Armybarmy Blog

PREPARATION
Matthew 26
The garden of Gethsemane was Yeshua's preparation time. The wrestling with the will of God prepared Him to walk resolutely into the purposes of God. Without that time I'm sure that He may have stumbled.
Listen to His word's when Peter cuts off the servants ear,
"... do you think I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more that 12 legions of angels? HOW then will the Scriptures be FULFILLED, which say that it must happen this way... all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets."
As I was reading this I saw Yeshua living in the 'other realm'. The spiritual realm was more real to Him than the material. His vision and existence was engulfed by the purposes and reality of the Kingdom of God. His vision was so "set on things above" because He spent the critical time meeting with the Father and preparing.
So often we can be tossed back and forth because we fail to spend the time waiting and listening to the Father. We don't know what we should do, where we should go, how to respond because we have not learned to go to the wilderness places, the garden presses and hear the rhema word of the Lord.
Just as the children of Israel spent 40 years in the dust learning to listen and obey we too must journey and learn to listen and obey- submitting ourselves to the times of preparation so we are ready when our hour comes.
Shalom
Elaine

2006 MARCHING ORDERS
The Canada and Bermuda Territory moves were announced yesterday. If you haven't seen or heard check it out at
http://salvationist.netfirms.com/?page_id=95
Shalom to all those officers and families who are on the move. May the Lord shine His face on each as they make preparations. May the Kingdom be advanced.
Please use the listing as a prayer guide for the next little while. These moves are not always the easiest especially for those going into tough situations and families who have to go through major transitions.
Shalom
Elaine

ANOTHER WAR
Last night I was thinking of all the wars that are in our world. There are the battles between nations and different ethnic groups, the war on terrorism, the spiritual war that believers are engaged in, I personally love gas wars - fighting for the lowest price at the pumps. Lately my attention has been turned to a war that I thought was over. I thought it took place a number of years ago and the sides had come to terms with one another. It seems that I was wrong. I am stunned that this war is still going on because it is so fruitless. ( As most wars are.)
Would you believe that there is still a war going on about contemporary "verses" traditional worship music? Maybe as you read this your jaw is hanging open in disbelief that this could be true. I hear the voice of an OLD friend saying, "Tell it not in Gath!" But I'm telling you it's the truth.
I stand dumbfounded by this reality because I believed the two "sides" had found the common ground and discovered the riches in both camps. But I was WRONG.
For the last couple of weeks I've been hanging out at my parents place. My dad is terminally ill with cancer and is not expected to live much longer. He is bed ridden and so there isn't much for him to do there except sleep, have devotions and pray together, watch some TV and listen to a lot of CDs.
I found it very striking to watch his reception to the different kinds of music that would be played. He grew up being a part of the banding movement and so he just loves to listen to the bands. He's got Cariboo Hill, the Staff Band, London Citadel and a few others. When I was younger, (within the last 20 years), he would have band CD's blaring in the car. I found this to be an excruciating form of torture. I would grab my ears and shriek begging him to turn it off and release me from such agony. But as I watched him lying lifelessly in bed and I listened to the singing the Euphonium soloist - the instrument literally sung out the tune - I was moved in my spirit. I heard the heart of the message of worship and was blessed. I saw how deeply the ministry of these bands was touching my father. The tunes were familiar and their words - if you knew them - were deep and abiding. (This isn't an isolated incidence brought on by nostalgia. It's happened several times before. There are times when the band plays and I am so stirred in my spirit that I cry or I have a huge HALLELUJAH build up in my gut that I have to shout out -"Praise the LORD!" )
Another time I put on a songster CD. It was from the States and it had all contemporary songs on it. Even though the music was performed by the songsters it didn't touch my father or bring comfort because it wasn't in his worship language. It was foreign to him - out of his frame of reference.
We all have a language in which we worship the King. Some of us take time and learn the other languages. We learn to embrace them and the culture from which they were derived not negating their value - thinking they're old, stale, less spiritual, but finding the heart of worship in each one. There is a great beauty and richness when old and new are merged or married together. The expression encompasses generations rather than alienating and belittling the other.
Oh for wars to cease...
Crown Him the Lord of peace,
Whose power a sceptre sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease
And all be prayer and praise...
Here's a challenge. If you're caught in one camp to the detriment of the other, take time over the next few weeks to explore the worship music of the other camp. Ask the Lord to speak to you through the music, whether it be band, songsters, contemporary worship - whatever. It's amazing where He will meet us.
Shalom
Elaine

Words to live by

Life is more fun when you're good.
(this was the life lesson on which we were raised).
grace
StephenC

EARS TO HEAR...
I was reading in Mark the other day and a few verses really jumped out at me. HUGE CHALLENGE!
Mark 4:23-25
"...if anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.
Consider carefully what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you - and even more. Whoever has will be given more. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."
Prior to this Jesus has told the crowds about the sower who went out to sow and how the word of God is received or not received. In light of this parable these words are quite a challenge for us.
I think over my life of all the teaching that I've received. I'll do a little math here. 39 years x (at the least) 52 sermons a year = 2028 sermons. If you figure in the early days I heard 2 sermons each Sunday you could increase that by another 1040 sermons. Add to that regular rations ... the sowing of God's word into my life has been huge. How much have I actually applied? What measure of the Word do I use. Do I use - implement, apply the word to my every day living?
The more I apply and implement the more revelation He will pour out. The sobering thing is the word that we don't use - that will be taken from us- YIKES! Just like the birds gobbling up the seed.
May we all learn not to be just hearers of the word but doers!
Shalom
Elaine

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

He is risen!

It is a good thing that our blog is a blogging community, as not all of us will be around for the next few days. It will give some space for the others to be heard.

William Booth said, "Holiness and hard work will succeed anywhere."

There you have it.

Cheers to Jonathan E- in top 2% of the big race yesterday...

Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

Spiritual Musings...
Recently Ian and I have been doing some rennovations in our home. When we moved in our home was a duplex -the basement was a self contained unit. In order to get to the basement we had to go outside and in through an outside door. We decided we wanted a whole, integrated house so we have just recently had stairs put it. This was no small matter - knocking down walls, putting a hole in the floor, endless sanding and mess like you wouldn't believe. Then because of all this work we had to put new flooring in the basement. So up came the old worn out carpet and we had people in to lay down a new carpet. Well we hit a road block because our cement foundation was crumbling a needed to be fixed. So Ian was put to work rebuilding a new foundation. This is just a shap shot of some of the work that we've been doing. It's a long, arduous, messy task.
During this time I was at my parents home watching the People's Church and the sermon that was given was really striking because it was what the Lord had been speaking to me through our home rennovations and in a couple of other places that I have been to. I believe it is a word He is giving to the body for our instruction and responsiveness.
So here's a bit of the preach from the Pastor of The People's Church in Toronto, Ontario. (FYI - I'll summarize but they're his thoughts)
In the final days as Yeshua entered Jerusalem He was greeted by the crowds with loud shouts of Hosanna, waving palm branches and cloaks being laid before Him. The people gave Him a heroes welcome because "of the miracles" that He had done in their midst. Their praise was based on the good things Yeshua had done for them. The answered prayers and longing of their hearts.
He came into Jerusalem riding on a colt. IN this action He demonstrates that He is master - One who rules, conquers and subdues. (A colt ridden for the first time would normally buck off anyone trying to ride it. Instead this one submits to the Master and allows Him to ride.)
In Jerusalem Yeshua reveals a different side of Himself. He shows Himself as the One who has the right to rule and be Master. He heals on the Shabbat. He turns over the tables of the money changers and those selling doves in the Temple. In these acts He puts His finger on the blatent injustice, religious yokes, extortion and political entanglements of those involved. He exposes sin unappoligetically and calls for what is right. He came as One with the authority to rule and He took His place in calling for righteousness.
The people (in authority) did not like Him messing about in their affairs and so they plotted to kill Him.
The point being made was that we love Yeshua when He answers our prayers, heals our diseases, calms our fears, etc. But when He puts His finger on areas of our lives that are sinful, oppressive, selfish... we can be like an unbroken colt and try to buck Him off rather than submitting to His Lordship.
C.S. Lewis has used the illustration of his own life being like an old shack. When Jesus was invited to come in to his life, Lewis belived He would come and clean things up. He was fine when Jesus repainted, fixed a window or two and did a few things here and there. But soon the LORD was tearing out walls, building new stairs, knocking out Lewis' favorite room. It seemed that his shack was in ruins and he just wanted Jesus to STOP. He didn't understand what was happening and it was all too much. Jesus told him his home was a shack. He could repaint and fix it up but it would still be a shack. Jesus lovingly told Lewis He came to make his home into a palace. That was the plan from the beginning.
It is His intention to turn us all into temples of the Living God. The question is are we willing to SUBMIT to His Lordship and allow Him to do whatever He wants with us - discipline us as He chooses - put to death whatever He deems unbecoming - use us whever He sees fit even when we don't understand. For that is what He requires of His disciples.
It's rennovation time in the body of Christ. Are you RAW - ready and willing???
Shalom
Elaine

Double hitter, double dipper

For Earth Day enthusiasts on hangover, here Mark Steyn's latest:
sixonefour vancouver

For those celebrating St. George's Day (cheers), here he is again:
http://www.steynonline.com/index2.cfm?edit_id=67

grace
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Posted by: armybarmy / 5:34 AM

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

He is risen!

I have friends who live by the belief that nothing spiritual is learned except by revelation. And revelation is useful for, among other things, ideas and conviction. What else do you need?

I've a session mate (Crusaders for Christ 92-94) who has recently become Territorial Secretary for Personnel (hat tip MM!). That's 3IC in the territory. Hallelujah! Look out for the Cru...

grace
stephenC
posted by Stephen Court

Salvationist

The new issue of Salvationist is now out:
http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/fm-issue-contents?openform&publication=Salvationist&id=39460AFB3762085A802571570046DD21

It includes a report of the General's welcome meeting (and fills in blanks this blog left last week).

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Earth Day

His is risen!

For those celebrating (Earth Day, that is), you might want to read this:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/weekend/hottopic/?id=110008277

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

Our teens just finished that 30 hour famine this morning and now another teen cell is doign an allnighter tonight. I know I was not cut out for teen stuff and am glad God has spared me the sleeplessness...

hat tip to Richard M for the following (hat tip to Captain Mike Himes originally, found this in a publication entitled "Blood-Washed Warriors" about the history of the Corry Corp):

   The Salvation Army officer pledges to:
Give an eye to troublesome boy or girl,
reconcile quarreling parties, break sad news
to those concerned, search for your missing
friends, dedicate your baby, conduct
weddings, write your letters, pray for you,
preach to saved and unsaved, read the
scriptures to you, suggest and direct your
charities, put the hungry in the way of a
meal, the weary on the road to a bed, care
care for neglected children, save the drunkard
and outcast, protect the weak, search the
night-haunts for wayward girls, give the ex-
prisoner a new start, stay the suicide's hand,
visit the sick, train the beggar to work, help
you to make your will, show you the way to
heaven, conduct the funeral.
  Adjutant Jack Sullivan in the
  Corry Journal, October 1, 1936
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Amen. And, soldiers, too.
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posted by Stephen Court

How Chaotic!

He is risen!

This is the last batch of endorsements I have (I think) for Danielle's new book CHAOTIC ORDER. Enjoy:
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I wholeheartedly recommend Chaotic Order as a book that will get you thinking about the possibility of thriving in the midst of human chaos, recognizing that God as the Divine Order often uses chaos as the genesis for new beginnings. This book will encourage you to hold on to God as the One who creates good things out of the void of chaos. With this perspective, you might even learn to enjoy chaos! Randy Wollf, Strategy Coordinator for The Journey (a network of small churches)

Danielle Strickland does not bring order to the chaos of leadership literature. She throws the paradigm for a loop, offering a fresh, Biblically-based, culturally-informed perspective on how to lead with God. Read at your own risk. Stacey and Wesley Campbell, authors of Pray The Bible, Be A Hero.

''Chaotic order' does not come out of an ivory tower in academe but out of a costly ministry in an urban slum. The writing will provoke furious thought. The writer's personal commitment should challenge those in comfortable pews.' Wesley Harris, author, Battle Lines, Proverbial Leadership, etc.

Strickland provides the reader with a stimulating framework from which to consider whether or not specific forms of chaos should be welcomed as the friend of the earnest leader. Often, to our surprise, we can find order as being at the root of our failings, a benign and silent enemy - the challenge put to us in this book is to accept that godly chaos is part of that mysterious blessing that is offered us in our faith – let go and let God. Jim Mancuso, Mancuso Chemicals Limited.
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Buy at armybarmy.com eStore.
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April 21, 2006.

Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

I was blessed to hang out with an old friend over the last day (hat tip CW). Good times in the War Room.

In TWC class this morning we broke down some Thomas a Kempis (Imitation of Christ) and highlighted a great line about accomplishing more if we stopped talking about problems and used that time uprooting vices and implanting virtrues.

And yesterday in class (Catherine Booth's AGGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY was the meal) I was struck by a great line: "I wish Christians would weep the Gospel into people."

I also found myself humming the line, "perfect, present cleansing in the Blood for me" (SASB 757 US). People in my corps seem to be talking about holiness all the time (reading Brengle, Wesley - students just read A PLAIN ACCOUNT OF CHRISTIAN PERFECTION, and so on).

Bring it on, Lord Jesus.

I noted in Romans 11:8 that God gave a spirit of stupidity (NBV) to some people- ouch. :-) (variously translated stupor, slumber, compunction)

Amen.
Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

Iraq SA

I know this one is long, and we could criticize TSA for not preaching harder, but I think this is a cool marker stone in breaking into a Muslim nation. If we have to start with Thanksgiving services Im OK with that. My friend Travis asked...
"didn't we leave some people behind to start a Corps?"

We'll we were planting in China under the radar for like 30 years !

If you check up on the Desert Rose Project this lines up (nicely) ! Whats Desert Rose ? It is The Salvation Army's strategy for the Middle East, pioneered by Comm. Paul DuPlessis - Overseer of World Evangelisation .

Rob Dolby

Emergency Disaster Services Bulletin
The Salvation Army
USA Southern Territorial Headquarters

CEREMONY OF THANKSGIVING BRINGS AN END TO SALVATION ARMY HUMANITARIAN PROGRAM IN IRAQ

A significant chapter in Salvation Army history has been brought to a close. During the week in which the world marked the third anniversary of the commencement of hostilities in Iraq, a unique Salvation Army Ceremony of Thanksgiving was held in Kuwait. The special meeting was convened to mark the conclusion of Salvation Army humanitarian activities in Iraq and to give thanks to God for the emergency response program that has brought assistance to thousands.

Hosted by the National Evangelical Church of Kuwait, the ceremony also created opportunity for a unique gathering of Salvationists living and working in the region. An advertisement was placed in the Kuwait Arab Times announcing the Ceremony of Thanksgiving and inviting any Asian Salvationists living in Kuwait to participate. The newspaper also published photographs of the evening's special guests, Commissioners Don Odegaard (International Secretary for Program Resources) and Commissioner Lalkiamlova (International Secretary for South Asia), and announced the purpose of the meeting. To see a Salvation Army meeting advertised in a Kuwaiti newspaper was unprecedented.
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April 20, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Three big shooters weigh in on that new book by Danielle Strickland's new CHAOTIC ORDER:
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For those who are never quite satisfied with the safe, the predictable, the structured, Danielle Strickland is a contemporary Christian muse of venture and vitality. Her new book lures us out of our personal and ministry ruts, and makes us consider what it really means to say that God is forever doing "a new thing" (Isaiah 43:19).  Don't expect eight sure steps to success, the trite formulaism of many leadership books.  Don't expect a rail against parachurch/denominational structures and systems, which is what we get from those who have nothing better to suggest.  But do expect to ponder and dream, to ask God to do a new thing in you and around you. Ken Baillie, leader of The Salvation Army, central United States.

If you are in church leadership today, you are wrestling with the impact of post modern culture. Danielle Strickland takes us beyond our comfort zones to a place where we can embrace creative chaos, discerning the formative hand of God in it all. Read and be disturbed. Read and see much that is familiar emerge in a new light. May God bless and use this perceptive book. Shaw Clifton, international leader of The Salvation Army.

"The Holy Trinity as post-modern leadership!  Who knew?  In Chaotic Order, not only will you get a fresh glimpse into the essentials of contemporary leadership for the church in the post-modern context, but you'll also view differently, the way the Godhead models this type of leadership from eternity.  A fascinating read." Janet Munn, Ambassador of Prayer and Spiritual Formation, eastern United States.
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It is available at the armybarmy.com store.
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posted by Stephen Court

April 19, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Those who read my little Resurrection Day article below (Saturday?) noted that some orthodox Christians greet each other with 'He is risen!' and 'He is risen indeed!' throughout the year. A classic idea. We might try it on our front, and you might like to, as well.

Meanwhile, Chaotic Order is available at the eStore (armybarmy.com). This is what some other people are saying about it:
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"Brilliant and beautiful. Bravo!" Dr. Caryn Wilson

"As an Oasis in the desert, so is this book to all who seek to lead in this generation that is already in great turmoil" Friday Ayanam, Secretary for Business Administration, The Salvation Army in Nigeria.

Danielle Strickland's book is as essential for an emerging leader trying to make sense of the endless demands for order with a systems-oriented organisation as it is for the frazzled mother struggling to cope with yet another knock at the door. She gives no easy formula other than to embrace the chaos around, allowing  it to reveal its own beauty in the joy of relationships. She helped me recognise that my quest for tranquillity begins where I am. Paul du Plessis, International Secretary of World Evangelisation, The Salvation Army. (possibly (!) the only appointment as good as mine!)
____
Grace
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posted by Stephen Court

Birth Dearth

You've heard the argument here about Muslims winning the biological multiplication war.

Here is another point aiming specifically at North America:
http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=2118

Much grace
StephenC

More Chaotic Order...

The book is now selling at our eStore (armybarmy). It is fresh out, and is Danielle Strickland's first book.

Here are a few more comments on the book:

"As we emerge from the linear world of modernity, Strickland delineates the virtues of something we believed was virtueless: chaos. Her book convinces the reader that God uses chaos, and our lives are richer and more purposeful when we embrace it." Amy Reardon, columnist, New Frontier.

Just when I thought I had God perfectly placed in a box and under my control, Chaotic Order  comes across my desk and I find out that "Chaos is a gift used by God for the overthrow of human control to establish His Divine Order."  We have always thought and been taught that "God is a God of order."  Danielle begins to ask the much needed questions of "What kind of order?" and "Is our idea of order the same as Gods idea of Order?"  She sounds an alarm to the 'church' that "order can kill you."  This is a must read for any persons in leadership.  Cory Harrison, author, Aggressive Christianity.

I recently heard a minister say, "If you are not living on the edge you are taking up too much
space." Ordered Chaos is an ingenious, edgy, honest and insightful literary piece about the
'out of bounds' and yet highly functional nature of our God. Not only does Danielle Strickland
preach and teach this message but lives it with colour. Prepare to embark on an exciting journey
as you read these pages, prepare to have your mental circuits blown and prepare to be forever
changed. Faytene Kryskow Author, Stand On Guard.

The rationalism of modernity has brought undeniable material benefits to many in the affluent West. But it has been at a price which we are only beginning to appreciate as we enter the uncharted future of post-modernity. Not only have the poor and hungry been left outside the party, but even for those of us who have feasted at the banquet, 'modernity has left us famished' in our souls. Danielle Strickland's excellent book prophetically challenges us to face and even embrace the seeming chaos of post-modern thought. Many of us have seen it as the enemy of the gospel. However, if Strickland is right - and I am sure she is - it is, in reality, an unprecedented opportunity to see God at work in our lives and our world. The cold propositional logic of dogma will no longer suffice. The time has come to live in the chaos of God's life-transforming love. This book will surely help us to do exactly that. Chick Yuill, author, This Means War, We Need Saints, etc.
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April 18, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

I had to write this thing on The War College for something else and thought it might be interesting to some who might consider The War College for next year (Starting this September):

background: Acts 19 recounts the Apostle Paul's training of his disciples in the hall of Tyrannus. Some believe that texts such as Colossians 4 list part of the student body, while texts like Revelation 2-3 represent locations to which the graduates took the Gospel.

The Salvation Army has a similar story in its early days, preparing evangelist warriors in training garrisons attached to local corps to send out to win the world for Jesus. Millions of converts attest to the effectiveness of these methods.

The War College is placed firmly within this tradition, embracing incarnational community with the poor as a contagious means of fulfilling the great commission. Many graduates are involved in extending this impact by pioneering outposts, inspired by a vision to see new outposts in 2,000 cities in 200 countries in 20 years (MMCCXX).

Misson: to train this generation's warriors to win the world for Jesus.
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amen.
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posted by Stephen Court

new blogger...

My friend Fiona Meeks started blogged at http://www.fionawasx.blogspot.com/

Visit and enjoy.

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Chaotic Order

Danielle Strickland has a new book you can order from our eStore (http://www.armybarmy.com/estore/). To whet your appetite here are a few endorsements of Chaotic Order: The Postmodern Leadership Secret:

Danielle Strickland has come up with a great antidote for control freaks !  It lobs a chaotic mortar shell amongst the little boxes we construct out of our evangelical theology and organisational culture. May any readers trapped into trying to hold everything together, receive permission to let go and let God. Harold Hill, Author, Leadership In The Salvation Army.

Danielle makes a convincing case for a new understanding of effective 21st Century Christian leadership. The times demand this sort of edgy, in your face, informing. An inspirational - but challenging read! Israel Gaither, lead of The Salvation Army, USA.

Danielle Strickland is a Salvation Army Officer who is presently engaged in an incarnational ministry. Danielle lives and works in the Lower East Side of the City of Vancouver in an area known as "the poorest postal code in Canada" Chaos is the order of the day! Into the midst of this chaos Danielle brings, by the presence of Christ in her life, a profound sense of order. Don Copple, leader of The Salvation Army in British Columbia.

More to come. You might want earmark the $12 cdn to buy today...
Much grace
Stephen C
posted by Stephen Court

Telegraph Good Friday editorial

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2006/04/14/dl1401.xml&sSheet=/opinion/2006/04/14/ixopinion.html

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ATONEMENT

Here is an article on the atonement that might interest you:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/005/9.29.html

grace
stephenC

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

He Is Risen!

Merry Resurrection Day!

Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

What Google will spit out...
(and the ramifications)

Andrew Bale (British Isle Blogs right) has an intriguing story that includes this tidbit:
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"An African from Mali visiting Sierra Leone was saved (Hallelujah!) and was encouraged to return to Mali and establish a congregation in his home country. This he did – in fact he established two congregations! Then he had a dream where his Mother visited him and told her that she had seen her son marching with a group of uniformed people playing tambourines, brass instruments and drums and carrying flags. Never having heard of TSA the man entered the words ‘tambourine’, ‘flag’ , ‘uniform’ and ‘brass band’ in Google and was taken to the War College website in Vancouver! As a result the man from Mali has made contact with TSA - Hallelujah!
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Read the whole story.
grace
stephenC

(an old column of mine I found online)
An event of history that changed eternity

CROSSING THE the street on a cool fall afternoon in Kirovograd, Ukraine, a wrapped up old Babushka looked up at me with a quick Ukrainian 'hello' - or so I thought. My translator corrected me. Eastern Orthodox countries still greet people casually on the street with the affirmation, ’He is risen!’ and the response, ’He is risen indeed!’

And this wasn't even Easter time!

Jesus’ death on a Cross and His subsequent resurrection is a fact of history that changes eternity. It impacts not only nice, little old ladies in provincial cities in former soviet strongholds. It impacts us, here, today.

He was a sinless man. He was actually God with skin on. And He died in my place, and in your place, punished for our sins so that we don’t need to be.

That He has risen back to life dramatically transforms every aspect of our lives. It means that we can know forgiveness of sins if we repent and trust Him. It means that we can be reconciled with God. It means that we can start all over again. It means that we can be changed for the better. It means that we can be ’partakers of the divine nature’! It means that we’ve put a downpayment on a great little mansion property in heaven . . . .

Forget the heresies you've heard wrapped up in Hollywood glitz. Toss out the cultic trappings that have adhered to your habits and lifestyle. Disregard the ridiculous pseudo-intellectual dribble of new age ritual. You're confronted with the God of the universe. The Creator.

And this God loves YOU - so much - that He allowed Himself to be killed so that you could live with Him forever. He's literally dying to save you. In fact, He is the only way for you to be saved from an eternity of separation from Him (commonly known as hell).

Submit to this loving God. Trust Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you. Ask Him to take over your life. Today.
( http://www.pennywiser.com/stephen03.htm )
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April 15, 2006.

Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Those down under have awoken for a sunrise service. To all of you, we shout HE IS RISEN!

Yahoo!

Captain Amy Reardon (who just recently relinquished her popular New Frontier column to for other challenges) says this: "I admit to being a little intimidated at the thought of actually changing society. But there is something thrilling about it, too."

The context is holiness, social holiness, and you can read her argument and sense what thrills her in her articel in th ecurrent JAC (inside propaganda on the right).

What a great weekend for some people to get saved. Let's go for it!

An old friend of mine is signing up as a soldier tomorrow morning (hat tip BA). May he join the ranks to help 'inaugurate the great final conquest of our Lord Jesus Christ."

There is a new feature on the front page of armybarmy.com: http://armybarmy.com/No2Trafficking.html It will develop in days to come.

Religious survey of Canadians shows a slip in church attendance (17%/week) and much more of interest (for example, Sixty-two per cent of those polled agreed with the statement that "through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God provided the way for the forgiveness of sins."):
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=fa16ec9b-b5d8-4dc1-ab42-28e230259b8e&k=32635

Fpr your Spanish-speaking friends:
http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9789875570641&QuerySiteString=Zondervan&QueryStringSite=Zondervan

Grace
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

update...

Please read Anthony Castle's report of his last few months in our community (British Columbia blogs at the right). It gives you a great overview of the 614 War.

I hope the new organization of blogs to the right will help facilitate your surfing (hat tip Don G).

Charles Roberts believes that the more church looks like the subway the more it looks like heaven. Read his whole argument at JAC (inside propaganda to the right).

We had a jovial passover last night at knee drill (bigger crowd than we expected- hat tip Linsey N), followed by an all night of prayer (same night Jesus prayed through, and some of his disciples couldn't stay awake). Today we shared the Passion of the Christ film with our neighbours.

Jesus suffered and died (but Sunday's coming)...
Grace
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April 14, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Find the General's Resurrection Day message to Salvationists - A Christ-Centred, Calvary-Conscious Army - here:
http://www1.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_sa.nsf/vw-sublinks/1D66D9D7AED64D6580257107004796CD?openDocument

Michael Ramsay's blog (renew network- top right) breaks down the origins of 'Good Friday'.

Much grace
stephenC

Stations Prayers

(hat tip Richard M)

These prayers are scheduled to be prayed by the Pope Friday
( http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-2134140,00.html )
____
"At the Third Station of the Cross, where Jesus falls for the first time, Archbishop Comastri has written: “Lord, we have lost our sense of sin. Today a slick campaign of propaganda is spreading an inane apologia of evil, a senseless cult of Satan, a mindless desire for transgression, a dishonest and frivolous freedom, exalting impulsiveness, immorality and selfishness as if they were new heights of sophistication.”

"At the Fourth Station, where Jesus is helped by Simon the Cyrene to carry the cross, Pope Benedict and his followers will pray: “Lord Jesus, our affluence is making us less human, our entertainment has become a drug, a source of alienation, and our society’s incessant, tedious message is an invitation to die of selfishness.”

"One of the strongest meditations warns against the attack on the family. “Today we seem to be witnessing a kind of anti-Genesis, a counter-plan, a diabolical pride aimed at eliminating the family.”

"There is a moving meditation for the Eighth Station, where Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem, describing the “River of tears shed by mothers, mothers of the crucified, mothers of murderers, mothers of drug addicts, mothers of terrorists, mothers of rapists, mothers of psychopaths, but mothers all the same”.

"The Pope will also confront the question of evil in the world in a meditation that asks: “Where is Jesus in the agony of our own time, in the division of our world into belts of prosperity and belts of poverty . . . in one room they are concerned about obesity, in the other, they are begging for charity?”
____
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Local Sched...

Maundy Thursday

Passover (during knee drill tonight)

All night of prayer (10-6 or so)

Passion of the Christ (2pm showing- http://www.nationalreview.com/ponnuru/ponnuru200402201151.asp)

Tenebrae Service- 7pm New West (wiki tenebrae for details)

OFM @ Street Church, starting at 9pm...

That gets us to Saturday...
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April 13, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Maundy Thursday.
(from First Things- top right)
____
"With all things in his hands, he took, of all things, a towel with which to wash his disciples’ feet.

"When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Lord and Teacher, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

"That is the mandatum, the command, and so it is that this day is also called Maundy Thursday.

"“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
____
grace
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posted by Stephen Court

hb2Dominic
Warrior hitting the earth's frontlines, today.
Congratulations C/A
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“The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast, and you miss all you are traveling for.”
—LOUIS L’AMOUR

My Dad would be pleased at this quote which arrived in my inbox today. I paused over it. You know, since Rob and I moved out here to Charlotte, North Carolina our life has revolved around getting ready for when this thing finally happens, or that thing arrives in the mail, 'mobilizing' for different ministries to start happening, and so on. We're preparing for adventure corps to start, for summer missioners to arrive, for War College to begin...there's always something be looking forward to and planning for. There is a strong tendency to be caught up in the bustle and always be thinking of what is coming in 5 minutes/days/weeks from now or what I never got around to 1 hour/day/week ago.

I didn't realize the intensity of all that until about an hour ago - the house was deserted (miraculous)and relatively tidy (I couldn't have sat down otherwise) and the phone was silent (ok - the battery was dead).
I sat down on the sofa and looked around at my living room. Hmm. My sofa. In my living room, in my house, in the US. Where God has planted me. I looked around and realized, this is my life. Wow. It seems like a whirlwind!

SO MUCH has occurred in the past 4 years since I set both feet into the Kingdom of God, and my heart on pilgrimage. If I don't start stopping for time-outs along the way, I'm going to whiz through everything and I'll not have reflected on the meaning of any of it. My life might stretch far in the horizontal sense, but where will I be vertically? Where is the depth of character and how will my experiences have shaped me?

If events, conversations and hours/days/weeks roll into an indistinguishable mass entitled "Firecrest:Charlotte:614", with no cognizant rumination on my part of how it all came about, how will I glean teaching and wisdom and understanding of my circumstances from the Lord?
Oh, how He longs to teach me! To teach us! I am so like the ADD/hyperactive pupil, who has difficulty focusing on one point for very long...God help me.

"Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often" Luke 2:17-19

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:41-42

posted by:
Heather Wrighteous Dolby
Death and Glory

April 12, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

UrbanArmy does a great job at summarizing some of the fight against Human Trafficking that is stirring up the zeal of our Army around the world (top right). Please check it out.

Freedom Fridays

On our front, Danielle is leading the charge, and she is pulling together a network of people who will fast Friday lunch to pray specifically against human trafficking. Are you up for it? Sign up at prayer@globalgirlnetwork.com and you'l receive a bi-weekly guide as to how to pray specifically.

It all starts Good Friday!

Blood is boiling...
grace
stephenC

Howard on Anointing

‘‘Sincerely ask the Lord to cleanse and sanctify and anoint you with the Holy
Spirit. Let God take full possession of you; let the Divine Power be exerted
upon your particular difficulty, and seek to be wholly anointed with that
Holy Spirit’’ (Commissioner T. Henry Howard, STANDARDS OF LIFE AND SERVICE, 94).

He was the second Chief of the Staff.
grace
stephenC

good stuff going on by Anthony Castle (top right)
grace
stephenC

You know you're in a war....

over in Charlotte (see 614 Charlotte blog- top right).
grace
StephenC

Clifton's Vision...

In the Welcome and Dedication meeting linked below, General Clifton outlines a vision he has. Here is the summary:

"I have a vision of the whole Army kneeling together at the feet of Christ. We are there at throne of grace from 111 countries, from countless cultures, using hundreds of languages, all asking for the same thing. (We are all) pleading to God for forgiveness (I couldn't catch it all here, but Clifton outlines some sins for which we plead forgiveness), faith, wisdom, holy courage, ..., holy life, power...

"(I see) the whole Army kneeling to repent, and in repenting, being renewed and revived."

He goes on with the character for which we must pray: humility, simplicity, nothingness, brokenness, a willingness to risk everything- even our reputation, obedience, fearlessness, total rejection of worldly enticements, a heart for the lost and lonely, holiness...

You might want to watch it yourself.
Grace,
stephenC

April 11, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

The welcome and dedication meeting from Saturday night (April 8) for General Shaw Clifton, Commissioner Helen Clifton, and Commissioner Robin Dunster is on realplayer (hat tip Andrew Bale- top right) at

http://www1.salvationarmy.org/ihq/media/kth-webcast.html

You can watch the whole meeting, or portions of it, as you have time (and your computer supports).

Much grace,
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

Take Justice

Some friends of mine have now sent over a thousand letters to government leaders to argue for justice.

http://takejustice.blogspot.com/

Things are still developing but it gives you a taste of what's happening.
grace
stephenC

Original Primitive Salvationism

The Primitive Salvationist Blog (top right) posted this (Wait- I just discovered that the original source is Andrew Bale- thanks):
____
Taken from Chapter 14, page 137 of ‘Commissioner Railton’ written by Eileen Douglas and Mildred Duff and published in 1920 by The Salvation Army (well worth reading if you can get a copy). The quote says:

“To-day we understand the wonderful provision made by God for thus bringing the very essentials of primitive Salvationism to labourers in far-off corners of the earth. He sent them one who, but, for the disability of his health, would never have been free to stay long weeks in their midst, unhampered by any set programme, and living out The Salvation Army before their eyes. This explains the marvellous hold Railton had on the hearts of thousands of Officers and Salvationists in all parts of the world. He came to them alone, unfettered by previously prepared lists of’ engagements. He brought to them his wealth of experience, his boundless energy, his sympathy, his humility, and the reverent love he always showed for those struggling with difficulties. ‘He saw their side only, and he left behind him a fleeting but wonderful vision of what a consecrated life can mean on earth. Truly, he was an apostle, ‘a man sent from God, whose name was Railton.’

During this period in Railton’s life he was out of favour with the powers that be and given free rein to travel the world as he saw fit. What took me by the throat when I read this paragraph was the superb definition of PS that comes later in the quote:

“Living out The Salvation Army before their eyes” and later still “a wonderful vision of what a consecrated life can mean on earth.”
____
grace
stephenC

Proclamation and Demonstration

Power evangelism weds proclamation of the Gospel with demonstration of the Gospel. God intends that the proclamation of the Gospel be accompanied by the demonstration of the Gospel (Hebrews 2:3-4).

Evangelicals assume demonstration is foot-washing and a cup of cold water. Charismatics assume this is healing and words of knowledge...

• JESUS’ EVANGELISM: Jesus confirmed the Gospel with signs and wonders (Mark 1:25-27; 2:5-12; Matthew 12:28; John 10:38; 14:11…).

• HIS DISCIPLES’ EVANGELISM: When preparing His disciples for their first evangelistic campaign without Him, “He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (Luke 9:1,2).

• PAUL’S EVANGELISM: Paul’s evangelism was power evangelism. In his words, “I resolved to know nothing when I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:2-5).

• OUR EVANGELISM: Jesus commissioned us all to, “go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation… And these signs will accompany those who believe; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands… they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well” (Mark 16:15-18).

The idea of power evangelism is to demonstrate that God exists, cares, and has the power to intervene, meeting a person’s need. Now, the fundamental need of everyone is forgiveness, but until they are convinced of God’s existence, care, and power, it is unlikely that they will come to Jesus to meet their biggest need. So, we meet a need they feel.

However, we don’t just cater to needs of which people are aware. Some of these needs may be sins that must be repented of, broken and forgiven, not complemented by a relationship with Jesus (Mark McCloskey, TELL IT OFTEN, TELL IT WELL, p39). Jesus is not a means to an end. He is what it’s all about! This approach must keep pointing to the Cross. “The Cross is the attraction” (Colonel Arnolis Weerasooriya). To get people to look at the Cross, we kick demons (Mark 9:24,25), we pray for healing (Acts 9:32-35), reconciliation, restoration, etc., we discern sin and circumstance to speak into someone’s life (John 4:17,18; Ephesians 6:17-19). Several times I have challenged an individual, in the course of evangelism, to tell me what would convince them the God exists, cares, and has the power to intervene. Frequently their lack of an answer betrays a stubborn heart attitude apparently unwilling to repent no matter what happens. But sometimes people determine that if an estranged parent phoned them tonight out of the blue, ready to reconcile, or if they were to land a job tomorrow, that would be miraculous enough for them to believe in Jesus. That opens the door for God to demonstrate His existence, care, and power to intervene. (from newer SA 201)
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SA Holiness

Our credentials as a holiness movement have reached their expiry date. As individuals we need to plunge into the fountain of holiness flowing from Immanuel’s veins. There is room for all. And if enough of us jump in, not only can we reclaim holiness movement status, but we can get back on track in our world-winning mission.
(From the new edition of SA101)

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This is classic for Holy Week and in light of the inevitable ridiculous liberal claim on alternative gospel and some recent US mainstream media faux pas... (hat tip First Things top right)
_____
New Gospel Discovered!!
Newark, Apr. 8 (CWNews.com) - Archeological researchers in Ridgewood, New Jersey, have discovered an ancient Christian document that offers a radically new account of the founding of the Catholic Church.

The newly discovered document, which scholars have named "The Gospel of Skip and Muffy," was found in an abandoned row house in New Brunswick, New Jersey, which had formerly housed a Rutgers sorority.

Theologians and anthropologists agree that "The Gospel of Skip and Muffy" is likely to cause intense debate among Christians, forcing a complete re-examination of all Catholic teachings.

There is no possible debate, however, about the authenticity of the document. "It was typed on an IBM Selectric II," reported Dr. Ernest Litewaite, an associate professor of Contemporary Archeology at Kutztown State. "Using a Courier 72 10-pitch element." The document is believed to be a copy of an earlier statement, crafted by students at an East Coast private college sometime around 1970.

"The Gospel of Skip and Muffy" is an extended dialogue between two young theologians who take a startling new approach to the faith. The document suggests that young Christians of the 1970s generation did not accept Church teachings on some controversial moral issues.

B.F.D. Zeitgeist, a Professor of Serious Christianity at Dupont University, said that the Gospel of Skip and Muffy will force Christians to re-examine the nature of Church authority. He pointed to one key passage in the manuscript:

"The Church is-- I mean-- it's just a bunch of, like, rules and stuff," said Muffy.
"Yeah," Skip replied. "I mean, really. Hey, don't let that thing go out."
Ultraconservative Catholic officials may not accept the validity of the new Gospel. Spokespersons for the Newark archdiocese did not immediately return a reporter's phone call. But Msgr. Pius Grümbling, a pastor in Hoboken, replied to queries by saying: "OK, that's right. We do not accept the validity of this document."

But Professor Zeitgeist doubts that Church officials will be able to stop parishioners from raising questions about the new document. He cites "astonishing new insights" such as the one contained in this passage:

"Have you ever thought," said Skip, "that the solar system is just like an atom in this really gigantic alternate universe, and the planets are just, like, electrons spinning around, and the sun is, like, the nucleus?"
"Wow," said Muffy. "Heavy. And then we'd be, like, just tiny little, like, specks that you can't even see."
"Riiight," said Skip, exhaling slowly. "Far out, huh?"
"This document will force Christians to re-examine all of their basic moral principles," said Professor Zeitgeist, "starting with the outmoded and inhumane taboo that prevents teachers from having love affairs with their students."

"Or with reporters," the professor added, smiling. "Would you care for a daiquiri?"

Professor Litewaite said that he had found the manuscript of the Gospel of Skip and Muffy several months ago. "The significance of the discovery was immediately obvious," he said. "But my publicist suggested that I should wait until Holy Week to make it public."
____
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151,147

Just in case you skipped the last post, this is the number of seekers for salvation in The Army in the USA in one year.

Hallelujah!
grace
stephenC

Another rejoinder to Joiner

Some have followed the Rick Joyner blog stream in which he criticized The Army (see March 27,28 below). He said this: "The Salvation Army was once one of the greatest forces for the Gospel on the planet. It is still doing great humanitarian work, but very little spiritually."

And, while there is a lot to be said for his point, and it is helpful for us to humbly consider words like that from loving brothers in the Body, I thought it might be interesting to see, statistically, how accurate the statement is.

He's in the States. Does anyone want to gues how many seekers for salvation there were in the USA last year (these are people who are professing to having been saved)?

I would have guessed 20,000. And I would have been prepared to have made an argument against Joyner's 'little spiritually' based on 20,000 converts in one year.

But I was far off the mark. How's 151,147 for you?

In one year. In one country.

And how about 179,457 for 'other' (holiness?)! :-)

Praise the Lord! Enough? No. Wonderful? Certainly.

Hallelujah.
grace
stephenC

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

(hb2DC+AC)

Happy birthday to Wiliam Booth. Voted one of th e100 top Britons of all time, this is what the world thinks of him:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Booth

I used to think that we over-rated WB. BUt several years ago I realized that we under-rate him. This man of God was a legend. We praise God for his example and legacy.

Much grace,
StephenC

Ten Commandments

I'm not sure the popular connection between the ten commandments and Resurrection Week, but ABC is showing a brand new series called the Ten Commandments starting Monday night- I'm told it is good and Biblical.

No guarantees.

Much grace
StephenC

Don't buy Eggs...

Buy Chickens!

The Army in UK (hat tip Duncan Parker) is pushing for people who like to celebrate Resurrection Day with farm produce to invest in chickens instead of eggs.

http://www2.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-news/3F220409E6F40945802571460037AC4F?opendocument

But you're not limited to a chicken. You can get a family of chicken! Some other gifts available:

£2 – Veggie Seed Pack
£6.50 – 1 Chicken
£14 – 1 Goat
£20 – Gardener’s Starter Pack (includes a hoe, watering can and seeds)
£30 – 1 Pig
£35 – Junior school fees for a child for one year
£45 – HIV test, transport costs to a clinic and counselling
£100 – Literacy and business training for women
£310 – Family of chickens (including 6 chickens, 1 rooster, pen and food for a year)
£800 – Water well

Have a crack at it.
Much grace
StephenC

Hosanna!

Future of Civilization
____
"What will be lost, and what saved, of our civilization probabaly lies beyond our powers to decide. No human group has ever figured our how to design its future. That future maybe be germinating today not in a boardroom in London or an office in Washington or a bank in Tokyo, but in some antic outpost (!) or other- a kindly British orphanage in the grim foothills of Peru, a house for the dying in the a back street of Calcutta run by a fiercely single-minded Albanian nun, an easygoing French medical team at the starving edge of the Sahel, a mission to Somalia by Irish social workers who remember their own Great Hunger, a nursery program to assist convict-mothers at a New York prison- in some unheralded corner where a greathearted human being is committed to loving outcasts in an extraordinary way." Thomas Cahill. HOW THE IRISH SAVED CIVILIZATION. p217.
____
There's the clarion call for the greathearts to love extraordinarily.
Grace
stephenc

Knowing God's voice

How do you know God's voice?

Read Major Doug Burr's article in the new JAC (top right)!

Much grace
StephenC

April 9, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

The Salvos in Hong Kong are part of an ecumenical group that is raising educational sponsorships for mainland Chinese children. It is only $30 cdn/year per child. The excellent thing is that a Bible is included in the educational package.

This is a massive incentive in that there aren't too many Bibles floating around China. Yet there is a law allowing each person a Bible for personal use.

Don't try to fill this out online (we will soon have a feature on armybarmy) but you could print this off and send it in:
Back To School Project Sponsor Registration Form
(For New Sponsor )

____
Surname Given Name (Mr. / Miss. / Ms.)
Address :
Tel.1 : Tel.2 :
Email :
No. of students to sponsor:
Amount ($30 x No. of students) : $
Remarks :
Payment method ( Receipt valid for tax deduction )
° BY CREDIT CARD
Credit Card : ° VISA ° MASTER ° AE
Name of Card Holder:
Credit Card Number: - - -
Credit Card Expiry Date :(mm-yy) -
Signature of Card Holder:
° BY CHEQUE
Payable to “ Hong Kong Christian Council ”
° BY BANK-IN DONATION
Please mail the pay-in slip with this form to us.
Hang Seng Bank : 295-8-030567
HSBC : 181-6-052599
Date :
____
Details at http://petefooter.blogspot.com/
Much grce,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

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

(hb2HD)

Here is an idea for you- USE Territory is thick in the BE A HERO Campaign:
http://www.salvationarmy-usaeast.org/resources/tam/Official_Website/hero.htm

Maybe it is something you can contribute to or steal for your front...

Much grace
sec
posted by Stephen Court

latest JAC

Have you had a chance to find out Who Are We? (Sandercock-Brown) and Are We A Metaphor? (Castle)?

They are stitting, waiting eagerly for you, at JAC (top right).

Grace
StephenC

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

Happy 100, Azusa Street.

Look, I know there is disagreement on the actual day (April 9 seems popular) but praise the Lord for 100 years of Pentecostalism, symbolized by the Azusa Street revival that started this month a century ago.
http://www.azusastreet100.net/history.htm

...Send the Fire.
Much grace
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

The power of History.

This is from an article on an Asian Salvo history project now underway:

"We need to help people feel proud of our movement and its achievements under the direction of God the Holy Spirit, Just as the Acts of the Apostles inspired and motivated the Early Church, we should be looking for an understanding of our history that will highlight the mighty work under God that The Salvation Army has accomplished.

"When people truly believe in their movement, they become bold and courageous enough to attempt the impossible. These are the sort of people who built our Salvation Army and the sort of people we need today."
Major David Woodbury, THE OFFICER March/April, 2006.

Amen.

Much grace
StephenC

Demo of the Week

There is a new demo of the week out, by Michelle Kay (famous SA worship leader down under). It is called SALVATION SONG and has a lead sheet for you to use on Sunday morning.

Much grace
StephenC

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

Captain Don Miller turns 89 today. He led the corps for a decade, years before it became my first appointment. He retired there. We used to hit 9-11 pubs with War Crys every Friday night. At first I thought I'd have to 'carry' this old guy in these rowdy surroundings. But then we got to the first place.

Captain Miller worked the crowd like it was his family, and then plunked down on the piano seat and began plunking out some gospel honky tonk for the appreciative patrons. I learned a few things that night.

I started a second congregation at the corps aimed at younger people (if you were at the original congregation you'd know what I was getting at). So we started a band - high standards- the guy who had a drum set became our drummer, and so on. Anyway, it was loud, and the youngsters seemed to dig it. We practised a bit and had our first public meeting. Old Captain Miller showed up and sat in the back row. I was concerned about how he would react.

At the sounds of the first blaring chrods, he walked out to the foyer and I thought we'd lost him. But he limped back in with a tambourine and proceeded to beat the hell out of it for the rest of the night.

At the end he shook my hand and blessed me, though he did note that he'd be supporting the new congregation in prayer from home from now on.

The corps hit some hard times and has been closed. But God did some exciting things there over the years, saved some people, sanctified some people, called some people, deployed some people, and so on. It will have a place in my heart (it was both my grandfather's and my first appointment).

God bless Captain Miller and the old comrades of the Campbellford Corps, today.
Much grace
stephenC
posted by Stephen Court

Blogospheric Update

Hi- this is just a brief update on some thing you'll want to check for yourselves today...

"Do we want to see the Salvation Army be as vigorous and effective as the early days? Then we have stop complaining about the short comings of the “Army” and start focusing in the completeness of our “Salvation.”" Juan Reyes, weighing in on the PS Blog (top right). You've got to read those comments!

EPITAPHS BY THE FOUNDER- Eric Himes's blog for some classics by WB.

http://www.electralyte.net/ - this Salvo band has just released its first CD- Breakout. Enjoy.

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/059fpgrn.asp - This is Paul Marshall on how it goes for those who leave Islam in countries around the world.

Meanwhile, JAC is flying high- why not check out the Andrew Bale offering Stillborn or Still Glorious? (top right)

Much grace
StephenC

White Winged Messanger Flies off into the sunset. RIP

In Canada, anyway.

There was a short Happy Birthday article on The War Room in the current War Cry (Canada). This is notable because this is the last issue of The War Cry in Canada.

We're talking about more than 120 years of faithful service (this must make it one of the oldest magazines/newspapers in Canada). If last year's results were average, we're talking about 10,000 or so converts. But I am guessing that these numbers were low (from memory, from shrinking sales, from shrinking territory, and from shrinking influence). It is easy to imagine double that number of converts- 20,000 people going to or already in heaven right now because of the faithful Gospel-telling of The War Cry. Hallelujah.

Why did we change names? Well, I blogged on this fairly recently (search archives). But a decade or so ago when UKT switched around a bit and made The War Cry the evangelistic periodical (my memory of events) our territory went the opposite way and made The War Cry the 'insider' periodical (and christened the evangelistic mag FAITH AND FRIENDS). A decade or so later, we're copying UKT and making our 'insider' periodical SALVATIONIST. F+F has shrunk to a mini-insert in the insider mag (by the way, THE EDGE, the much-acclaimed teen magazine, shut down and has been replaced by sendthefire.ca).

In the shuffle, we discarded the most well-known periodical name in Army history.

A suspect that a decade ago the cause was market research. I hope that today the reason wasn't embarassment.

There is lots of good stuff in Faith and Friends and The War Cry (soon to be Salvationist). If we use them effectively we'll see a lot more people saved, God grant it.

You can read up on the replacement of The War Cry at salvationist.ca.

Much grace,
StephenC

our local front

Some are interested in what is going on at our local front. On the main page of armybarmy there is a link to some stuff on philosophy and so on (growth chart and wheel...). But here is a new page on personnel and specific fronts of Vancouver's 614 War: http://www.614network.com/vancouver/index.html

Much grace,
StephenC

April 5, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Salvationist Tom Quick has a SA music radio show you can access here:
http://www.legerdesheilsaw.nl/awnl/webcast.htm

Have you read Commissioner Wesley Harris's Souvenirs of Salvationism (parts 5,6) in the new JAC (top right)? If so, make sure to go back to the two most recent JAC issues for parts 1-4.

(hb2LW)
Much grace,
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

April 4, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

Justice update in The Army...

In the last 20 months or so, about 4,500 people have responded positively to the call for heroes (BE A HERO Campaign is aiming at 10,000). Aside from the children's homes and praying the Bible and hero holidays and child sponsorships, one of the five commitments is advocate for the marginalized. In Australia, they actually started The Salvation Army Justice Wing. Salvos are being mobilized to leverage our reputation to bring about justice around the world. The Army worldwide is tackling human trafficking. Operation Desert Rose, out of IHQ, is targetting the 10/40 window.

On a micro-level, my friend is heads up the human trafficking SA work in our division. Illegal aliens are being rescued. A Salvation Army soldier, a lawyer, just took a job in the PMO (Prime Minister's Office- this is similar to working in the White House) as justice consultant. Meanwhile those 4,500 salvos are each standing up against injustice where they live and fight (and sometimes, beyond those fronts). Students in the Holy Session (The War College) have just formed a body called TAKE JUSTICE, and are winning the ears of government leaders. Meanwhile, individual prostituted persons and homeless drug addicts are being rescued, saved, and delivered in cities across North America, every day.

It's something, isn't it?

Don't forget to read JAC- how about doing Salvation Army worship today?
Much grace
stephenC
posted by Stephen Court

Salvationist

Thanks to Salvationist for the informative farewell interview with General John Larsson (R) here:
http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-issue/9F925B9CA42B761680257142004044AA?opendocument&id=B2F2BAACA16C956580257142003D5D6D
grace
stephenC

April 3, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

hat tip to Jonathan T for these SA band shots:
http://www.satiche.org.uk/vinbbp/photo450.jpg (and five or six on this page, to http://www.harrogate.co.uk/harrogate-band/vbbp-us4.htm).

We have a new General. Now is a good time to renew the old SA tradition of praying for the General and our comrades around the world with grace at lunchtime. We do it here. If you do it where you lie we'll cover it all in prayer around the clock.

Don't forget to read JAC- see if you can handly Major Shade's Godly Ambition.

Much grace
StephenC

Posted by: armybarmy / 6:28 AM

April 2, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

We officially have a new General, today.

Hallellujah.
Overheard from neighbours: I might go a few days without a visitor. They don't go a few hours (refering to my family).

Community.

(I know it isn't perfect since the neighbour doesn't get the visits all the time, but part of that is choice...).

grace
stephenc
posted by Stephen Court

50 years of holiness...

"It is over 50 years ago that I received the baptism and I loved and loved and loved until it seemed to me I would nearly die of love, and I wept and wept and wept and sorrowed to think iI have ever sinned against my blessed Lord. And that baptism has been an abiding blessing and has given me power to continue unto this day, loving and serving God and my fellow-man, and to do it gladly." - Samuel Logan Brengle

Hallelujah.
Much grace
sec
posted by Stephen Court

Sanctification in Conversation

It isn't too often that you talk about sanctification in daily warfare these days. I'm reading Brengle now and it strikes me that that was the main solution to whatever difficulty his correspondent faced (that's why I usually say that holiness is the solution to every problem).

Well, my comrade John Norton wrote a piece on the subject back in the 2nd issue of JAC. Yes, read the current issue, but mine the archives (JAC top right) for treasures like his issue 2 Sanctification article. Over at Matt Clifton's blog (top right) there is a discussion on the article that has unearthed the author (not that John is some mystical personality, but he doesn't make too many appearances on the Internet these days...).

Much grace
StephenC

from 1st Things (top right)

“In 1974 [Algerian President] Boumedienne, the man who ousted Ben Bella three years after Algerian independence, spoke before the General Assembly of the United Nations. And without circumlocutions he said: ‘One day millions of men will leave the southern hemisphere of this planet to burst into the northern one. But not as friends. Because they will burst in to conquer, and they will conquer by populating it with their children. Victory will come to us from the wombs of our women.’ ”

And, 30 or so years later, the most popular baby name in Brussels is Mohommed, more religiously Muslim babies are born in Paris than ethnically French ones, and Mark Steyn has renamed the continent Eurabia.

I guess, in some ways, it makes evangelism more convenient...

grace
stephenc

JAC IS UP (top right).
grace
stephenC

Clifton and justice

I'm excited to hear that Commissioner Helen Clifton is heavily involved in justice issues. This makes her imminent role as World President very strategic.

God unleash her against hell's forces in Your superior power for the salvation of the world, please.

Much grace
stephenc

Sin in the camp?

This weekend, General Larsson retires. God bless him. This weekend, General (elect) Clifton assumes international leadership of The Salvation Army. God bless him.

This is how we might appropriately kick off his term, by considering his challenge:
____
"This High Council has mandated me to ask: If God is withholding numerical growth from parts of the Army, why is that blessing withheld?

Rather than discussing strategy, method ceremony or even identity, I have a deep sense in my heart that God wants us to follow the example of the Old Testament prophets when they sensed God's blessing was being withheld. The prophets went to God's people asking: Is there sin in the camp? Now that is a very difficult and pointed question. One has to be very tender and sensitive before even raising it, but perhaps God is saying ever so gently and ever so lovingly: 'I love you, Salvation Army, but would you please look within and see if there is sin in the camp and if there is anything that causes the blessing to be withheld we must deal with it.'

Some issues will be personal to individual Salvationists, others will be corporate. I would like to find a way as General of being a catalyst and put that biblical question to Salvationists. We may find that as we draw nearer to Him, Closer to Him in purity and righteousness, the blessing begin to flow where at present they sometimes appear to be withheld."
____
grace
sec

March 31, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

It is now only hours until the new JAC is out. For those who can't wait for something to read, go to http://www.primitivesalvationist.com/perspectives.html and chacek out Danielle's thoughts on What Does It Mean To Be Called, and enjoy the other udpates at that site.

Much grace
stephenC