Armybarmy Blog

Benedict on Islam.

There was much ignorant news of the Pope's quote last month that elicited mayhem from Muslims. What has recieved much less coverage was his follow-up this week. John Cullinan at National Review (bottom right link) breaks it down. The whole article is interesting, but this paragraph might help those just tiptoing into this whole issue:
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The upshot is that purely theological dialogue between Christians and Muslims is pointless, if not counterproductive. Whatever its other attributes, the most fundamental elements of all orthodox Christian thought are Trinitarian and Christocentric; and these are precisely the same elements that orthodox Muslims necessarily find blasphemous on the one hand and idolatrous on the other. What’s more, sharia jurisprudence plays roughly the same role in Islam as systematic theology in Christianity. That’s why purely theological dialogue inevitably mixes apples and oranges. But basic disagreement over the nature of God in no way precludes discussing how best to coexist peacefully in a pluralistic world. That’s the meaning of Benedict’s September 25 exhortation in favor of “sincere and respectful dialogue, based on ever more authentic reciprocal knowledge which, with joy, recognizes the religious values we have in common and, with loyalty, respects the differences.” In other words, it’s possible to share — and discuss — certain religious values without sharing religious truths.
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grace
stephenC

Giving it all up...

Wow. I've been challenged and blown away by people's response to God's prodding over this past week and a bit. First a friend snuck out of a meeting with a cell phone in his ear. I gently chided him for missing the preach and he humbly corrected me that he left to phone the guy to whom he felt compelled to give his expense instrument (I think he wanted to pphone and confirm it so that he couldn't change his mind on the way home).

Then, the preacher challenged us to empty our wallets for the anti-human trafficking struggle, and modelled by example. But he also let slip that maybe emptying your wallet wasn't enough and that God might be wanting you to empty your bank account. Well, praise God, someone did (quite a hefty amount).

Finally, I hear today that a young guy gave away all of his possessions except uniform and two changes of clothes.

!
Speechless.

Much grace
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More saytunes.com

Look at those guys over in California. Now they're giving a free all-expense-paid trip to San Francisco for AGGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY CONFERENCE in October! All you have to do is register and tell them why you want to go and you might get picked. I'm assured that you proximity to SF has not bearing on your likelihood of scoring the free conference (so, all of you Brits and Aussies and Kiwis and... read carefully!).

If you win, look me up- I'll be there, God willing.
grace,
StephenC

September 29, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

He is risen!

This is the International Weekend for Prayer and Fasting for Victims fo Human Trafficking in The Salvation Army world. People all over the place are doing all knds of things for it. Guys at our corps are praying all night tonight (10pm-6am).

Doug Burr has a nice blog for the weekend (US Blogs on right) on Psalm 10.

Hey- praise the Lord! Three people got saved at the open air meeting today! I know it isn't trendy to do open air meetings these days in the West, but we're looking at five in the last three weeks. If other strategies aren't working that great, maybe it would be worth a try?

God is here.

SA daily Bible reading: Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12.

Much grace
stephenc
posted by Stephen Court

September 28, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

He is risen!

Of the DVDs/CDs you can order that I blogged yesterday, there is one unique one- Saturday morning. What makes it interestsing is that there is music on it. Iam guessing that copyright and royalty issues prevent music making the other DVDs/CDs. But this one is an exercise of Harp and Bowl. And it features Soteria with Marty Mikles led by Danielle Strickland. It is a treat to watch spiritually and musically in-tune musos experimenting in this way (AND it includes a rough version of Soteria's new son Holy Spirit Move In Me). So, there.

Some students are blogging and if they're consistent we'll add them to the roll:
http://www.xanga.com/dawniedoon
Remdawg95.blogspot.com
a couple already on the BC list, and from North Carolina...
www.xanga.com/littletexan18
www.answerthecalling.blogspot.com
www.xanga.com/THAWESOMEST
more to come...

God is here.

SA daily Bible readings: Zech. 1-3; Luke 11
Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

Assorted

ACC (Aggressive Christianity Conference) in Melbourne last week was a high tech affair. As soon as you finished preaching you exit the hall and the've got your preaching on the TV to promote the DVDs they sell after each session. And you can order DVDs of ACC yourself!

Bulletin:
ACC06 DVD's and CD's are now available.  For Officers and Corps, there is an Officers Interact pack with sessions from Commissioner Knaggs, Major Campbell Roberts, Captain Danielle Strickland, and Phil Wall.

Here are the speakers:
Phil Wall, Stephen Court, Danielle Strickland, Campbell Roberts, John Cleary, Rev. Tim Costello, John Evans, Commissioner Knaggs, Brendan Nottle

Here are the deals:
Evening Rally Pack- All six (6) evening rallies- $40.00/$50.00 (CD/DVD Aus$ - note, DVDs are Aussie friendly - PAL?)

Battle Pack- All morning rallies, aggression sessions and evening rallies + Tim Costello- $90.00/$120.00

Total Pack All sessions- $100.00/$140.00

ACC07:Others pre registration special of $70 for adults, $50 for youth and $30 for kids until the end of December. Contact kylie . collinson @ aus . salvationarmy . org

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some blogs...
"Praise God! The students had their first open air with the same sort of success experienced early on in London England. One lost soul found rest and deliverance in Jesus Christ! May this be the first of many! (from thewarcollege blog)

"I've already seen a man brought back to the bleeding Lamb and sobered and cleaned up during prayer. Hallelujah, thank the Lord for freedom!
"Man there is something so refreshing about sharing and living in community. Especially in terms of confession to one another. Also in terms of sharing the possessions we have. (youll want to keep an eye on that Ian Smith- sharp insights on that blog)

"Thursday night was knee-drill. What an amazing experience. Those that go to Territorial, knee-drill is like our Thursday night praise night, but even better. For those of you that haven't been to Territorial, it is basically like a Sunday night praise service, but like 100 times different. (Matt E.)
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http://www.eveningbeaches.blogspot.com/ is spouting out some intriguing stuff...
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grace
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September 27, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

He is risen!

God is here.

So, http://thewarcollege.blogspot.com/ is now up. There is no name attached (it is not me) but I am led to believe that a leader is presenting this. It gives you an inside look at the Vancouver campus. Good stuff.

At a conference last week our poster for the Incendiary Session (September 07- August 08) was stolen. That is a sign of it's attractiveness.

And, for those interested, and along the theme of this blog, with the new God's Fellow Workers Session, there are now War College graduates fighting as cadets in CFOT in four territories around the world. Hallelujah!

SA daily readings: Haggai; Pslam 129; Luke 10.

Much grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

September 26, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

(hb2SFS+AL K)

He is risen!

Elaine has been keeping us in the loop for the last week- thanks, Elaine. We love your blogging. Keep it up!

There is a new demo of the week fresh up today called KINGDOM COME by Chris Tidd. Check it out on the front page for armybarmy.com.

Elaine also sent you to stophumantraffic.com for this weekend's big prayer focus.

Those of you who were at ACC in Melbourne- welcome. Rich times. The war is on.

God is here.

Much grace,
StephenC

Release the Captives:
Sept.29-Oct.1 is The Salvation Army's International prayer and fasting weekend to combat Human Trafficing. If you don't know much about this global crisis it's time to become educated. Take time to read about The Army's engagement in this front and how you can become an active agent for establishing God's justice here on earth.
Go to stophumantraffic.com.
Be a participant this weekend. Gather your friends and instead of going to a movie or just hanging out take time to pray. There's a prayer guide on the website that will help you along.
Shalom
Elaine G

Daily Reading: Ezra 4; Psalm 113, 127; Luke 9

Treasure Wisdom
I love Proverbs 1 and 2. Listen to some of the gems that are uncovered for us there:
"My son or daughter, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
For if you cry out for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding...
Then you will discern the fear of the Lord."
(Proverbs 2:1-22 -read the whole thing in your Bible.)

I work with a lot of people whose lives have been devastated by bad choices. Over and over again they have chosen a path that leads to death rather than life.
When I was younger I did exactly the same thing. I often rejected the wisdom that my parents had taught me. I rebelled against God's command and did whatever I liked. These things always looked good to begin with. They were fun, exciting but in time I often ended up feeling dirty, guilty and empty.
I remember one thing in particular. My mom didn't want me going to dances. I bugged her until finally she said, "If you want to go fine, but you go without my blessing." So I went over and over again to dances. Eventually - not too long into it I ended up drinking and involved with guys in an unhealthy way. This went on for probably a couple of years until I returned to the Lord and repented of all the stuff I was involved with because it was killing me spiritually and robbing me of the destiny that God had for me. My mom's wisdom was right. I just chose to reject it.
Years later I went back to my mom and dad a repented for rejecting their wisdom and dishonoring them. I went and washed their feet and blessed them as my parents. They had given me a Godly, righteous inheritance that I had sold like Esau but in grace the Lord allowed me to reclaim it through repentance.
Many of us have been given the treasure of a Godly, Righteous Inheritance. Let's not blow it on what doesn't satisfy.
I see daily the devastation of bad choices and walking down paths that lead to death. Beware! Be on Guard! Keep to the narrow path that leads to life.
Shalom
Elaine G

DAILY READING: Ezra 2-3; Luke 8

It's day 2 of the Days of Awe. The next 8 days (there are 10 Days of Awe) are used for contemplation, prayer and reflection. It's a time of preparation for the Day of Atonement.
Much of the Bible contains physical acts to convey a spiritual meaning. One of the activities during this fall feast period is to allow the Lord to identify areas or acts in your life that you need to repent of. Then go to a place where there is water and throw pieces of bread into the water. Each piece of bread symbolizes a sin in your life that you are repenting for and asking God to forgive, cleanse and heal. Usually there are some birds around who come and eat up your bread deposits symboizing that He removes your sin from you.
Sometimes we do the same exercise with rocks because our sin can be so weighty.
Don't be tempted to read this and think,"that sounds good" or just file it away. Actually do it. You'll be surprised how God meets with you in this action.
Shalom
Elaine G

Daily Reading: Ezra 1; Psalm 84-85; Luke 7

SOUND THE TRUMPET
The trumpet blast sounds the alarm to get our attention and wake us up from the mundane pattern of our lives.
SO here's a trumpet blast - =========
Right now is the beginning of the Fall feasts that the Lord made known to the people of Israel during their time in the desert. See Leviticus 23 for more details.
The first of the fall feasts is Rosh Hashanah - or the feast of trumpets. The trumpet is sounded to alert the people that the day of atonement is approaching - 10 days away. During this time the people make themselves ready through self examination, repentance, making restitution to those they have wronged. It is a real time of cleaning house or temple...
This is a great spiritual discipline or exercise for us all. Take these next 10 days of awe - following in the pattern or blue print set by the Lord for His people and engage in some serious sanctification.
Take the next 10 days to shake yourself out of the old and re-establish yourself in the new!
For more information you can google "feast of trumpets" or see bridgesforpeace.com/modules.php?name=news&file=article&sid=2144
Shalom
Elaine G

DAILY READING: Daniel 11-12; Luke 6

DAILY CHALLENGE
How about doing a random act of kindness today?
I was hanging out in the Provincial Courts today. Talk about a harvest field ready for reaping. Any way I saw before me countless opportunities for random acts of kindness. It could also be called mercy evangelism. Do the kindness and you never know what opps will be presented to talk about our favorite person - Jesus!
Shalom
Elaine G


DAILY READING: Daniel 9-10; Psalms 23; Luke 5

DAILY CHALLENGE
Take time today to be STILL with Jesus. Be quiet. Settle your mind so that it is not filled with an endless list of things to do. Lay everything down. Now go and meet with Jesus and ask Him these questions, "Do you love me?" , "How much?" "What does you love for me look like?" "What do you love about me?"
Don't deliberate the answers. Allow Him to speak to you by His Spirit for His sheep hear His voice.
Hearing the voice of Jesus speaking to us is true life.
Yesterday I was exhorting a friend via email. At first I wasn't going to do it but then I bit the bullet and did it. When I finished and walked away from the computer I heard Jesus say, "Thankyou." It really sunk into the core of my being. I had never heard that before from Him and it so touched me in the depth of my being. It was satisfying to my soul.
I hadn't stopped to be still with Him but this brought me to stillness.
Shalom
Elaine G

DAILY READING: Daniel 7-8; Psalm 137; Luke 4

DAILY CHALLENGE
Great word from Aaron regarding blogability. So here's a challenge for the day. Instead of blogging some intimate details of your life this week find someone today to share your thoughts, feelings or struggles with.
If you are being tempted in an area go and confess it to a trusted friend. Then pray together for God to forgive, cleanse and heal you in this area.
Then blog a testimony about sharing with your friend. Tell how it felt talking to a person about your thoughts, feelings or struggles instead of telling your intimate stuff to a screen. DON'T share the personal details of what you discussed just what it was like to interact with another person in real life.
Practice today creating authentic Christian community right where you are.
Shalom
Elaine G

DAILY READING: Daniel 5-6; Psalm 130; Luke 3

Blogability

I don't quite understand why blogs have become THE place to expose intimate and sensitive thoughts. I have noticed it with students and with the teens I work with. Stuff they would never share in an open meeting they happily throw onto a blog, which is PUBLISHED ON THE INTERNET!

I think it is a question of intimacy. A blog gives us the illusion (and it is illusory) that whatever the ramifications of our online revelations, we are at least one step removed from them. It is me interacting with a computer screen, not really with the real live humans on the other side of that screen. The screen is an intimacy buffer, kind of like the screen in a confessional booth.

What does this do to relationships, to community? If everyone finds a place to divulge personal stuff, but that place also allows them to theoretically distance themselves from their personal stuff? Why do people have such a hard time being transparent IRL (in real life)? Can we have authentic Christian community without transparency?

As for me, I tend not to blog about myself because I can't imagine why anyone would be interested in the mundane details of my life. And I have other places to share and confess personal stuff, places that don't get PUBLISHED ON THE INTERNET!

Grace,

Aaron

FRUIT TEST
Last night I was doing the nightly rations with my kids and we were talking about the fruit of the Spirit.
We took some time to do gazing prayer where we asked Jesus what our fruit looked like and what fruit He was growing in our lives at this particular time. Some times He focuses on just one area of our lives for growth. We also asked if there were any bad fruits that were growing that he wanted to cut out of our lives. Our question was focused on that day - Did we do anything that day that was bad fruit and then we repented of it.
This is a great exercise to do at the end of the day. It's a spiritual inventory. that helps keep us focused and clean.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against these there is no law. Galatians 5:22
How are you growing?
Shalom
Elaine Gillingham

DAILY READINGS: Ezekiel 47, 48; Luke 2

PASSION
I've been stirred lately by the writings of Jim Elliot. He was a young missionary to the Auca Indians in 1956. He and his evangelistic team were savagely killed while trying to introduce the tribe to Jesus. In later years his wife would return to this people group to continue her husband's work of introducing these lost souls to the Messiah.
Here's a prayer from a book of excertps of Jim Elliot's diary, "Shadow of the Almighty", "Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me." (p. 59) GOOD PRAYER... Another of his heart's cry was, "Lord make my way prosperous, not that I achieve high station, but that my life may be an exhibit to the value of knowing God." (p. 13)

Jim's life is an inspiration. From a young age he set his heart on pilgrimmage and never looked back. He's an example to us today.
Thank the Lord for such as these who show us how to walk the narrow road.
Shalom
Elaine Gillingham

Daily Bible Reading Ezekiel 45,46 Luke 1

Hi- I trust you all hit groundedworship.com to see a kicking Salvo band and their new album ARE YOU READY?

Here is another brand new album- PASSION FOR SOULS by Cloudy House Music (guys from SA outpost PraiseWorks!).
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Passion For Souls is our first release under Cloudy House Music. We started at the beginning of the summer and finished it in August. It features songs written by Lincoln Hawk and Mark Hood, with MArk handling the producing. We were able to call on a bunch of our "sally" friends to play, sing, and engineer in order to get it done, which was a HUGE blessing. God was definately opening doors for us. We did most all of the recording in Mark's home studio. We did live drums with Chris Taylor at Crossroad studio. Linc's song "Die Everyday", as well as all the mixing and mastering were also done there. C.T. is sooo cool!! The artwork, which I think is fantastic, was done by Fulton Hawk, who also set up this my space. Anyway we had a lot of fun making the record and we hope it helps ya to worship well!

Band Members: Mark Hood, Lincoln Hawk, Jeni Berea Wallace, Blaine Mateo, Kenny Green, Manny Ramos, Troy Griffin, Paul Duke, Ace, Anthony Begonia, Bradley Barker, Victor Leslie

Song Titles
1. United
2. Grace of Your Heart
3. Passion for Souls
4. This Moment
5. Take All off Me
6. Through Me
7. The Only Way
8. As We Bow
9. We'll Abide
10. I Will Praise Him
11. The Devil Can't Have Me
12. Die Everyday
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grace
stephenC

September 17, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

He is risen!

Ah, the rubber hits the road on the declarations. This is a tough one today. My friend Rowan emailed me awhile ago, brainstorming about stages of simplicity. Roughly put, they range from having a lot and not sharing, through an ordinary lifestyle punctuated by moderate engagement with necessities and some attention to the poor, to a radical reconsidration of what is a necessity that includes minimalising and scaling back and a big commitment to the poor (he actually has one more stage- that of owning nothing).

I wonder if this is a simplicity stage cycle, in that we work our way down to the penultimae level (radical reconsideration) that transforms our worldview on the whole issue such that we find ourselves back at having a lot...

Does that make sense? We keep cutting and simplifying, and scaling back. Then we experience a crisis (maybe we go on a hero holiday and visit the widow and orphan in their distress) that helps us to see that all our scaling back really just leaves us still having a lot and not sharing much. So we start the stage cycle again, living more simply and investing more in the poor...

It is easy to get into a groove.

I am privileged to live in a Christian community with some slum brothers and sisters who are about at Rowan's ultimate level of owning nothing. They are a constant challenge to me. I live in tension on this issue. And I think that it is good for me to live in tension on this issue.

All of this prefaces the next declaration. When you read "all... I can" please don't read it as 'whatever I can spare in my wallet after all the bills are paid and I've enjoyed a weekend of indulgence'. In this context, a tithe (ten percent) is merely the beginning (though required).* We are challenged here to run through Rowan's simplicity stage cycle again and again, re-assessing our lifestyle in light of the masses rushing, with VERY little, to hell (did I blog the Bovine Standard? our generation's sequel to the Cab Horse Charter? Every EU cow gets L2.20/day. It'd be nice if 3/4 of Africans now lacking that kind of luxury could enjoy what the cows do).

"I do here declare that I will spend all the time, strength, money and influence I can in supporting and carrying on the Salvation war, and that I will endeavor to lead my family, friends, neighbors and all others whom I can influence to do the same, believing that the sure and only way to remedy all the evils in the world is by bringing men to submit themselves to the government of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Beautiful. I know of no covenant more hardcore than soldiership. Look at it. Not only do you go as hardcore as possible with your time and strength and influence and money but you do all you can to get everyone else you can to go as hardcore as possible with their time and strength and influence and money.

And it makes motivation clear. No soft and fuzzy 'liberalism' here. It is to get everyone saved (the only way to remedy all the evils is to get all the evil-doers saved).

God help us live up to covenant.

*William Booth: "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 eight, and then to a fifth, and a fouth, and eve 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."
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Daily SA Bible readings: Ezekiel 42-44; Revelation 22.

God is here.

Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

UNSUNG

(hat tip Joe N)
This week the western world took a deep breath over the fifth annivesary of the terrorist attack on New York. With this event in mind, Hope Productions Presents "Unsung" - A provocative film about The Salvation Army’s unique ministry role at Ground Zero. PROVOCATIVE FRIGHTENING INSPIRING EMOTIONAL EDUCATIONAL UPLIFTING...
AVAILABLE TO YOU FOR SHIPPING, HANDLING AND REPRODUCTION COSTS ONLY! $5.00 per DVD (USD)
(Our only desire is to get this unique message out there where it belongs) Fax:     1-808-440-1969
E-mail: joe@revolutionhawaii.com
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cheers.
grace
stephenC

Another declaration

From the older version...
"I do here declare that I will never treat any woman, child or other person, whose life, comfort or happiness may be placed within my power, in an oppressive, cruel or cowardly manner; but that I will protect such from evil and danger so far as I can, and promote, to the utmost of my ability, their present welfare and eternal Salvation."

This is probably a good example of why there is a newer version. It reads a little patriarchical. Again, though, it goes beyond being a good person or a good parent or a good employer and redefines that concept (good ____) as someone who is doing everything she can to get people under her influence saved and blessed while on earth.

Awhile ago it was vogue to call The Army a church with a plus (the idea being that we don't just worship on Sundays but we ideally live it out in measurable-read social services and justice- ways through the week). In a similar way soldiers are claiming to be Christians with a plus- not merely savd by the skin of our teeth but commited to being positive difference-makers in the lives of everyone we can influence. This is courageous Christianity and I know it throws off some of our more academic and some of our more casual types. It takes such covenanted commitment to win the world, I expect (degrees and caj Christianity will never make it).
grace
sec

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

He is risen!

The Salvation Army's international prayer and fasting weekend against human trafficking is right around the corner and you'll be wanting to gear up your corps for events and focus. Our corps is doign an all-night-of-prayer.

There is a brand new SA website on this subject that I urge you to visit, disseminate, and bookmark, called stophumantraffic.com. It will prove a useful resource for the fight to which all of our international leaders have called us.

SA daily Bible readings: Ezekiel 40,41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21.

God is here.

Grace,
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posted by Stephen Court

grounded

groundedworship.com is your source for the new, album by The Army's Maritime worship group, GROUNDED, out of Halifax Citadel. It is called ARE YOU READY?

Check it out. These guys sound like the radio. My favourite song is RISE UP (we sang it at territorial last year) by DD (whose father levitated). There is something about salvo worship that shares our DNA and drives us to intimacy and then to mission in a unique way. That in itself is enough to make you a fan. But it's not all.

This is definitely worth the investment. AND, they do gigs...

Much grace
stephenC

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

He is risen!

(hat tip to Richard M for this):
William Booth said in a letter written October 10, 1886:

"Bramwell wrote to me last week, saying that it is the experiential realization and definite teaching of the blessing of Holiness that alone can make us different from the other organizations around us.  I say Amen.  And only this, it seems to me can justify us in having any separate existence at all."
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Amen. Do many still even believe in holiness? We do, out here in our tiny corner. And the National Commander said that we need to be leaders of holiness (I just heard him say it...)...
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If you'd like to hear the former Chief of the Staff, current USA National Commander on podcast, check out
http://pd.global.playstream.com/uswvideo/progressive/sotw002.mp3?dl=true
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SA Daily Bible reading: Ezekiel 28,29; Psalm 145; Revelation 20.
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God is here.

Much grace,
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

From Best of the Web (bottom right blog roll).
This is one taste of why it is the best...
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We called yesterday for new conceptions of God, to add to the four cited in a Baylor University study, and you did not disappoint. Here's a full list. The first four are Baylor's, the next three are ours from yesterday, and the rest are new:
Authoritarian God. Angry at earthly sin and willing to inflict divine retribution.
Distant God. A faceless, cosmic force that launched the world but leaves it alone.
Benevolent God. Sets absolute standards for man, but is also forgiving--engaged but not so angry.
Critical God. The classic bearded old man, judgmental but not going to intervene or punish.
Totalitarian God. He is everywhere, and he is watching you.
Multitasking God. Answers prayers by phone, fax and BlackBerry, all at the same time.
Noncommittal God. Loves his children, but isn't "in love" with them.
Passive-aggressive God. "Go ahead, sin if you want to. Don't worry about my wrath."
Obsessive-compulsive God. Washes his hands of us hundreds of times a day.
Narcissistic God. Worships himself.
Codependent God. Enables us to sin so that we'll need him.
Dyslexic God. "For he so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Puppy . . ."
Hypothermic God. "Many are cold, but few are frozen."
Hippocratic God. So powerful, he thinks he's a doctor.
Jewish mother God. "My children--I gave them life, but do they pray?"
Common-law God. Since the beginning of time has assumed sole responsibility for Godlike acts, but has not legally been established as "God."
Customer service God. "Press 1 for the Father, 2 for the Son, 3 for the Holy Spirit."
Unitarian God. Nice enough guy, but doesn't really seem to believe in himself.
Progressive God. Has outgrown the simplistic belief in his own literal existence, considers himself spiritual but not religious.
Liberal God. Commands man to "be fruitless and divide"; is completely self-absorbed yet doesn't believe in himself; wants you to stop sinning but doesn't have an alternative; can't stop yelling, "Satan lied, people died!"
Peace activist God. He's sending you to hell, but he supports the sinners!
Cindy Sheehan God. Wants George W. Bush to tell him what "noble cause" his Son died for.
Darwinian God. Possessed of an exquisite set of irony, he has divided mankind into two groups: those who believe that the most powerful biological force is the tendency of a population to be dominated by its most quickly reproducing members, and those who are actually reproducing.
Planned Parenthood God. One Child is enough.
New York Times God. Is angry only when people question the accuracy of his publication or his wisdom in divulging secret plans devised in the hearts of men.
Reuters God. "One God's terrorist is another's freedom fighter."
Rush Limbaugh God. "Talent on loan from me."
Hippie God. Must have been on something when he created the world.
United Nations God. Reaffirming that you are a sinner, he calls upon you to repent and decides to remain actively seized of this matter. If you ignore his call to repent, he will call upon you to repent again.
CIA God. Knows everything, but lacks the resources to process and analyze it.
George W. Bush God. Responsible only for evil.
Sports God. Similar to Distant God, but occasionally intervenes when a big play is needed.
Hertz Rent-a-God. He puts you in the driver's seat.
Avis Rent-a-God. He tries harder.
Enterprise Rent-a-God. He'll pick you up.
Visa God. He's everywhere you want him to be.
MasterGod. Priceless.
American Express God. Don't leave home without him.
Budweiser God. This God's for you.
Windows God. Plug and pray.
Google God. For those who are always searching.
Frugal God. Jesus saves.
Chairman God. Sets the agenda, but doesn't get involved in day-to-day operations.
Micromanager God. Not a sparrow falls but he needs a report on why, with guidance on what to do about it.
Soccer God. How about a pray date with his Son?
Schroedinger's God. Either exists or doesn't, and the act of looking changes the answer.
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grace
sec

September 14, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

He is risen!

hb2djs

Kaivata 07- January is the Tri-Territorial Youth Congress in Fiji (for Aussies and Kiwis...). Deatils on our front page...

The eloquent Anthony Castle (right side blog roll) has tihs farewell to the neighbourhood: "Over the past year the Downtown Eastside has been a tragically unforgettable place. Its almost unbearable to live here and simultaneously heart-rending to leave. I believe 'bittersweet' is the appropriate term."

covenant...
Ecclesiastes 4: "And don't make rash promises to God, for He is in heaven, and you are only here on earth. So let your words be few. 3 Just as being too busy gives you nightmares, being a fool makes you a blabbermouth. 4 So when you make a promise to God, don't delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to Him. 5 It is better to say nothing than to promise something that you don't follow through on."

Some use this verse and similar ones in the New Testament to argue that we shouldn't covenant. But that isn't at all what Ecclesasiastes is saying. It makes two points:
1. don't make rash promises to God.
2. it is better to say nothing than to make a promise you don't fulfill.

Now, some of you have made rash promises in your soldiership covenant. It would have been better for you to have said nothing. My big brother never became a soldier as a mid-teenager, partly because all of his friends did. That is, they jumped into uniform so that they could go on the next band trip and made rash promises that many of them have broken. My brother followed the Biblical advice here and said nothing.

Look how this speaks to the two points:
a. So, we agree that we shouldn't make rash promises. But this says nothing at all about a reasoned, prayed-up, determined covenant of soldiership for life with God through The Salvation Army.
b. But that doesn't make my brother a hero (although he is a good guy!). It just makes some of his friends 'blabbermouths' and 'fools'.

While it is better to say nothing than to rashly promise, it is even better to make a godly promise and fulfill it. I mean, specatators and television watchers say nothing on record. There is nothing noble in that silence.

Of course, it takes guts and conviction to promise. That's part of the attraction. We're not called to some lame membership like Blockbuster Video or the Public Library, to which we can belong if we're breathing. We're called to something romantically heroic, something that may likely cost us our lives (as it has cost some of our valiant, fallen comrades).

The difference in cost leads to a difference in effect. Your public library and video membership card will help you accomplish very little in life. But your covenant with God as a soldier can help you accomplish world conquest (and for you doubters, it can still help you get heaps of people saved who are currently going to hell, breaking generations of demon-captives, and re-working much of the furniture in heaven).

In light of these conclusions, the next Articles of War declaration is a pretty easy read:

"I do here declare that I will not allow myself in any deceit or dishonesty; nor will I practice any fraudulent conduct in my business, my home or in any other relation in which I may stand to my fellow men; but that I will deal truthfully, honorably and kindly with all those who employ me or whom I may myself employ."

I mean, again, this is basic Christian stuff. I wouldn't want to hire anyone who couldn't sign this statement. Neither would I want to work alongside or live with such a person (one who couldn't sign). These are basic statements for people with the guts to put their word on the line and promise God in such a way that He can count us to fulfill the promises.
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SA daily Bible readings: Ezekiel 26-27; Psalm 110; Revelation 19.

God is here.
grace
sec
posted by Stephen Court

September 13, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

(hb2KW,JG,RL)

It is official. And you heard it here first. SAY TUNES is now officially up and running -saytunes.com. SAY stands for Salvation Army Youth and the site is a music site with heaps of interactive options for you. You can download, vote, upload, play, all salvo music. Good times. Can I strongly invite all of you under 25 or so to take a long peek there, please? More than that, take the plunge. Props to the USW Minister of Propaganda for another major score.
----
next item: One of our guys was criticized for his discipling methods. What were they? we asked. 'He tries to get his converts to go cold turkey on sin.' Hmm.
____
next item:
www.neosalvationarmy.blogspot.com is the new incarnation of Cory Harrison. He tried to come in under the radar, but... and,
You may want to check out this Salvo PeopleSheep blog for some juicy Jewish-type stuff: www.peoplesheep.blogspot.com
----
More Articles of War declaration midrash:
"I do here and now declare that I will abstain from the use of all low or profane language and from all impurity, including unclean conversation, the reading of any obscene book or paper at any time, in any company, or in any place."

This is a natural fruit of integrity in your life. It is not a matter of internally tightening the cranks and bolting the lips to protect yourself from breaking this promise. Ephesians 4:29 instructs, "Don't let any unwholesome word come out of your mouth but only what is profitable for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear."

This instructions flows out of a long grocery list of social instructions from Paul. You might infer that it IS, then, a matter of taping your lips shut and toughening it up. But the whole section in chapter 4 begins with 'Therefore'. And Paul is building on his famous apostolic prayer for these people, that,

"according to the riches of His glory, He may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through His Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:16-20)."

Once we get rooted and grounded in love and filled with the fullness of God, then it is natural that we, "abstain from the use of all low or profane language and from all impurity, including unclean conversation, the reading of any obscene book or paper at any time, in any company, or in any place."

Now, Jesus was tempted as we are, in every way. If He had fast internet He'd probably run across some of the devil's stupid options for flirtatious and pornographic sites and pictures. This is possibly the most insidious temptation for a lot of Christian types, because it is private. So, don't be stupid about your internet use. I know guys who have totally screwed up on this point. Don't put yourself in position to be messed up if that is an issue for you. The better response, though, is to get to know the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ so that the temptation is removed.

This is an important issue. We want to be a pure and spotless bride decked out in Army boots that we use to stomp all of the devil's jugular. That means we need total purity, in our conversation, innuendo, and our language.

Why promise it? We're stepping apart. We're putting ourselves on the line. We're positioning ourselves so that God can trust us with His power. We're not going to try. We're going to take God at His word and actually obey.
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SA daily Bible reading: Ezekiel 33-35; Revelation 18.
Much grace,
stephenc
posted by Stephen Court

a few you'll like:

1. Ian Smith's juicy Railton quotes;
2. Captain Sandercock-Brown's article in http://www.salvosmedia.com/pipeline/2006/pipeline_08aug2006.pdf
3. the 500 strong protest by salvos in Sydney (same address).
grace
sec

Listening in on a holiness conversation...

(Here are some tidbits from an email exchange between two keen salvos on SA understanding on holiness)...
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euroSalvo- So explain to me what you mean by 'sin'. I have no intention of sinning, God forbid, but the older I get, the more sharply aware I am that in all the details of loving kindness I could do better - in little acts of kindness and focus on the needs of another, on how I choose my words of speech - they could be expressed more gently, less judgementally, more positive, less unnecessarily confrontational - I am constantly struggling into growing more and better into 'being' the welcoming face of God to others. I am still praying for a repentant heart so I will grow in these areas, even years after my life changing experience of sanctification - so what do you mean by sin? Is it not sinful when even a single word fails to meet God's standard of lovingkindness? It surely grieves him. Never mind I need my whole manner of speaking to others reformed! You see what I am saying? So how do you grow if you hold nobody ever sins after sanctification? Where are you coming from on this?
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sc- I use Wesley's definition of sin properly so-called: voluntary transgression of a known law of God.

Some of the other stuff you mention fits his definition of sin improperly so-called.

Growth accelerates in the sanctified person because, as the 1940 HoD explains, the sanctified soul has no struggle within but fierce conflict without.

That is, if your natural inclination to sin is neutralized, you're only confronting the enemy (and some would add the world).
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esuroSalvo- So you mean you are confronting the enemy but not your inner self?
----
sc- yes. Sinful nature cruxified/neutralzed (two translations) in sanctified soul (e.g. Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20...).
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euroSalvo- So how can there be two kinds of wrongdoing?
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sc- yes- intentional and unintentional.
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euroSalvo- And what happens to repentance, say for hard-heartedness and carelessness with words or actions?
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sc- William Booth said man's consecration must keep pace with God's revelation.
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euroSalvo- Do I reflect and consider, in order to grow in holiness, or only respond to the Holy SPirit if I'm zapped over it in a conflict?
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sc- Soldier's O+R features a hardcore test for self-examination that some soldiers do daily.
----
grace
sec

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

He is risen.

Here is a bit more from the undertakings of the old Articles of War:

"I do here and now declare that I will abstain from the use of all intoxicating liquor, and from the use of all baneful drugs, except when such drugs shall be ordered for me by a doctor."

I know that this is the one that gets the 'grace' crowd all riled up.

I'm not exactly sure what the big deal is about. I don't want my son drinking alcohol. And I'll have him promise me not to do it. I won't settle for something like this: "Father, I'm not going to drink very much alcohol," or "Daddy, I won't drink any beer but I might do the occasional drug." I'm going to expect him not to drink and not to do drugs. I see no debate on this one at all.

If he keeps his promise I can trust him. If he doesn't, I can't.

Now, the bigger picture...

Covenanted people are widely admired and generally outstanding in their effect.

group context characteristics
Samurai Last Samurai sacrifice, simplicity...
Jedi Star Wars set apart, disciplined, loyal
Scots Braveheart citizenship, belonging
Myrmidons Troy training, loyalty
30 David heroic
freedom fighters Matrix sacrifice, revelation
Death and Glory Booth-Tucker elite troops

It is also the nature of an army. You can't be in it unless you commit. And if you don't commit, you can't be counted on in battle. All the more does this apply in the spiritual warfare in which The Salvation Army engages.
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SA Daily readings: Daniel 3-4; Pslam 81; Revelation 17.

God is here.
grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

"Gifts"?

I guess I have a minority view on spiritual gifts. I just figure that once Holy Spirit fills you, He can give you any grace/favour He wants. I'm led to believe some disagree with this poition, strongly. So, here are a few thoughts, in response, based on the text used to dismiss my argument, 1 Corinthians 12 (this is NASB):

For starters, when I look up gifts in verse 1, I find that there is no such word. All we have is Pneumatikos, or 'spirituals'. Then in verse 4, 'gifts' turns out to be charisma, or favour or grace. These words are very unlike every other 'non-spiritual gift' appearance of the word 'gift' in the New Testament (dorea/doron/Eulogia).

 4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.

sc- so if I'm filled with this Spirit, the source of the varieties of favours, I have in me the Source of every favour.

TNIV has it like this: There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.
The MESSAGE has it like this: God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit.

sc- From a warfare perspective say your 'gift' is discernment and you are alone facing a demonized person. I'm all for community such that we work together for the common good, but it is a bit ridiculous to think that Holy Spirit in you will allow you to discern the kind of evil you are facing but not allow you the 'gift' of kicking the demon out. Or, from another warfare situation, let's say your 'gift' is evangelism and you are alone facing a dying person. Do you think that Holy Spirit in you, Who distributes all the gifts, gets frustrated, wishing He had given you 'healing' on 'gift' distribution day? Or, do you think, just maybe, that the Source of the favours/graces might be able to distribute healing to you right there on the spot?

 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

sc- oh wait! The same God works ALL THINGS IN ALL PERSONS. hmm.

 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

sc- I could repeat my comments above related to the specific good.

 8For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

sc- did I miss it? Where is the part where it says Holy Spirit gives you a 'gift' (or does you a favour) once for all? Where does it say that this is your gift for life and that's all (or, your 'gift cluster')? The preceding verses (8-10) could easily be read as temporary, as situation-specific, as overlapping, as repeating, and even as playful (think of Wisdom at creation in Proverbs 827-31, esp.30; or think a circle of five surrounding Holy Spirit and nine graces to share...).

 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

The MESSAGE is like this: All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.

sc- the big point here is AS HE WILLS. Or, as Message renders it, "He decides who gets what, and when'. So, it turns out that it isn't up to us, anyway (beyond our obedience to His command to eagerly desire these spirituals/favours/graces, especially prophecy- 1 Corinthians 14:1).

sc- Maybe Peter has it right in Acts 2:38 that the Gift IS the Holy Spirit. If so, then maybe the proper response the the old question, 'what's your gift"' is "Holy Spirit." I love that. I've got the Whole Shooting Match (Greek name for Holy Spirit- joking). This ties in nicely with our SA concept of fullness (props to JM).

grace
stephenC

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

He is risen!

My friend wept while reading the 1950 O+R for soldiers this weekend (the part about loving your comrades).

SA daily Bible reading: Daniel 1-2; Revelation 16.

Those following along on your personal illuminated copy of the Articles of War will note today that I'm backing up to the old version for a few undertakings. It is the one that the majority of soldiers living today signed. And it will prevent some overlap down the way.
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"Therefore, I do here and now, and forever, renounce the world with all its sinful pleasures, companionships, treasures, and objects, and declare my full determination boldly to show myself a soldier of Jesus Christ in all places and companies, no matter what I may have to suffer, do or lose by so doing."
----
I suspect you could write a book generating commentary on this declaration and invest a life in actually trying to live it out.

God's character is such that what He commands, He enables (that is, He is not a jerk God commanding the impossible so He can punish us for failing to live up to it). And so, our understanding of holiness is reflected in intention and not performance. The argument for legalism in the articles of war is plausible but falls where we recognize intention instead of performance.

This declaration separates us from every pansy Christian who disgraces the Holy Spirit by declaring that (s)he sins every day. How can God trust someone who intends to sin every day? How can you trust such a person at your shoulder when you go to war? No, I am going to trust a covenanted warrior who declares a full determination boldly to show herself a soldier of Jesus Christ in all places and companies, no matter what she may have to suffer, do or lose by so doing.

That sufffering bit is going to come into play with a new course at The War College (term 3) led by the legendary warrior Michael Collins called MARTYRDOM 309.

God is here (and there is joy in this place). :-)
grace
stephenC
posted by Stephen Court

new book...

William Booth in Canada
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Between 1886 and 1907 William Booth, General of The Salvation Army, made six visits to Canada. He did so for various reasons: to boost the morale of the new Territory, to promote his ‘Darkest England’ scheme, and to convince Canadian politicians of the value of his emigration plans. For Canadian Salvationists, however, these visits were opportunities to see and hear their leader, who had become one of the world’s leading evangelists. They were not disappointed.
His magnetic personality, platform oratory and great sense of humour enthralled Canadians — Salvationists and non-Salvationists alike. In this book R.G. Moyles not only sets the stage for the visits themselves —describing the hectic pace and variety of activities engaged in from St. John’s to Victoria— but attempts to reveal something of the personality of this great
man by capturing the essence of his sermons, sharing some of his stories, revealing his personal (often eccentric) habits and showing, through newspaper reports, what the Canadian public thought of Booth and his Salvation Army. It is a fascinating and illuminating journey.
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William Booth in Canada is available by writing to R.G. Moyles, 10852-11 Ave. NW, Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada, T6J 6H9 or by emailing the author at agmoyles@shaw.ca The cost is $15.00 per copy, with a
$2.00 shipping charge.
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grace
sec

More Articles of War...

So here is the next promise from the Article of War:

"I will uphold the sanctity of marriage and of family life."

Did you know that The Salvation Army came out with a positional statement on marriage and the family? We're in favour.

Whew (we also have one for World Peace- we're in favour).

This is my territory's statement on marriage:

"The Salvation Army believes marriage is the covenanting together of one man and one woman for life in a union to the exclusion of all others. This union is established by an authorized ceremony.

"Marriage is a unique reflection of God’s faithful love for all humankind. The relationship of husband and wife reflects the covenant of self-giving love between Christ and His church, central to a Christian understanding of marriage.

"The pledge of mutual faithfulness is not tentative or conditional. The permanent nature of the marriage bond gives security and promotes the development of a trusting relationship. The Christian community has a responsibility to care for, nurture and prayerfully support the marriage relationship.

"The Salvation Army affirms that marriage is the basis of sound family life and foundational to a healthy society.

This is my territory's statement on family:

"The Salvation Army believes the family, as the basic community in society, ought to be the principal way in which values and morality are nourished. In an environment of love and respect, children and adults find security and wellbeing. Here they are free to develop morally, spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally.

"We believe that the family is ideally rooted in the biblical concept of a marriage covenant of one man and one woman. An enduring commitment to loving care reflects God’s design for family life which allows no justification for abuse.

"The Salvation Army acknowledges that families of all types struggle, and at times fail to be communities of love. In following the example of Jesus Christ, The Salvation Army seeks to strengthen marriage and enrich family life, extending appropriate ministries of a caring Christian community to all people in all types of family relationships.

So how does it look to uphold the sanctity of marriage and the family?

- maybe to recognize and remember that these institutions actually are devoted to God.

How does it look for marriage devoted to God? Or a family devoted to God?

That question we who are married and in families ought often to ask ourselves.
grace
sec

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

He is risen!

Welcome to the Revolution Session! May you walk in the Phinehas anointing (see Numbers 25) demonstrating that you are "as zealous as I AM (YHWH)" for Yahweh's honour.

God is here.

Name of Yahweh in the War Room today: JEALOUS (Exodus 34:12-14- probably even more accurately rendered Jealous Zealot; and teamed up with Number 25:1-13).

SA Scripture readings for today: Lamentations 3-5; Revelation 15.

Much grace
sec
posted by Stephen Court

Training and the new Revolution Session

The School of the Prophets was the affectionate name of the first officer training school in The Salvation Army. It wasn't a one and only proposition, though.

"There (we)re 12 Training Home Corps within a three mile radius of the Home" (p65-), under the control of Training leaders (Bramwell Booth, SERVANTS OF ALL, p40).

Cadets were farmed out to leading-edge corps for real-life warfare training. A great idea, one lifted, we suggest from Paul's training school in Ephesus (Acts 19).

In that original officer training system were four departments: personal care of cadets; Bible and doctrine; public speaking (and reading, writing); how to fight in the field (A SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS, 1901, p64).

What? No academics?

“It was never sought to make these places of intellectual instruction, but rather of soul culture, where those who did not seek only God's glory and the salvation of souls might be separated from the rest of the candidates by trial" (George Scott Railton, GSR, p40).

It was, in the olden days, the "place where we weave the stuff of which good officers are made" (Bramwell Booth, SERVANTS OF ALL, p41).

We've stolen the good ideas of the schools of the prophets and the Acts 19 School that Paul led for The War College. We're aiming to weave the stuff of which good warriors are made in a place of soul culture. This new session, REVOLUTION session, starts tomorrow morning. We're psyched about them, coming from a handful of countries and with a myriad of experiences. Things just keep getting better, as we learn from mistakes and from others, as God reveals how we can improve things, and as we continually push the envelope. Praise God.

Much grace
sec

ACCs

In less than a fortnight Melbourne is hosting another Aggressive Christianity Conference. I've scanned the schedule and it is absolutely loaded with opportunities for challenge, inspiration, provocation, and training. If you're around, I recommend it (see from page of armybarmy.com for the official blurb). The line-up is ridiculous, with worship led by Marty Mikles and Soteria, and speakers including Campbell Roberts, Miriam Gluyas, Grant Sandercock-Brown, Tim Costello, John Cleary, John Evans, Brendan Nottle, Danielle Strickland, Phil Wall and more.

Then, in about six weeks San Francisco is hosting another Aggressive Christianity Conference. You'd think that Catherine was on to something when she preached at the first one! This one looks very exciting, as well, featuring, as it does, both a big emphasis on evangelism (yes, we'll be out there actually doing it!) and netowrking (there is a whole day on Monday reserved for it). General Gowans leads the line-up. For more details visit http://sayconnect.com/AggressiveChristianity.html .

God willing, I'll see you at both.
grace
sec

Territorial School of Music and Gospel Arts

We had opportunity (we being three of the armybarmy bloggers- Elaine, Danielle, and me) to serve at this school last week. Rich times. I can best describe the ending of Major Len Ballantine's Lord Of The Harvest, which ended the final programme, as spontaneous ecstasy. A rare experience.

There was an intriguing level of prophetic accuracy during the week, even with the rookies- Hallelujah! Major David Ivany (starttherevolution- blog on right side) summed the week up like this: "A week of miracles, inner healing, challenge, community - deep unto deep." He wrote that before the news has broken of a major healing connected with the camp- glory to God.

And there is a short video of a classic drum solo (not a kit but one drum) at the final programme over at http://tsomaga.blogspot.com/ that tragically misses the consecration testimony at the beginning and the roll off of his belt and his lip at the end.

Anyway, praise the Lord.

Daily readings: Lamentations 1-2; Obadiah; Revelation 14.

grace
sec

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

He is risen!

Here is another undertaking from the right-hand side of the Articles of War:
____
"I will uphold Christian integrity in every area of my life, allowing nothing in thought, word or deed that is unworthy, unclean, untrue, profane, dishonest or immoral."
____
This is one I inadvertantly skipped. Sorry. Maybe the point is that this modern language, while palatable, is vanilla-bland. Some of them read the same. And this sameness can make it difficult to operationalize (yes, this word is not in a dictionary but it was a word that we used in sociology, so bear with me). But here goes...

Upholding integrity in every area of my life is redundant, as to hold integrity in only some parts of my life and not in others would not be integrity but hypocrisy or dishonesty.

The rest of the promise tries to spell out what integrity looks like- no thought, word, or deed that is sinful or unworthy.

Now, this is a holiness promise. I am surprised and saddened to find that the vast majority of solid salvationists - note, I'm not talking about the slackers or pew sitters here - don't even buy that we can be holy. So, for this majority, the promise at hand must be very difficult. It requires that they organize their lives carefully, that they keep track of their thoughts and words and deeds to check, that they put a guard on their mouths, that they take their own thoughts captive, that they grit their spiritual teeth to ensure that no unclean or unworthy thought slips in and no untrue or profane word slips out.

These people are keen Salvos, effective warriors, some of the cream of The Army. But they are influenced and taught outside The Army by Christians outside the holiness stream. Tragically, there is a significant minority exception to this statement consisting of the second generation of those trained up and influenced by our own preachers and teachers who didn't and don't believe in holiness.

Of course, the solution for them is to sit at the feet of Jesus and Paul and John and SLB again, to neutralize the natural inclination to sin, to allow Holy Spirit to actually fill and animate, and then not worry any longer about every breath and thought and word and deed. It actually makes the promise something less than laughably impossible. But until then, grit away.

God is here.

Much grace,
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

Soldier 33: new SA webzine.

I'm not sure I get this completely but it looks like a handful of warriors have teamed up and patch together their blogs along with others from the blogosphere and other propaganda to keep you coming back.

http://www.lublink.ca/soldier33/

Check it out.

Much grace
stephenC

A quick note to incoming cadets...

If I may, consider this your first appointment, maybe the only one of which you know the duration. It is very strategic. You get to influence staff, your session, the one ahead of you, and the one behind you- scores of present and future positional leaders of The Army.

If you maintain an aggressive warfare stance, you'll do fine. If you get caught into the internal stuff, the devil wins.

grace
sec

which makes you happier?

I had opportunity to sit close beside someone I didn't know for several hours today. And I wonder how you feel? Do you like it more when you find our they are saved or when you hear that they aren't?

I found/find that I like it better when I hear that someone isn't saved. Now, of course, I'm happier in the long term sense that someone is saved. But to find out someone isn't saved means you get to give them some stupendously terrific news. And, in the short run, that makes me happier.

You?
grace
sec

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

He is risen!

Here is another stab at an Articles of War declaration:
____
"I will make the values of the Kingdom of God and not the values of the world the standard for my life."

At the risk of picking out specks at the expense of logs, this promise points out a temptation amongst Christian leadership. World values and standards seem to crush in on Christian leadership. They want us to conform in our structure and style and system. They glamorize the successful leaders. They intimidate us by their degrees and size and cash and flash. They marginalize us from most debates. The show disdain for our morals.

Wait a second! That happens to us individually, too! I mean, we wander through life, unblinkingly accepting (in my culture) that we dress with certain patches and names and logos on our apparel, that we dress with certain styles and appropriate flesh showing, that we drink certain beverages, that we get a college degree, that we vote socially liberal, that we save the whales and kill unborn babies, that we work crazy hours five and six days a week to rush into a handful of hours of relaxation every weekend, that we go into debt to get the nicest house and car and television the bank will allow us, that promotion in job is desirable, that we live to get more, and so on.

And yet, the Kingdom's values are usually upside down. We dress modestly. We will drink for thirst and pleasure rather than for appearances. We care more about education than a degree (and college need not factor into that equation). We're not socially liberal. We care about saving unborn babies. We - some of us I know - are employed for as short a time as necessary to pay bills so that the rest of the time can be invested straight into the Salvation War. We try to avoid debt. We look for spiritual influence in a job before its title or cash flow. We live to get more saved. And so on.

It is a big promise. How do we keep it? Yes, read the Bible, pray every day. But more than that, we need to continually challenge ourselves to ensure we haven't compromised into the shape of the world. The best way to do that (I've seen) is to get involved in a community of extremists who are engaged in this struggle, who are committed to extending Kingdom values and reign throughout the world. Iron sharpens iron.
____
God is here.

grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

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

He is risen!
____
To continue with the new Articles of War declaratoins:

"I will maintain Christian ideals in all my relationships with others: my family and neighbours, my colleagues and fellow salvationists, those to whom and for whom I am responsible, and the wider community."

Basically we're reiterating the first declaration, that we will live with Christian integrity. The first one dealt with every area of my life. This one deals with every relationship in my life. We learn from repetition.

It doesn't settle with just getting by. It aims at the very best. So we aim not to avoid an affair, but to treat women like our kid sister (honour and protect). We aim not to avoid fornication but to avoid the appearance of evil. We aim not to bring up our kids so that they stay out of jail, but that they stay into Jesus. We aim not to merely get along with our comrades but to encourage, sharpen, and bless them. We aim not only to avoid being a negative influence in the neighbourhood, but to be a supernaturally positive one.

And we just don't promise to aim at it, we promise to maintain Christian ideals. We're in it to accomplish and experience the very best in all of our relationships. So, I want my marriage to be the best one ever. I want to be the best father ever. I want to be the best corps officer, the best soldier, the best son, and so on. It's a bit whacked, but those are the ideals.

We go through this thing once. Then we sit through eternity. I want there to be no regrets at all about any of it. This declaration charges us forward from a purely private integrity to an infectious, idealistic integrity that purifies our whole circle of influence. God help us.
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God is here.

Much grace,
stephenC
posted by Stephen Court

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

He is risen!

Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
The current promises of the Articles of War for Salvation Army senior soldiers are pretty hardcore. Here is one:
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"I will be responsive to the Holy Spirit’s work and obedient to His leading in my life, growing in grace through worship, prayer, service and the reading of the Bible."

John Wesley popularised for us the term 'means of grace' (I suspect a Lutheran origin). The first half seems a little poetic (read 'redundant') but the last half is all about the personal means of grace.

Hey, look, it is wonderful for us to covenant obedience to the Holy Spirit. At the very least that means we need to hear Him. At the very least we need to wield a sword of the Spirit (the spoken word of God). That is a big covenant promise for more than a million soldiers. If fulfilled we're looking at a million fully-functioning prophetic people.

We commit to worship, one of the aims of which is to grow in grace. What kind of worship tickles the heart of God? Well, that requires a mouthful, but a start might look like this: humble, sin-free, excellent, in combination with justice (and blessing the poor). Not much said about which instruments (outside of a few Psalms!).

We commit to prayer. A commitment to prayer doesn't mean grace at meals and a little grocery list before bed time. To commit to prayer is serious stuff. What does it look like? Ask yourself who is someone you know characterized by a commitment to prayer. Then ask yourself what their commitment to prayer looks like. That is a start towards an answer. At our corps prayer hsa become exciting with the War Room, prophetic prayer, and Praying the Bible.

We commit to service. For me that is a tough one. I grew up in the middle class Army that allowed me to take much credit in personal social relationships for the great work of the Army even though I was involved in slim-to-none of it myself. And I am guessing I was not alone in the million soldiers. Let's determine not to take credit for SA service when we're not doing our share.

We commit to reading the Bible. This is not your 'daily bread'. This is something significant and consistent, something that sets direction and maintains an even keel. We've got to anchor our Wesleyan Quadrilateral on Scripture, a Scripture to which we must continually give space to speak to us, training, teaching, correcting, rebuking for World Conquest.

These are means of grace. This is how we can position ourselves downstream in the river of God's grace.

May God help us all to keep this covenant promise.
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God is here.

Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

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

He is risen!

When I was in training college my big plea to sessionmates was to call me if they were thinking of quiting. I was convinced of two things:
1. officers covenant (and soldiers) is for life; and,
2. I could persuade anyone to stick around.

The majority of my session is no longer in officership. In most of the cases, they didn't give me a chance. In others, I failed to persuade.

I still believe #1. And I still think I'm PRETTY good at #2. So if you're in that boat, fire me an email (the boat is big enough to include soldiers covenant).

God is here.

Much grace
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posted by Stephen Court

World's Strongest Man

(hat tip IPDT)
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"Bill Kazmaier towers at 6 feet 3 inches and has weighed in between 330 to 350 pounds.

"In 1979, Kazmaier won the American powerlifting championship and the IPF world powerlifting championship. He won the IPF world championship again in 1983. Kazmaier was the first person to bench press over 300 kg (661.4 lb) in IPF competition. His career best powerlifting total of 1100 kg (2425.1 lb) was the IPF and USPF Senior American record total for many years.

"Kazmaier won the World's Strongest Man title three times, in 1980, 1981, and 1982.

"When you ask the strongest man in the world where his power comes from he is quick to answer. "My power comes from the Lord. As I was about to embark on my career as a power lifter I put my hands together and bowed my head and looked up. I said `Lord, if you'll make me the best power lifter I can be, I'll be humble, down to earth , and share my talent with others. I'll also pay you back. You can speak through me, and when I'm in front of people I'll talk about you and tell them where my power comes from, how I use the power you've given me and I'll never misuse it. I'll go to work for you Lord, if you'll give me the strength.'
Within two years of praying this prayer, Kazmaier had won the honor of being called the Strongest Man on Earth.
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grace
sec

September 4, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen

(hb2pmc-party, anyway)

Welcome to the Territorial delegates from last week (bone up on the blog by hitting the archives at the top right).

We've been discussing covenant a fair bit these days with interested soldiers and recruits. It is a favourite topic of mine, as I believe it is powerful. In The Army, it has massive potential. We have possibly the biggest covenant in history. Rob Dolby says, "You can't earn God's love but you can earn His trust," speaking of the potential of covenant. That is, if God knows how you are going to behave in different situations, and the behaviour will be consistent and good, He is more likely to trust you with His power.

We've recently heard the news of some relatively young people deciding to train up to sign up as soldiers (Sr.) in The Salvation Army. Hallelujah.

Universal embrace of covenant we figure is the only way to save The Army over the next generation. There is too much doctrinal slippage these days that might play out in missional and lifestyle landslide if we don't all lock in soon.
We've written on it a lot in the past (search our JAC site or even google). And, by the say, we've got another preach up on armybarmy...

Give it some thought.

God is here.

Much grace
stephenC
posted by Stephen Court

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

He is risen!

I attended a final programme for Territorisl School of Music and Gospel Arts last night at Scarborough Citadel. A jam-packed house was blessed in heaps of ways by all kinds of gospel arts. Personal highlights included the blasting bass trombone of A Band's last piece (under BM James Curnow), the drum corps solo featuring rolls off of belts, lips, and behind the back, and the LORD OF THE HARVEST (I warned you about this last week) which received a command encore from the TC (the first ending just dragged on and on with applause and worship to God- very ecstatic).

Rich times. The theme- revolution. Now the fighting picks up.
God is here.

Much grace
sec
posted by Stephen Court

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

He is risen!

hb2IG+JP

The men of Succoth were unwilling to help Gideon and his crew with food because it was unclear whether or not Gideon was going to be victorious in battle. Gideon promised to return after taking down the two kings and tear their flesh with thorns and briers.

And he did.

Now there is a fun one to preach. Moral of the story? We need to get on the right side of judgement. Then we can actually be glad at the coming judgement instead of cowering.

God is here.

grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

September 1, 2006.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

He is risen!

For those thinking about The War College (Vancouver Campus) here is a bit of setting for you from the brief for the REVOLUTION Session:
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The Downtown Eastside is home to poor and displaced populations including runaways, prostituted people, petty criminals and drug addicts. In addition to this a disproportionate amount of this population are of First Nations descent. The DTES's (and Vancouver's) drug problem has grown steadily worse over the last decade with the most common drugs being heroin, crack cocaine, and - increasingly - crystal methamphetamine. The Downtown Eastside also has the unfortunate distinction, according to a recent article in The Georgia Straight newspaper, of having the highest rate of HIV infection in the Western world, largely attributable to the sharing of infected needles by intravenous drug users. However, the opening of North America's first safe injection site, Insite, in this neighbourhood has lowered the spread of HIV (and the number of overdose deaths) considerably, according to a recent article by the Canadian Press. The southwest corner of Main and Hastings Streets continues to be a problem as drug sellers and users frequently occupy the corner, despite recent efforts at increasing police presence at the location. A major police station is only half a block north of the intersection. The historic hotels of this area now rent out their rooms as "single room occupancy" (SROs) which provide housing for some of the most difficult people to house in Vancouver. [wikipedia.org]
614 Vancouver exists to renew, rebuild and restore the neighbourhood through ongoing relationships and intense intercession giving individuals God’s plans, hope and future. We’re winning the Word for Jesus starting in the Downtown Eastside!
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God grant it.

God is here.

Much grace,
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

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

He is risen!

The BarmyArmy is familiar with this foundation prophecy:

"The decree has gone forth that the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and that He shall reign whose right it is, from the rivers to the ends of the earth. We shall win. It is only a question of time. I believe that this movement is to inaugurate the final conquest of the Lord Jesus Christ." (Catherine Booth)

Hat tip to Major Harold Hill for the following reference:
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John Casey, in his MLitt thesis "Holiness and the Salvation Army" (Stirling University, Scotland, 2002) p. 48, sources it from
John Rhemick, A New people of God (Salvation Army USA Central Territory, 1993) pp. 202-3, who sources it from
The War Cry (UK) 21 February 1880 p. 1, when Catherine Booth was farewelling Railton and his contingent to invade the USA.
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What a great source- GSR invading USA. Nice. I think I must have originally lifted it from Rhemick while I was in CFOT in Toronto.
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We're selling some copies of IN THE FIRING LINE: A Biography of Colonel Bramwell Coles these days. It is a treasure and one available at our eStore.
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Those interested in last week's War College grad might enjoy checking out some of the BC Blogs on the right column of this screen for the lowdown. It was a God-glorifying affair with a couple of conversions - Hallelujah! - and much blessing for a session that grew immensely over the year. The Holy ______ Session sports some hard core warriors being deployed in several parts of the world. Glory to God.

God is here.

Much grace
stephenC
posted by Stephen Court