org/hc.nsf/vw_features/D25FF6D75493C6BB80256C0D004BD8EB?opendocument runs down the years and the elections;
http://www.salvationist.org/hc.nsf/vw_features/20A349AD1827149E80256C0F004831B1?opendocument gives a history with some interesting trivia (it looks like a few will attand a record fifth high council this week (duPlessis, Hughes, Larsson);
http://www.salvationist.org/hc.nsf/vw_features/421106396C01596580256C1C00581303?opendocument offers some prayer directives and some interesting information.

There are other sites that detail the process of this week's gathering.

grace
stephenC

January 18, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

I stumbled upon this old article online that I'd written back in the Williams Lake era for a local newspaper (back in the day I used to have a column in a couple of newspapers). I thought it might help us lift our eyes off of ourselves:
Power of Belonging

ONE OF the key drives inside each of us is the need to belong. Whether it is the look on the last kid chosen in recess games, forlorn for not fitting in, or the humourous clannish dressing of teens, determined to do whatever it takes to fit in, our society shouts out the importance of belonging.

It certainly doesn't end with graduation. It often graduates from clothing to cars, from favourite TV show to favourite bar.

We are not islands. We are created for fellowship. It is in our DNA. Like Jerry McGuire finally concluding to his wise estranged wife: "You complete me," we are all in search of the missing piece to the puzzle that is our life.

A great philosopher from France was no exception. His search ended with this conclusion: Every person has a God-shaped vacuum that only God can fill.

We will still struggle to belong. We will join clubs and teams and associations. We will continue to interact with each other in attempts to intermesh. We will find some solace in these human relationships, especially those that last until the grave.

But if that is the extent of our search, we will have passed over the missing piece, the part that completes us. We have been invited to belong in the family of God, to become a part of a network of love-relationships that last throughout eternity. It is the realisation of our purpose, the 'more than' accomplishment of our dreams.

We can belong.

How? Sign the adoption papers. They are certified by the blood of Jesus, shed on the Cross so that our sins, those things that are inconsistent with membership in the family, can be forgiven. Then trust Jesus forever. Follow Him. He's headed to a Home He's fixing up just for you.
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grace
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posted by Stephen Court

50 most Influential Christians in America

So, the top 50 most influential Christians in America have been listed: http://www.thechurchreport.com/content/view/823/32/

I'm not surprised that I haven't heard of 12 of them and of the other 38 I've got more than name recognition with only 20.

I didn't realize I'm so far out of the loop.

I wonder how many others would be on heaven's top 50? (I think we'd add some intercessors).

There were no salvos.
grace
stephenC

How You Know You're Involved in Our Community...

The other night the NDP Federal representative for our neighbourhood, Libby Davies, knocked on our door. As always happens in our house when someone knocks, everyone (children included) yelled, "Come in!"

There was silence. Then another knock. "Come in!"

Then we heard a voice from behind the door: "Um...it's Libby Davies."

My wife went to the door and chatted with her briefly (election plug), then came back to the living room. Turns out the one sure-fire way we know if someone knows us and is part of our community is that they pretty much knock on our door and then walk in. Sometimes that gets a bit weird, but generally it is a very cool expression about transparency and trust and being made to feel comfortable.

So please, come on in.

Grace,

Aaron

Faith Today

The leaders of the four major political parties were invited to weigh in on the question,
“What role do you think faith should play in developing public policy, and what is the place of religious institutions in contemporary Canadian society?”

Their responses are instructive to those voting: http://www.faithtoday.ca/article_viewer.asp?Article_ID=189

The Bloc understands religion to be personal and so does not answer the question. The Liberal leader gives us a list of religious leaders and holy days he has met and experienced in the multicultural society he wants to cultivate. The Conservative leader argues for a religious voice in the public square, particularly regarding morals and justice. And the New Demostratic leaders (the deputy also weighed in- he is a minister) argue for a prophetic role for Christians and other faiths in the public realm (and they dropped a bit of Micah 6:8 in there).

Much grace
StephenC

January 17, 2006.

Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

I'm excited by today's announcement of the official launch of primitivesalvationist.com out of the States. Check it out, tell your friends, bookmark.

Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

filling in the GAP
(remember that this latest blog is at the top- scroll down for preceding blogs)

I mentioned the abortion rate in NYC. Here is more info (hat tip Jame Taranto- opinionjournal.com):
____
"For every 100 babies born in New York City, women had 74 abortions in 2004, according to newly released figures that reaffirm the city as the abortion capital of the country," reports the Daily News:

"The new Vital Statistics report released by the city Department of Health this month shows there were 124,100 live births, 11,700 spontaneous abortions and 91,700 induced abortions in the city in 2004.

"That means 40 out of 100 pregnancies in the city ended in a planned abortion--almost double the national average of 24 of 100 pregnancies in 2002, estimated by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a Manhattan-based nonprofit group that researches reproductive health issues.

"Some women come from out of town to abort their children, but such termination tourism accounted for only 7% of 2004's abortions. By and large, it seems this is a matter of the city depopulating its future self.
____
grace
stephenC

Incendiary Session

I mentioned earlier that The War College announced sessional names for the next two sessions. A year and a half from now the Incendiary Session starts.

The dictionary defines ‘incendiary’ as follows:
1. used or adapted for setting property on fire;
2. of arson;
3. tending to arouse strife, sedition;
4. a person who commits arson;
5. a device that burns with an intense heat;
6. a person who stirs up strife.

That defines what we want to train students to be, fairly well. We want them to be used to set territory on fire (1), to start and spread fires (2,4). We want them to arouse sedition, or, rebellion against the government of satan (3,6). We want them to burn with an intense heat (5).

Any takers? (or, come start the REVOLUTION session this September 10)
grace,
stephenC

fighting for rights in the public square

Over 100 statutes in England give a named exemption to marches organized by The Army (from WHO ARE THESE SALVATIONISTS? by Clifton).

nice.
grace
stephenc

The War College Sessional Names Announced

On the eve of the General's last Consultative Conference, just leading in to the High Council, The War College has announced the next two sessional names:

2006-2007- Revolution Session
2007-2008- Incendiary Session

It is not too late to apply for either of these sessions. Please visit thewarcollege.com for details.

God bless The Salvation Army.

Much grace,
Stephen Court

covenant definition

Les Burrows informally defined covenant to me in conversation as 'a contract without loopholes'.

grace
stephenc

January 16, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Further evidence of the missionally-focussed big tent that is our definition of The Salvation Army (revolutionary movement of covenanted warriors exercising holy passion to win the world for Jesus) is the recent newsletter/prayer letter from the newest emergent community in our territory (hat tip Clint) which kicks off with this declaration:

"In Booth style (doing whatever is necessary & works) we’re trying to walk out chapter 10, section 1, pt 3 of the Sally Ann’s Orders & Regulations for soldiers “he (the soldier) must ever remember that God’s main purpose for the Army is the winning of sinners who are away from God and out of touch with the churches.” As Stan Lee of Marvel Comics & often says in Spiderman, “’Nuff said!”

It is a big tent. But it isn't watered down to mean nothing. It emphasizes revolution, covenant, war, holiness, and world-winning. Are you in?

Don't forget to tell your friends to visit here daily, to read the archives (top right) and to plunge into JAC (top right).

hbRM

Grace
sec
posted by Stephen Court

The Shaping Of Things To Come

Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch wrote the book that has set the Christian world abuzz.

Here are reviews of the book:
http://www.facingthechallenge.org/hirsch.htm
http://www.nextreformation.com/html/reviews/shaping-review.htm

They are on about revolution. They distinguish between what is common now and what is to come:

attractional v. missional;
sc- our corps would fit the description of missional here, lacking even a public meeting to which to attract people;

dualistic v. messianic
sc- I suspect we'd fit the messianic side, forced, if by nothing more than system, to find the sacred in all aspects of life;

hierarchical v. apostolic
sc- I don't know. I've not even read the book- just the reviews. I think I buy the charismatic understanding of the Ephesians 4 offices and the hierarchy they suggest (that is apparently different from the traditional hierarchy against which they argue) ahead of a egalitarian version of apostles (as innovator), prophets (as questioners), and so on.

Anyway, if you lack time or opportunity to read the book, give the reviews a look.
grace
stephenc

abortion

From Lopez at the corner (corner.nationalreview.com): "The Abortion Capital" certainly seems appropriate. That Daily News piece notes: "That means 40 out of 100 pregnancies in the city ended in a planned abortion - almost double the national average of 24 of 100 pregnancies in 2002, estimated by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a Manhattan-based nonprofit group that researches reproductive health issues."
____
Yikes.
grace
sec

polygamy

You may have noted the recent study recommending that polygamy be decriminalized.

Mark Steyn wrote about this subject in 2004 and predicts that multiculturalism will be the culprit guilty of opening the door (see steynonline.com):

____
"If the push for polygamy came from the white male elders of that breakaway Mormon sect in Bountiful, B.C., it'd be dead in the water: all you'd get from The Globe and the CBC and Maclean's would be a lot of stories about the abuse rumours, and shots of stern Old Testament patriarchs, and comments from various Grits and NDPers about how this is not compatible with "our Canadian values." If you're one of Bountiful's nubile nymphettes and you make it across the town line, you can write your own ticket on The National; they'll put you down for one of those major multi-part documentaries that takes up 52 minutes of the show for an entire week.

"But, if it's not horny, stump-toothed white guys from the backwoods, what's the betting then? Once it gets all multicultural, the media back away from the in-depth investigations, happy to take the spokespersons for the relevant lobby groups at their word. If it's a Muslim who finally makes it to the Supreme Court of Canada with a polygamy case, I'd reckon their lordships will rule that forbidding it is an unwarranted restriction of charter rights. And I'd wager a few of those justices will be happy to license polygamy if only to prove that their demolition job on "traditional marriage" was legally grounded rather than mere modish solidarity."
____
That's another reason why the election is important.
grace
sec

Homage to Catalonia...

George Orwell wrote a book in 1938 called "Homage to Catalonia" about his experiences fighting against the Fascists in the Spanish "Revolutionary" War prior to WWII. It is a fascinating look at warfare, but even more so about revolution.

One of the more striking commentaries by Orwell is about the lack of equipment for the soldiers at the front, where he was serving. His description of the ancient rifles which jammed every 5 shots, precious few machine guns, the grenades which were just as likely to blow up in your hand as in the enemy's trench, the boots which fell apart after 3 months, and the near total lack of training for the frontline soldiers makes one wonder how they accomplished anything at all.

Orwell makes the point that it was only revolutionary passion that kept the soldiers on the line, mixed with a desperation to defeat the enemy.

But when he went on leave to Barcelona, the supposed heart of the Revolution, he found Civil Guards armed to the teeth with modern weapons, fully trained soldiers from the School of War, food and luxuries to spare, and sharp uniforms. He felt, as did the rest of the soldiers from the frontlines, dirty and ill-equipped and looked down-upon in the presence of these soldiers.

The thing is, these soldiers were never going to see action at the front. They were there as political tools to maintain the status quo at home. Their weapons and training could have been well-used at the front in the actual prosecution of the war, but the factional fighting amongst the revolutionary parties and the interests of politicians (beholden to international power players) were enough to prevent those weapons from being used on anything but their own soldiers. It killed morale, and kept soldiers from the front.

As I read this account, I was struck by some of the similarities in our present situation. We have people being trained up and equipped to the hilt but not released to the actual fight. I'm not talking exclusively about urban settings here. I'm talking about people who have received a lifetime of bible training, discipleship, and every type of social opportunity, who are then being used primarily to serve in a primarily Christian context.

An example: A Corps I was at had teens who had been discipled since birth in all the approved Salvation Army programs. So I figured they were trained and equipped to hit the frontlines, to reach people for Jesus. I started using them to build community with street teens, those involved in the club culture, and kids from their own schools. The Corps leaders freaked out. Too dangerous for the kids, they weren't ready, let's let them run Corps Cadets Sundays instead.

How many trained soldiers are serving Christian culture - and fighting other soldiers - instead of actually fighting for the revolution? What are you doing with the training you have received?

Grace,

Aaron

January 15, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

The high council starts this week. Many around the world are praying. Last HC saw a first ballot decision. That's great. Though less juicy, we'd love to have a unanimous first ballot decision.

Many are discussing what we need from the next general. Many War College students weighed in last month and our THQ website has posted some of their recommendations (hat tip Geoff M!). You can read them at

http://www1.salvationarmy.org/can/www_can.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/EB8EB031091556FF852570E5006D4315?openDocument

HORIZONS (see yesterday's blog below) also weighed in with a thoughtful analysis by Major Geoff Ryan. He expects a lot from the next General and advises a long term during which to accomplish it (I agree- and I'm not uptight about people retiring at 65 or 68- let the next one go to 75 to 78). Among other things, he'd like to see the General (and all other commanders down the pyramid) take leadership of a corps. I agree, as we advocate everything possible to be corps-based (e.g. The War College is based in our corps).

Ryan wants the General to decide what we are as a Salvation Army. He mentions often contradictory ideas such as pentecostalism, syncretistic spiritualism, rationalistic liberalism, and holiness movement conservatism as having varied amounts of influence in this equation. I find myself supporting a blend of 'revisionist history' of proto-pentecostalism and holiness movement conservatism we call primitive salvationism (charistmaitc-flavoured, mission-focussed heroism).

A definition is advised. I've already proposed a definition of who we are as The Salvation Army: a revolutionary movement of covenanted warriors exercising holy passion to win the world for Jesus. We're finding that this is broad enough to include the trads, the primsalvos, the emergents, the church growths, and the front-line social specialists. You are welcome to buy in, as well.

The article ends with these appointment requirements: "A General with a razor-sharp intellect formed by disciplined reading and study of philosophy, theology, politics, economics, and science; a natural leader who understands how to motivate and inspire people; a visionary who can think strategically and who understands organization theory and the zeitgeist of post-modernism; a person rooted in the experience and understanding of the Wesleyan tradition, who knows exactly who they are and what our story is; a thinker with a deep knowledge and, if possible, personal experience of the languages, cultures, religious laws and customs of Islam; a tough-minded but tender-hearted follower of Jesus with a burning concern for the excluded and marginalized of the world, who would be a shepherd to those sheep who have no shepherd."

He forgot to add, 'and can leap tall buildings in a single bound' (in other words, I'm not sure I buy that all of these are necessary or realistic).

I suspect you might be able to fill these conditions with a composite of generals throughout history! The razor-sharp intellect of Wickberg, the natural leadership of Brown, the self-certainty of Higgins, the visionary strategy of Evangeline, the organizational understanding of Bramwell, the Wesleyan sensibilities of Wiseman, the developing culture experience of Burrows, the burning concern of Carpenter, the tough-mindedness of Kitching, and the shepherding of Orsborn should satisfy the requirements.

But who on earth can do it today, by herself/himself? God fills in the blanks.

God bless The Salvation Army.
God bless The High Council.
God bless the next General.

grace
stephenc
posted by Stephen Court

Under the Horizon(s)

I just got through the new, provocative issue of HORIZONS and found myself not matching up. The theme is dangerous ideas, and I find myself holding to most of them (I agree with lots that the writers have to say within the articles, and encourage you to buy the issue to read those parts for yourself).

(HDI*) Faith Healing. I'm into it. There is an O+R on faith healing. Booth wrote about it. Cadman experienced a lot of it. The intention of healing through New Testament was to see people saved. No, I don't see it nearly as consistently as I want to see it. But I'm in danger.

counter-danger- I see the counter-danger is that we stop trying to see people healed and that we spiritualize the healing that God delights to download in our lives (part of Luke 12:32).

(HDI) Apocalyptic Theology. I'm not attached to the straw man erected (LaHaye- I read only one of the books- someone in my corps called the series 'pretty good fiction') but I'm into end-times victory from Revelation 7. I'm into the SA mission to win the world for Jesus. I'm in danger.

counter-danger- I see the counter-danger is to water down eschatology to address exclusively smaller things such as 'birth and death of cultures and civilizations' and so on (you need to read the issue for the inside scoop).

(HDI) Religion and Politics. I'm in favour of religion in the public square. I believe Christians should actively aim to improve life by improving laws (and what does this mean, in the article? "Jesus' own family history, including the circumstances surrounding His conception, are rather questionable.").

counter-danger- I see the counter-danger is to privatize our spirituality and let the world 'go to hell in a hand basket'.

(HDI) Israel. I'm into Israel. I don't see an end to the covenant of the land that God made with Israel. I'm in danger.

counter-danger- holocaust.

(HDI) Prosperity. Here, I am not in danger.

other dangerous ideas (according to me!)- Christian fatalism: if God wants it to happen, it will happen;
liberal theology: tends to lack of faith and corresponding lack of success; perseverance of the saints: that we can't lose our salvation;
inevitability of sin: that we all have to sin every day;
antinomianism: overdose of 'grace'. (now, it may be that many feel that THEY are in danger of of some of these 'dangerous ideas'- revolution@mmccxx.net).

It seems that those things here that put me in danger are some of the notable characteristics of our corps. We're considered charismatic (faith healing), into winning the world (eschatology), involved in justice issues (religion and politics), and supportive of the Jews (Israel). Hmm.

To SOME extent these are all dangerous if they play too large a priority in our lives. We all need to prioritize according to God's priorities.

Thanks to the editor for stirring it up! :-)

grace
stephenC
* HDI= Dangerous Ideas according to Horizons.

Im getting blessed up at Roots South 06, it is awesome to see God on the move. My only issue is my welcome, I have been stared at with distain, questioned, harrased and felt like a lepor, the reason ... I came in uniform. Out of 500 delagates only one was in uniform, just me. The interesting thing is that I used to go to church wearing old grubby ripped clothes, chains hanging from all over, and a foot high mohawk, I recieved some wierd looks but none as harsh as wearing my uniform at Roots.
Props to Birmingham 614, their guys didnt have the 300.00 cash for a uni, so they just wrote " Its Jesus or Hell" on the back of their jackets. They got stared at too. God bless em. God bless The Salvation Army.

Rob Dolby

Ps, Tomorrow is Sunday service and the Commish is preaching, if I could bet, id say everybody in the place will be in uniform, except me and the guys with Jesus or Hell on their backs.

January 14, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
Human Trafficking

The USA just signed a Trafficking Victims Protection act into being this week, taking a major step towards justice in this area that The Army has targetted internationally.

I don't know how much this is a result of SA influence but praise God for advance.

Much grace,
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

High Council, part n

Here is the site keen Salvos want to check for the delegates to the 2006 High Council:
http://www.salvationist.org/hc.nsf/vw_features/0DC7E34331FA8568802570CF005FCA19?opendocument

grace
sec

Alarm?

Occasionally people leave The Army. It is usually a sad thing all around, and sometimes people grieve beacuse the speculate that dismissals and early retirements and desertions mark the demise of the movement.

But, sad as these can be, history has proven one thing, that The Army is bigger than any of us (You'd like to think so). It is bigger than Gypsy and Wigglesworth and Herbert and Ballington and Catherine Jr. and Sydney and so on.

Things keep rolling. So, those considering recent losses please embrace a larger, longer perspective.

We shall will if we fight in the strength of the King.
grace,
sec

proto-emergent hymn

'Mid All The Traffic was sung this week at a meeting I attended and I was struck by how the words were so trendy. It is generations old, but the sacred space and mystic grace were as current as tomorrow.
I'd give you the words but the SASB copyright (it is not a SA original) won't allow it (SASB 615- UK version).
grace
stephenC

Day of Wonders

Here is one of Lawley's keepers:
1.
Give us a day of wonders,
Jehovah, bare thine arm;
Pour out thy Holy Spirit,
Make known thy healing balm;
Give blessings without number,
Supply us from thy store;
Dear Saviour, richly bless us,
Baptize us more and more.

Chorus
Lord, hear us while we pray!
Lord, hear us while we pray!
Now thy Spirit give, let the dying live,
And bless us here today.

2.
We offer thee this temple.
With power, Lord, enter in
And teach us when we worship
Or wage the war with sin.
O may the sinner find thee
Within these hallowed walls,
Here may young, eager spirits
Obey when Jesus calls!

3.
Give courage for the battle,
Give strength thy foes to slay;
Give light to cheer the darkness,
Give grace from day to day;
Give rest amidst life's conflict,
Give peace when lions roar;
Give faith to fight with patience
Till fighting days are o'er.

John Lawley (1859-1922)
___
God, grant it.
grace
stephenc

retired officers?

General Gowans introduced some changes to officership in his term as international leader of The Salvation Army. One of them was that officers below the rank of General would no longer, ever, retire. Instead, they'd become reserve officers. What that means is that there are only a handful of retired officers in the whole world, all retried generals.

And, yet, you'd think I was the only one that read that order from the general. No one uses the term 'reserve' and EVERYONE uses the term 'retired'. Even the official statistics of The Army (Yearbook) use it.

What is this world coming to?

Grace,
sec

January 13, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

The Canadian federal election is coming up, and Denise K spotted me this quote by Commissioner John Lawley (WB's singer at evangelistic campaigns and writer of classic hits such as 'Lord, hear us while we pray...'; 'Sing it again, Lawley' was the Founder's oft-heard prayer-meeting remark) during an early war-fighting foray into the British colony:

"What a mercy it is that The Salvation Army is in at the foundation of such a nation as this is destinied to be! May God help us to put in the foundations of righteousness, and the, building upon the same, Canada shall, indeed be exalted to heaven and a praise in the earth."

Let's keep that in mind on the 23rd as we vote for pro-morality candidates (of any stripe) who are pro-life, up for raising he age of consent from 14-16, and supportive of traditional marriage.

grace
stephenc
posted by Stephen Court

I love the simplicity and goodness of the Lord.
Over the last month it's been heavy fighting for a few of us on the London front. At times it's like we're in a storm - quite overwhelming.
We had our weekly knee drill last night at the Centre of Hope, a Salvation Army shelter in London. We were engrossed in some deep, meaningful, contemplative worship of the Soveriegn of the universe. We were expounding His attributes and listening keenlying longing to be led by His Spirit. Then during a quiet hush a new guy pipes in with, "Can we sing "I've go the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart"?"
It was definitely not appropriate to the moment. It did not seem to be in order. But we sang it. And as we sang it a light went on for me. I've got this joy down in my heart to stay. It is not fleeting. It is mine to have in the midst of trials. It really was a word for all of us assembled there. His joy is our strength. The enemy loves to rob us of this but it is a gift to us from the Lord.
We could have missed the simple profound message because it didn't come from a nice neat package of a person. It didn't even seem to fit in to what was taking place but it definitely was the Lord giving a reminder to his kids. He says joy is part of our inheritance. Enjoy it!
Shabbat Shalom
Elaine Gillingham

Awakenings...
I was recently reading "The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr". I was stirred as I read of his struggle on speaking out concerning the Vietnam "conflict".
"So often I had castigated those who by SILENCE or INACTION condoned and thereby cooperated with the evils of racial injustice. Had I not, again and again , said that the silent onlooker must bear the responsibility for the brutalities committed by the Bull Connors, or by the murderers of the innocent children in a Birmingham church?
Had I not committed myself to the principle that looking away from evil is, in effect, a condoning of it? Those who lynch, pull the trigger, point the cattle prod, or open fire hoses act in the name of the silent. I had to therefore speak out if I was to erase my name from the bombs which fall over North or South Vietnam, from the canisters of napalm. The time had come - indeed it was past due - when I had to disavow and disconnect myself from those who in the name of peace burn, maim and kill." ( p. 355)
King realized that his position regarding Vietnam was not popular at that point of time. He counted the cost of speaking up and protesting the war. It would mean a loss of the financial and popular support that he had enjoyed up to that point of time. He also believed that his inaction or silence was a sign of condoning what he saw as an evil.
As I read of his conviction and subsequent action I was pricked, shaken and challenged. What injustices have I condoned by my silence and inaction? What injustices have we as the body of Christ condoned because of our corporate silence and inaction?
These are loaded questions. I know that there are injustices and abominations which take place in my back yard that I have not risen up to attack and over throw just by raising my voice.
Reading about King's life caused me to reflect on my time in the down town eastside of Vancouver and how I was silent about a number of things because I didn't know where on earth to raise my voice (except to heaven). There were the landlords charging visitors $10 to go up to a resident's room. Their intent was to take a cut for the drug deals and prostitution they housed. There was the needle exchange, the NAIOMI project, the methodone clinics and other tenticles of the political harm reduction model which offered a bandage solutuion to a social problem whose carotid artery was severed. There were the countless adults who had grown up in a foster care system that exposed them to a variety of forms of abuse leaving them crippled emotionally and socially. There are the abortions that take place on a daily basis. I could go on... Talk about overwhelming.
I'm challenged to find my voice and to cry out and make a difference in my generation one issue or battle at a time.
SO how do we find our voice and take action?
One way is being an active participant in choosing our government. In the upcoming week we as Canadians have an opportunity to raise our voice and cast a ballot. It's time for the church to awaken and speak out for righteousness. We need to become informed politically and raise our voice in support of those who stand for righteousness and oppose those whose agendas are in direct contradiction to the decrees and statutes of the Lord. That's one way to raise our voice.
It's amazing how one voice has the ability to awaken others until their is a mass cry that changes the face of our society. Marting Luther King Jr. joined with other voices that were not willing to abide by the injustices of their day. They named the injustice and then took steps to bring forth what was just.
I don't want to be silent anymore. I'm learning to clear my throat to let my voice be heard as one among many.
May we, as the Church, learn once again how to cry out so that the nations may be saved.
Shalom
Elaine Gillingham

All Ya Need is Love (da da da da da)...

I have been having an interesting debate on boundlessmagazine.com over the issue of love. Someone asked the question "so what have you done lately?" in reference to the poor and ignored.

Well, that started people getting kind of upset, and suggesting that we don't have to try and prove our love for God by "doing things."

I accept the point that we cannot prove our love to God, that we love simply because God first loved us. I cannot prove by any good works that I love God. But, I suggested, I CAN prove that I DON'T love God by hating my brother (1 John 4:20). I do believe that our love for God is measured - not by us, but by God - by our love for others, (in particular for the poor, as that's who Christ kept going on about).

At the very least, the love for God and the love for others cannot be separated. I'm not entirely sure how else I can show my love for God. Singing romantic songs to Jesus? Sure, obedience to God's commands show my love. But what are his commands? "Love each other as I have loved you..." and others like it. I thought that was pretty well agreed upon, but it looks as if there is still a debate afoot.

Grace,

Aaron

At the end of August our family was delighted to have a new addition. A baby boy named Jeremiah. I find it amazing how the Lord speaks to me through such intense circumstances.
First off, I hate labor! I've been through it five times now and I think it gets worse each time. It could be because I know what has to happen so I anticipate it fully before I even experience it.
Jeremiah was a couple of weeks overdue and I was dreading going into labor. I was just too tired. So when the labor pains started coming on I tried to escape in any way I could. I asked for drugs but it was too far into the labor for such a thing. I asked them to cut me open and take the baby out. They just ignored me. At one point I realized that all my effort to avoid the pain wasn't doing me any good. The pain had to be endured and embraced in order for the baby to come. The closer the arrival of the child the more intense the pain. Finally I began to work in the pain to bring forth the life that would not be held back. And Jeremiah came into the world.
Right now I am going through another form of labor. I think it may be called the labor unto death. My father has cancer which is eating away at his life. Short of a miracle from God he will go to see Him. I am discovering that dying too has its labor. The painful contractions come at increasing intervals. There is nothing that can be done to avoid the pain. It is coming and it must be endured and even embraced. And in the end this death will bring forth life.
I was thinking how when I try to see beyond death it is very grey. I can't see clearly what lies there. It is a great mystery. The unknown. No eye has seen, no ear has heard...
Jeremiah's entrance into this life here on earth was the same for him. All he had ever known was the security, warmth and confinement of my womb. Then one day his whole world was shaken and he was forced out of all he had ever known into this world. This world was a mystery to him. I think he likes it here. I think my dad will like it where he's going. I can't wait to get there too!
Another thought as I pilgrim through this life. Death tells me to live fully now. Knowing I'm going to die makes me want to live all out while I have the chance.
Shalom
Elaine Gillingham

An Exception...

Steven claims that "we" love stats here. I believe he may be using the royal "we". "I" do not love stats.

I studied quantitative history (historical study based on statistical analysis) in University, and discovered that while stats can be vitally important in discovering historical truths left out of conventional sources (ie.,the books written by the winners), they are also just as frequently used (or misused) to categorise and systematise people.

No statistic, however important it may be, can tell you anything close to the story of one of the kids who accepted Jesus this year. No two kids have the same story in that regard, and it has impacted each of their lives and famiies differently. Perhaps in 20 years or so a statistical analysis of our community - reduced drug and crime rates, an end to the "kiddie stroll", healthier families, improved scholastic perfomance from the schools, etc... - can give us some insight into how we've been doing, how God has been transforming our communities with and through us. But even that study will not tell you what's really going on.

I have a feeling there will be no stats in heaven (or at the very least, I will not have to compile them).

Grace,

Aaron

January 10, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

You may have noticed that our sites are being updated. Curtis and Don are hard at it improving the services and resources that will help you in your salvation war. Thanks for your patience.

While there will be a few new wrinkles you might want to suggest to us great ideas to make it even better (revolution@mmccxx.net). Thanks.

While you wait, be sure to catch up on archives of this blog (top right) and JAC (Journal of Aggressive Christianity- top right) so you don't go hungry.

You've rewarded their hard work with more visits. Please feel welcome to come back every day, sometimes several times a day, and to invite your friends, colleagues, comrades, the person who sits next to you on the bus, your milkman's next door neighbour, your sister's babysitter, and so on.

We just tallied our year-end at our corps, and praise God for a few targets made, for sustained growth at the same rate as the previous year, and for other good increases, in conversions and so on. But we had a few failures, too, which leave us scratching our heads, and dusting off our knees (to pray), and rolling up our sleeves for the coming year. I hope that stats do the same kinds of things to you (we love stats).

Much grace,
stephenC
Posted by Stephen Court

Cartridge

Over at the territorial symposium discussion board I'm getting questioned (some might read 'attacked') over our standards for soldiers regarding giving. So here is a defence.

There are two schools of thought in The Salvation Army regarding giving. One suggests that we are to be good stewards of God’s gifts, saving up so that we don’t become a burden to others. The others suggests that we are to be good stewards of God’s gifts, pouring them out to others as quickly as we receive them. The former school invests in savings plans; the latter invests in winning plans. The former might be thought of investing in the mission of Coca Cola (as representative of stock market companies that receive these savings plan funds). The latter is investing in the mission of The Salvation Army to win the world for Jesus (since the money is being poured into its war chest).

We all have one life, varied blessings, and the choice as to their use. An eternal perspective shows that the things that matter most are those that will stand the test of fire. And the things that matter most are those in which we should invest our whole lives. Not only that, but God is worthy. From a right relationship with Him emerges the truth that everything is His anyway, and it is through His huge benevolence that we are granted stewardship of some of the wealth.

Some complain that tithing is an Old Testament practice associated with the Law, and so it is no longer applicable in these days of the New Covenant. That’s just not true. Abraham tithed to Melchizedek long before there was a people of Israel, long before the Law was passed down to them. But tithing is just the beginning.

Queen of Sheba:
1 Kings 10 tells us she visited King Solomon, bringing a very great caravan- with camels carrying unprecedented quantities of spices, gold, and precious stones- solely to bless him. And yet, 2 Chronicles 9:12 records that she left with more from him than she had given!

Most Christian types don’t have a great handle on this one, and newer Christians are left without much guidance on this issue. SALVATIONISM 101 solves that problem once and forever! General William Booth throws subtlety to the wind with his instructions:

"You might work out this rule on a graduated scale, beginning at the bottom with a tenth, and going on increasing as God increases… From a tenth you can rise to an eighth, and then to a fifth, and a fourth, and even further. Make His glory your joy, your conscience, your guide, and the Salvation of men, for time and eternity, the supreme object for which you live and trade and do everything else, and you will not go astray on this subject” (Booth).

“I will spend all the time, strength, money, and influence I can on supporting and carrying on the salvation war” (Articles of War). Giving is one of the few issues in the Bible about which God told us to test Him (see Mal. 3:8-12 for the curse the stingy are under and the blessings the generous are promised). We reap what we sow (Gal. 6:6,7), so it is to our own benefit to get off our wallets and live dangerously and give recklessly.

The more you give, the less you have to worry, the more God can trust you with other blessings for others, the more you will be blessed, and so on... (lots more good stuff on this subject in 201). In some ways the need for a section like this, on giving, is frustrating. Why is it we have to keep teaching people to give? As Lieutenant Rowan Castle asks, “Who taught you to keep?”

Any questions? (revolution@mmccxx.net)
grace
sec

January 9, 2006.

Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

I received an email this mornign noting that this is the centenary of Azusa Street Revival. Hallelujah. May God top that blessing this year.

I also received an email from a comrade on the other side of the world. The plans he has for this year are stimulating and challenging. It is getting me stirred more for my front (and maybe will for you on yours?

New years, full of hope and possibility. May we optimise the opportunities in the power of the Spirit. "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).

Grace,
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

A few parallel quotes from today...

From newcriterion.com, on islamofascism (Robert Kimball):
"In the face of such death-embracing fanaticism our only option is unremitting combat."

It could have been applied to the demons as accurately (and the demand on us).

Or, Milton Himmelfarb, who died this week: “The number of Jews in the world is smaller than a small statistical error in the Chinese census. Yet we remain bigger than our numbers. Big things seem to happen around us and to us.”

You'd like to think it could be applied as accurately to Salvos.

“The trouble is not that religion in general has too small a role in American public life or American life simply,” Himmelfarb wrote in FIRST THINGS (this bit is from firstthings.com) in March 1991. “The trouble is that a particular religion has too great a role—paganism, the de facto established religion.”

And, tragically, this could be said for most of the western world.

Jeff Hart calls Richard John Neuhaus (what RJN misquoyes) an 'easy chair revolutionary'.

I hope that this critique cannot be made of us (though it is a real danger).
Much grace
stephenc

PS new readers- welcome. Don't forget that the newest post is at the top so sometimes you'll want to start at the beginning of the day by scrolling down a litte.

January 8, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

I guess I've not been clear on a couple of posts and am receiving feedback.

For clarification purposes:

1. enemies and friends of Jesus Christ. WB wants us to be clear in who the enemies are so that we can make them into friends.
2. home schools, suggests Fessio, might play the role of dark age monastaries in protecting Christian values and culture.

____

Now, the High Council is right around the corner and I hope that you are praying for it. We're praying for unanimity on the first ballot of God's choice.

I'm personally excited about the prospects because of the great commission mission posture of some of the leaders. This could be the tipping point into a great new stage of expansion for The Salvation Army.

Some challenges and possible solutions:
Internal
- (dis)unity worldwide can be addressed by a universal embrace of covenant.
- (lack of) incarnation can be addressed by moving into the neighbourhoods of those we evangelise.
- (restrictions of) finance can be addressed by drastically paring down staff and offcers support and teaching and exhorting sacrificial giving. And, as WB said in yesterday's post, make war support war.
External
- return to a prophetic posture instead of preening for relevance.
- seriously and strategically engage the those held captive by false religion(s).
- strategically deploy resources ($ + people) internationally.

So, pass on those tidbits to anyone voting... :-)

We welcome comment, as usual (revolution@mmccxx.net).

Much grace,
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

dispicable killings

(from townhall.com):
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According to Associated Press reports, Nazir Ahmed, a 40-year old Pakistani laborer, slit the throats of his three daughters, ages 8, 7 and 4, and their 25-year old stepsister to “salvage his family’s ‘honor’” after his stepdaughter was accused of committing adultery.

Ahmed told AP that he “thought the younger girls would do what their eldest sister had done, so they should be eliminated.” As poor people, Ahmed continued, “we have nothing else to protect but our honor.”

There were 260 such “honor” killings in 2005, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
____

'People need the Lord'.

grace
sec

January 7, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

I've just read an intriguing, prophetic article called THE FUTURE OF MISSION.

It's by William Booth.

Some keepers (of many):

"Make war support war.
--

"Perhaps the chief reason for the lack of apostolic success in our day, after all, is the lack of apostolic spirit. You won't turn the world upside down by any cut-and-dried orders and regulations, by any services or ceremonials, unless you have men who possess the turning-upside-down spirit. Then, having the spirit, purpose, and consecration of the Apostles, you may hope to have apostolic success.
__

"It is said you must get at Christianity through civilization (civilizing the natives). I say, 'no, no, NO!' You must reach civilization through Christianity...
They say you must educate the people, and thus get at Christianity through education. Brethren, again, I reply, 'no, no, NO!' You've got it the wrong way on; you must get at eduction through Christianity.
__

"Divide the nations of the earth into two distinct clases; the friends and enemies of Jesus Christ.
__

So, be self-supporting and raise up your warriors from the front. Be Holy Spirit-endorsed. Go for souls and don't settle for changes in quality of life. Strategise ruhtlessly- enemy or friend.

Argue if you like, but I'll go with WB (revolution@mmccxx.net). This vision some of share of mmccxx, new outposts in 2,000 cities in 200 countries in 20 years, fits into thie prophetic framework. The first mmccxx year is over and we're into the teens of outposts... Hallelujah. If you're interested in joining a new team or opening a new city, let me know.
Grace
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

More Fessio

"In fact, this year, well, last year, actually. 2005, there were more Muslims born in France than people of traditional French background. Within four years, the top four cities in Holland will be...most populous cities, will have a Muslim majority. I mean, if we look at the demographics, which can change, but they change slowly, I don't see any other issue for Europe, or any result, than looking like North Africa, you know? Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Egypt, I mean, they were all Christian, thriving Christian communities, you know, in the early Church. And now, you can't profess your faith there. You can't bring a Bible in some of those countries."
____
grace
sec

More Fessio

He said, "home schools are the monasteries of the new dark ages."

Warrior Academy just started its home school component this week.

hmm.
grace,
sec

I'm not alone

in being impressed by Steyn's It's The Demography, Stupid article (see my blog earlier this week, with link). radioblogger.com today features an intereview with Father Joseph Fessio on that subject. He offers a harcore Catholic perspective on the Islamification of Africa and Europe...

Here's one bit:
"And there are, I think there are 98 Islamic countries in the world, and 97 of them do not have religious freedom. The only one that does is Mali, where Timbuktu is, you know. It's in a desert, so you can hardly count it. Sorry about any Malians who are listening to this program. And that's what's going to happen to Europe. Once there's an Islamic majority, it is going to not...it's going to eliminate religious freedom."

He also contrast the current pope with the last one. JP2 was pulling for a revival in Europe and B16 is looking to bolster the remnant.

This impinges on the High Council, the new General having to be prepared to engage these unique struggles in to the next generation.

grace,
StephenC

a couple of numbers for you

These just came in today:

- The first three applicants have been accepted for The War College's next session in September. Since we accepted 51 last year, I am going to guess that there is still loads of room for you to apply (thewarcollege.com).

- I've just heard that our armybarmy blog hits continue to rise and it looks like a few times as many people read this daily as they did a year ago. Praise the Lord. if you're one of the late comers, welcome aboard (and catch up in our archives- top right- previous posts). Tell your friends to check it out.

Hallelujah.
grace
stephenc

Following the age of consent
(listening to delirious- cutting edge)
(Canada)
Don't look now but one of the major parties is promising to raise the age of consent to 16 if they win the election (from 14).

Find out where your local candidates stand...
grace
stephenC

How to Pray Successfully

Patricia King (extremeprophetic.com) just fired this email our way on how to pray:
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How to Pray Successfully



1. TEACHING: HOW TO PRAY SUCCESSFULLY

Successful prayer is dependant on a few simple principles. All of these involve relationship with God. He made prayer to be a relational engagement and not a systematic activity. The following is a brief outline for fruitful prayer in 2006.

1. Abiding. Jesus said in John 15:7 "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you." To abide means to be in one's presence, to wait, to draw near to. Our fruitfulness comes from remaining in Jesus, drawing near to Him and waiting on Him. The word, "words" in this passage is in reference to the word that the Holy Spirit quickens to us as we wait on Him. It is the rhema.

2. Pray according to His will. 1 John 5:14, 15 "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." If we are going to pray successfully, we need to pray according to His will and purposes.

3. Praying with right motives and a pure heart. Right motives are essential for effective prayer. James 4:4,5 "You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility towards God?" It is always important to ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and to convict you of any unconfessed sin or impure motives. Psalm 66:18 says that if we regard wickedness in our heart , then the Lord will not hear. 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins , that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Take time to search your heart and to receive forgiveness and cleansing.

4. Faith. Hebrews 11:6 "Without faith it is impossible to please Him for He who comes to God must first believe that He is and that He is a rewarde r of those who diligently seek Him." We must approach God in faith believing that He is desiring to reward us with answered prayer. Do not doubt. Mark 11:24 gives us some strong insight: "...all things for which you pray and ask , believe that you receive them and you shall have them." This is an amazing promise!

5. Fervency and passion. When you pray, pray with passion and focus. Don't pray wimpy little scattered prayers and expect God to answer them.  "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man will accomplish much." James 5:16

6. Endurance. Do not lose heart and do not lose faith. Galatians 6:9 says that we will reap if we faint not. Jesus taught His disciples that if they had faith as a mustard seed , that nothing would be impossible for them (See Matthew 17:20). A mustard seed's greatest quality is that of endurance. If you plant a mustard seed deep into the earth and then covered the earth above it with a slab of pavement, somehow that mustard seed will find a way to grow. It doesn't matter how many years it takes, it will persevere. If it can't push through the pavement, it will go around it, but it will find a way to grow.

7. The blessing of Journaling. One of the things that will enhance your prayer life is keeping a prayer journal. That way you can keep track of your prayers, the scripture promises you are standing on, the date you brought your request before the Lord and the date of the fulfillment. God is so faithful to answer all our prayers. Keeping a journal reminds you of His continued faithfulness in answering your prayers.
____
Have at it.

grace
stephenC

Homospiritual?

Matthew Champ (top right) posts on some discussion in class yesterday emerging from a reading of Born to Reproduce b Navigators founder Dawson Trotman (recommended). Anyway, DT is on about three types of people who can't reproduce- those who never marry (this is an old article), those with some disease, and those too immature. The spiritual application is obvious.

Then students spun this off to homospirituality, heterospirituality, and bi-. It's interesting and legit- give MC a read.
grace
stephenC

January 6, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Boy, The Army in England has pulled a great scam, hasn't it, in being featured in the Times all last month as the focus charity to receive funds through that newspaper?

There is a great interview with Major Chick Yuill that I just received: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,25930-1958190,00.html

It features a wonderful opening line: MAJOR CHICK YUILL is a man who confounds expectations and knows how to turn the situation to his advantage.

One classic bit from Chick goes like this: "People haven‚t rejected us because we‚re too spiritual but because we‚re not spiritual enough. The essential icon of the Gospel is a man bleeding on the cross, paying the total price. The Church isn‚t living up to His message. We need to move out of marketing and into mission. That means going into the world and risking contamination, if we want to be part of the body of Christ."

For some reason the interview edited out that he leads mmccxx and is on the board of reference for The War College...

Much grace
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

WB in 1879 Salvationist

Christ Hinton (top right) blessed us with this WB original today in his blog: http://blog.councilofwar.co.uk/chris/index.php/archives/a-good-soldier-of-jesus-christ#more-340

grace
stephenc

Another reason this election is important (Canada)

My friend Faytene Kryskow is going over the top in mobilizing support for 'pro-morality' candidates of any party, candidates who are pro-marriage and pro-life (both are hard to find sometimes up here in Canada). More power to her (4mycanada.ca).

Our Supreme Court approved swingers clubs last month, basically legalizing commercial orgies.

And because the age of consent is 14 in Canada (you have to be 19 to drink but only 14 to have sexual intercourse!) any such clubs that don't serve alcohol will be open to 14 year olds.

We need to vote in some pro-morality candidates (any party) who will change this ridiculous situation in Canada (this is just one of several).

Much grace
sec

assorted articles

(hat tip RM and JM)

When blood and fire equals care and compassion
Richard Morrison: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1069-1943445,00.html

http://telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2005/12/24/dl2401.xml: Christmas and the end of history

And from The Wall Street Journal...
When Saul of Tarsus set out on his journey to Damascus the whole of the known world lay in bondage. There was one state, and it was Rome. There was one master for it all, and he was Tiberius Caesar.
Everywhere there was civil order, for the arm of the Roman law was long. Everywhere there was stability, in government and in society, for the centurions saw that it was so.
But everywhere there was something else, too. There was oppression -- for those who were not the friends of Tiberius Caesar. There was the tax gatherer to take the grain from the fields and the flax from the spindle to feed the legions or to fill the hungry treasury from which divine Caesar gave largess to the people. There was the impressor to find recruits for the circuses. There were executioners to quiet those whom the Emperor proscribed. What was a man for but to serve Caesar?
There was the persecution of men who dared think differently, who heard strange voices or read strange manuscripts. There was enslavement of men whose tribes came not from Rome, disdain for those who did not have the familiar visage. And most of all, there was everywhere a contempt for human life. What, to the strong, was one man more or less in a crowded world?
Then, of a sudden, there was a light in the world, and a man from Galilee saying, Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's.
And the voice from Galilee, which would defy Caesar, offered a new Kingdom in which each man could walk upright and bow to none but his God. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. And he sent this gospel of the Kingdom of Man into the uttermost ends of the earth.
So the light came into the world and the men who lived in darkness were afraid, and they tried to lower a curtain so that man would still believe salvation lay with the leaders.
But it came to pass for a while in divers places that the truth did set man free, although the men of darkness were offended and they tried to put out the light. The voice said, Haste ye. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you, for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
Along the road to Damascus the light shone brightly. But afterward Paul of Tarsus, too, was sore afraid. He feared that other Caesars, other prophets, might one day persuade men that man was nothing save a servant unto them, that men might yield up their birthright from God for pottage and walk no more in freedom.
Then might it come to pass that darkness would settle again over the lands and there would be a burning of books and men would think only of what they should eat and what they should wear, and would give heed only to new Caesars and to false prophets. Then might it come to pass that men would not look upward to see even a winter's star in the East, and once more, there would be no light at all in the darkness.
And so Paul, the apostle of the Son of Man, spoke to his brethren, the Galatians, the words he would have us remember afterward in each of the years of his Lord:
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
This editorial was written in 1949 by the late Vermont Royster and has been published annually since.
____
grace
stephenc

new year's resolutions.

Check out Army Renewal Blog (top right) for a classic 1849 resolution with an impact that continues today.
grace
stephenc

high council, part n.

Someone noted that there are (only) two Canadians in the upcoming High Council. 2%. But they represent about 2% of the world's Sr. Soldiers and Jr. Soldiers. So it is about right.

It is a large drop from a decade and a half ago when there were seven (if my memory serves).

But of much more interest is the fact (I believe- please correct me if necessary at revolution@mmccxx.net) that this High Council features the first corps officers in the history of the High Council (the Hugheses were UK TCs before being appointed to a corps). They will offer a perspecitve that is quite welcome at Sunbury.

Praying for a unanimous first-round pick...
grace
stephenC

I give up.

I started to highlight one sentence from you. That quickly spread to a paragraph and a section, and finally, well, you read it for yourself: http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110007760

It is Mark Steyn on It's the Demography, Stupid.

And it is a ravishingly entertaining study for anyone looking at the great commission in our lifetimes.
grace
stephenc

a couple of classics from Michael Ramsay's (Renew Network top right) blog:

Disney's traditional family?
101 Dalmatians and Peter Pan (Wendy) are the only two Disney cartoon
features with both parents that are present and don't die throughout the
movie.
----
The number of people in the world who suffer from malnutrition as a result
of hunger: > 1.2 billion

The number of people in the world who suffer from malnutrition as a result
of over consumption: > 1.2 billion
----
grace
stephenc

Christian video suggestions (hat tip Faith T- this is actually BY Faith, not me)

Living Waters & Way of the Master websites - www.livingwaters.com and www.wayofthemaster.com
This is such an awesome site, so much equipping and encouragement for sharing our faith in Jesus with others. Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron team up with alot of humor and practical teaching. There are tons of excellent free teaching videos, audios, plus lots of tracts and evangelism resources. I URGE you to at least watch the video "Hell's Best Kept Secret". We are currently enrolled in their online School of Biblical Evangelism, and are getting alot out of it.

The Way of the Master Radio - www.wayofthemaster.com/radio/home.shtml
A new radio station starting up on January 2nd that will be available online, on satellite, and many land stations as well. I just read about it, and it looks like it will be great! Read about it for yourself at the link above.

Trinity Broadcasting Network's free Video Gallery - www.tbn.org
TBN has a bunch of free Christian movies you can watch online. Look for them in the VIDEO GALLERY. Some of them are very good and some are not so good. One of my favorite movies ever, a true story, is "The China Cry". I would also liked "To Hell and Back" and "The Emissary".

Billy Graham free Christian Movies - www.billygraham.org/WWP_Movies.asp
Billy Graham's website has a bunch of Christian movies you can watch online, too. All the ones we watched so far were great! At least two of them are true stories: "The Hiding Place", the story of Corrie Ten Boom and her family who sheltered Jews during WW II; and "Wiretapper".

"Luther"
If you haven't seen this movie yet, it is awesome! We just bought the DVD, and I have not liked a movie so well in a very long time. It is the story of Martin Luther, produced by MGM studios, and is a very high-quality film. The acting and directing are excellent. The gospel message is stated clearly in several times.

"End of the Spear" - www.endofthespear.com
This is the true story of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint and three other missionaries who were all martyred in Ecuador by the Auca Indians. I'm sure most of you are familiar with the story. Well, we just saw this website, and the film looks incredible! It's great to see so many high-quality Christian films being produced these days. You can watch some clips of the movie online. It'll be in theatres January 20th.
____
grace
stephenC

January 4, 2006.

Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I saw this today...
"In 2000, Romanian children accounted for almost 1 in 6 of the juvenile offenders appearing in Paris courts."

It was in the context of those talking about potentials for votes in the coming Canadian federal election.

grace
sec
posted by Stephen Court

January 3, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
I'm back on internet access and we should be consistent for awhile (til next week anyway).

When I was young a cousin asked, on a hot day, if I felt like a freezie. I told him 'no'. He kept asking. Only after the fourteenth time (or so) did I realize he was asking if I wanted one, not if I was freezing cold like one.

Later on, before my grandfather was promoted to Glory, he told me not to become an officer unless I couldn't do anything else. I thought he meant not to try out officership unless I was so useless I couldn't get a real job.

I've figured them both out since.

And there is more revelation to come.

2006- Praise God for last year. But let's press in for a revolution in 2006. A couple of days ago another outpost started (mmccxx is growing). And God has much in store. Try to take some time to pray up goals and areas of improvement and such for yourself and your crew over the next 12 months.

May God prosper your efforts in His name, for His glory.
Much grace,
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

Tara Ayer = Wise Lady

A good quote from Tara Ayer during the class I was running yesterday for teh War College Students on Ecclesiology:

"It is impossible to know Jesus outside the context of community."

Even those zany Desert Fathers ended up with communities around them as they set up their caves looking for total isolation. We are meant to experience God together, as a Body. My personal holiness and devotion is important for my relationship with God, but also it is vital for my community's relationship with God and with each other. One Scottish evangelist and pastor said that the most important thing he could give to his flock was his own personal holiness.

Or, as the poet John Donne put it, "No man is an island, entire unto himself."

Grace y'all,

Aaron