Armybarmy Blog

July 31, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

I know of an officer who sells pierce-jewellery at a new age market every week to be salt and light and a presence in the darkness, AND to raise heaps of cash for SA Child Sponsorships and SA micro-enterprise initiatives in developing countries.

I know of a senior officer (okay, a TC) who does a War Cry route on his street to try to introduce his neighbours to Jesus.

kudos to both.

I was in a session with a partner and we were to list ministry activities. His were boards, meetings, travel, etc. Mine were things like brainstorming, networking, dreaming, strategizing, praying, writing, and so on. He looked at mine and said, 'I like your list better!'

Amen.

Hang in - August 1 is JAC@50!
----
God is here.
SA DAily Reading: Isaiah 63-64; Psalm 107; John 2.
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

Winning the World for Jesus, Starting on Second Life...

For those of you who are not up on the latest crazes, Second Life is a virtual world - an internet simulation game - on which you can create avatars and "live" an alternate life. It sounds like an enormous waste of time, and surely it is, but the game has 8 million "residents" who spend millions of dollars (virtual dollars and actual dollars) every month. That would make it one of the bigger cities in the world, and there are many people who identify more with their lives on Second Life than in real life (or IRL).

So what is the response of the Catholic Church? Send in missionaries, of course!

Why not? Missionaries have been sent to a lot more dangerous places before. And you're pretty certain not to wind up with "rice Christians" as a result of this mission activity.

It's all kind of weird, but if this is where you feel called, maybe it's time to set up a Training College in Second Life. Or perhaps a 614. But remember, if it's a 614 it has to be in one of the poor Second Life neighbourhoods.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070727/
tc_nm/religion_secondlife_dc

Grace,

Aaron

July 30, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

"Speedy" Taylor, scientific management founder and guru, used to observe motor activities of people and then draw conclusions about efficiency.

This seems to be what some Christian organizations do when they hire people who aren't Christians. They've broken down ministry descriptions to motor activities and then find anyone who can do those motor activities.

For example, say a staffer normally answers phones, serves clients, and keeps reports. They hire anyone (read - non-Christian) who can answer phones, serve clients, and keep reports. But they miss the essense of the staffer's role, to win the world for Jesus. So, that staffer should be working the emergency lines giving Jesus' hope through repentance and faith to those on the other end of the line, serving clients by offering a solution to their problem through regeneration of the Holy Spirit, and reporting victories of sins cancelled, souls saved, reecruits made, and soldiers trained.

Let's hire Christians (search JAC archives for a couple of good ones on it).
God is here.
SA DAily Reading: Isaiah 60-62 (60:22 - Chronos serves Chairos); John 1.
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

Dolby's Top Ten

I pointed you to his blog (see Firecrest at right) but Tuesday's blog is classic. Here is #4 of the top ten list of Vancouver experiences:
----
4. Street ministry with Commissioner Wesley Harris - He got us invited into a private drug party where he shared Christ with the owner of an Amsterdam style pot bar. The owner was so offended that we tried to get in, that after we were bounced out he came out following us down the street angrily exclaiming " What does the Sally Ann want with my place?!"
He thought we were coming to protest or to report him, The Commissioner simply replied " We heard the coffee was great and thought we would try a cup." The owner was stunned, "What !" " You want to come in for coffee, at my place?" The commissioner said "Certainly." So the owner invited us into his private booth, and insisted on buying our coffee, while he took hits off his bong. I have never seen spiritual evangelical authority like that before and I have not since. We turned down the brownies though.
----
Hallelujah!
Plus, all of you guys who think you are out there on the edge might want to check out Noland's new irreverent blog again (I've pointed it out earlier this week, but he's got some new juice on it) - go through his irregular blog at right.
----
As the previous post suggests, harm reduction is for defeatists.
grace
sec

July 29, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

On Fe19, 2006 blog, I suggested that we should call 'harm reduction' 'sin facilitation'. Christians who really believe in the power of God must reject this philosophy regardless of title. Instead we have to commit to harm elimination.

This goes for alkies ('I'm Jake and I'm an alcoholic' is spitting in Jesus' face if Jake is also professing Christianity) and druggies (if I tell a youngester I know that those people are pumping deadly poison into their veins how on earth can I justify explaining to him that we're helping them pump the deadly poison into their veins more hygenically?).

Of course, if you don't believe that God can make you holy, you probably believe in a God who can't make you clean, either. I'm sorry for you, because such a god is a pathetic weakling, and you are stuck living a pathetic life of sin-and-confess (conversely, if God can make you holy, He can certainly make you clean).
----
On Ja13, 2006 blog, armybarmy blogger Elaine Gillingham reminisced about challenges in Vancouver: "There was the needle exchange, the NAOMI project (free heroine), the methodone clinics and other tenticles of the political harm reduction model which offered a bandage solution to a social problem whose carotid artery was severed."
----
That last line acknowledges the compassionate positioning of these humanistic approaches to drug addiction. The band aid v/ severed artery contrast exposes its futility and suggests its negative impact (by appearing to help).
----
On No4, 2004 blog, I pointed out that the National Post reported, "that BC's crime rate is 40% worse than Canada's as a whole, and my neighbourhood (downtown eastside) is 50% worse than the rest of BC!"

"Elizabeth Nickson suggests that cracking down on crime might save the lives of prostitutes who are raped and prostitutes who are killed.

"I concur.

"Harm reduction is a failure (starting at the conceptual stage). Treating the drug trade as a sickness is ridiculous.

"Many people attest to the fact that bars force your to go clean (I know there are some drugs behind bars, but I am led to believe that they are not pervasive).

"So, it is possible to get clean. Go to jail.

"Better yet, go to detox!

"Better yet, get saved!
----
On De17, 2004 blog, we ran a Winnipeg Sun Article (dated De12) that included the following points (you'd enjoy the whole article - just go to the De 17 blog):

"If the network is so concerned about reducing harm, why don't they introduce a condom exchange program? Folks could bring in a used condom (instead of dumping it out the window on the sidewalk) and, in exchange, receive two new condoms, a chocolate bar and a cigarette.

"I've wondered previously why harm reduction activists don't distribute clean sniff rags for sniffers. The WRHA could publish lists of less harmful solvents and techniques by which they can be abused more "safely."

"In an article months ago, I mockingly postulated that perhaps unrepentant pedophiles should be given a condom and safe-rape kit before being released onto our streets.

"I was shocked to learn that harm reduction activists in Cambodia actually admitted that they have counselled children as young as six in the art of servicing tourists.

"They work to build relationships and encourage change. But in the end, the only practical help they offer is instruction in how to use a condom, and how to say "please wear a condom" in English, Japanese and German (because they don't want to jeapardize relations with the brothel owners).
...
"Donna Hughes, professor at the University of Rhode Island, provides a very appropriate analogy.

"Imagine if 19th century abolitionists were willing to mute their protest against slavery in order to cultivate better relationships with slave traders. Imagine if they contented themselves with facilitating better conditions on slave ships.

"I can just imagine members of historical "harm reduction networks" distributing bottles of sunscreen to alleviate sores and cancers caused by extreme exposure to ultra-violet rays. To get close enough to the slaves, they'd have to be sufficiently non-judgmental enough not to incur the wrath of the plantation owners.

"Thank God for some folks who were willing to balance tolerance with sound judgment. Thank God for abolitionists who didn't content themselves with harm reduction.

"As I survey the chaos, crime and agony caused by today's slavery to addiction and prostitution, I'd rather take my stand with the "naive" abolitionists than the "realistic" harm reductionists.
----
So, AMAZING GRACE opens this weekend in Australia. Everyone is on the slavery abolition bandwagon. They might want to reconsider their stance on harm reduction in light of the analogy.
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Psalm 103 (classic text with a couple of takes on Salvo Songs prayer CDs; Isaiah 57-59; 2 Peter 3 (11b,12a - live holy and speed Jesus' return!).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 28, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!
(hb2ipdt)

There are some words from a song in the album SoZo that go like this:
----
Without all the sin I'm free
To live life abundantly
And in the fullness of Your love
Swims the romance of my dreams.
----
Classic song from Will Brand is SASB 534:
1.
When from sin's dark hold thy love had won me,
And its wounds thy tender hands had healed,
As thy blest commands were laid upon me,
Growing light my growing need revealed.
Thus I sought the path of consecration
When to thee, dear Lord, my vows were given;
And the joy which came with full salvation
Winged my feet and filled my heart with Heaven.

Chorus
By the love that never ceased to hold me,
By the blood which thou didst shed for me,
While thy presence and thy power enfold me,
I renew my covenant with thee.

2.
But my heart at times with care is crowded,
Oft I serve with weak, o'erladen hands,
And that early joy grows dim and clouded
As each day its heavy toll demands.
Have I ceased from walking close beside thee?
Have I grieved thee with an ill-kept vow?
In my heart of hearts have I denied thee?
Speak, dear Lord, O speak and tell me now.

3.
By the love that never ceased to hold me
In a bond nor life nor death shall break,
As thy presence and thy power enfold me,
I would plead fresh covenant to make.
From before thy face, each vow renewing,
Strong in heart, with purpose pure and deep,
I will go henceforth thy will pursuing,
With my Lord unbroken faith to keep.
----
(new tune in the non-stop THQ prayer room...)
Holiness and covenant - the two-fold ministry of The Salvation Army.
----
Nice knee drill Aaron describes below! Praise God. There is a good-sized brigade away this weekend from Vancouver and it seems that God always especially blesses us when we're short-handed. Beautiful.
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Psalm 92; Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2.
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

Pepper Spray and Prayer...

So we had an interesting Knee Drill Tonight. We are starting to meet before our weekly prayer meeting to eat together. This was our first time doing it, and as we walked up the stairs to the War Room to eat, everyone started coughing, and their eyes started watering. We couldn't figure out what was going on, but carried on eating together. It was irritating, but not to the point of stopping.

Then, from out of nowhere, a frozen water bottle was thrown up through the window, showering glass around my 2 year old son Noah. My other kids were standing there too. We ran over there and saw that Noah was miraculously unhurt, and then I ran downstairs, bent on immediate justice. When I got downstairs the guy was gone, and a couple of dealers outside were vowing that if they found the guy they would beat him up for me. I asked them not to. They also explained that earlier that day a fight had broken out on that block and pepper spray was used to break it up. So that explained the stuff in the air.

Seems like a bad prayer meeting, but it actually turned out great, oddly enough. It reaffirmed for us that we're in the thick of it, and that there is an enemy (not the guy who threw the bottle) who doesn't want us to eat together or pray together. So we decided we would have none of that, and had the kids lead us out on the streets to pray on the offensive. We later came back and shared all kinds of ways that the Lord was speaking to us through these events. We ended by thanking God for his protection and for the pepper spray and bottle. What the enemy intended for evil the Lord used for good.

So, all in all, a fantastic Knee Drill, maybe one of the best ever.

Grace,

Aaron

July 27, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

There are lots of blogs out there. People vote with their mouse. So, we're blessed at the armybarmy.com family of sites that you vote to visit here - we don't take it for granted and guys like Don Grad work hard to keep it a useful resource for you. Thanks. If you have suggestions, please write revolution @ mmccxx . net).
----
Meanwhile, five retired generals are flying into airports as we blog, hopping into cars or buses and heading to Old Orchard Beach for a historic weekend of preaching and, we hope, soul-saving and sanctifying. You can get in on the blessing by attending or by praying. One option is cheaper than the other. And don't forget (in your visit and/or prayer) the War College multi-sessional brigade that is hitting the Pier hard all week long (through next weekend).
----
Rowan Castle dropped this gem recently: "required spiritual formation should be satisfied outside of a process that guarantees ordination." He's talking about officer training and a few points arise from that remark.
----
One, this blog is of the opinion that ordaining at commissioning is several years late - almost like giving your child a card promising a bike ten years after having given the bike. I COULD follow an argument that the 'ordination' at commissioning is a recognition of ordination, but otherwise the scheme smells of fear of man. I doubt that I disagree with Castle on that.

Next, Castle is talking from the conventional paradigm. The guarantee, in my era, didn't come until confirmation of officership five years after commissioning. Now, I'm not suggesting that the spiritual formation occur between commissioning and confirmation, but I AM suggesting that we return to a system that includes a probationary period of officership before confirmation. Not even professors get tenure right off the bat.

Finally, for this blog, the spiritual formation to which Castle refers needs to substantively happen before candidates are accepted (as I'm sure he agrees). That means a few things: 1. we need to disciple people in our corps; 2. we need to give those local people real-life experience in discipling and leading; 3. COs need to say 'no' or 'wait' when candidates don't have it together (and COs need to know when to say 'no', but that is another story and helped get us to the problem we're discussing in the first place); 4. DCs need to say 'no' or 'wait' when candidates lack spiritual formation necessary for spiritual leadership.
----
Have you mad a Junior Soldier lately?
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Isaiah 50-52; 2 Peter 1 (v 12,13a suggests it is good to have salvation meetings even when there aren't any sinners as a reminder/refresher of what God has done?).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

more I missed -
Anyone who's been connected with the stuff in Vancouver will wan tto read Rob Dolby's blog (Firecrest at right).
And you'll be interested in Noland's innovation blog.
And, Olivia has a nice take, too.
grace
stephenC

blogs -
try Collinson over the last few days on incarnational/bi-vocational;
try Holly Warren (warning - graphic abortion photos): http://hollywarren.blogspot.com/
try Danielle Strickland's justice kick;
try Eric Himes's blog: http://asterisklog.com
And much, much more...
Much grace
sec

July 26, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

Alright, several items:
----
1. I just received a report from a Revolutionist War College warrior about people getting saved left right and centre. Sometimes they are sitting eating and people will come up to them and say, "I want to become a Christian!" One of their leaders is a hardcore evangelist and it is apparently rubbing off on everyone all around. Hallelujah! God, let is rub off on all of us who read this blog!
----
2. Danielle Strickland has a nicv thing going on at her blog right now. She is gearing up for national homeless week and heaps of salvos across the territory are going over a couple of nights to experience and serve. Check out her armybarmy remix blog (top right).
----
3. Some of the newer types in the barmy army haven't heard the one about the guy who signed his articles of war with blood pricked by his junior soldier pin. The new standard. Look out for the Junior Soldiers! (they're coming back!)
----
4. You heard last week about the Screamin' Black-Eyed Juncos. Here's another - the Helmeted Guinea Fowls (hat tip PM/RC).
----
5. Did you know that 90% of franchises succeed and 90% of original business start ups fail (in Australia)? We've got a network of outposts called mmccxx that is expanding - why not pray about joining the vision? Oh, and a training school. And...
----
6. I pulled what the current crop in Vancouver might recognize as the Dawn-Marie shift last night in a non-stop prayer room that is moving week-by-week across the territory. It was very well laid out and resourced. I did hesitate before flopping in the big bean bag to pray over some maps on the floor, concerned, for more than a brief moment, of the bed bugs (which are not a threat at all in that place, but have been known to attack in The War Room). :-)
----
So, if we try to get everyone we meet saved or sanctified today, what do you think might be God's tally at the end of the day?
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Isaiah 46-49; 1 Peter 5 (v10 - God of all grace!).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 25, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

So, I was reading today's texts aand it threw me back to an old line about free will/choice: free choice boils down to this - discipine now or judgement later.

We're always looking for people to open outposts, open fire, invade districts. If you are one, you can contact me.

We're also looking for recruits for The War College - INCENDIARY Session starts in September (thewarcollege.com). -- if you can hack it!

The new JAC comes out in less than a week - JAC@50 will celebrate the first 50 issues of JAC. Good times - block out some reading time for next month.
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Isaiaih 43-45; 1 Peter 4 (great stuff).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 24, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

Today in Australia Southern Territory a year of non-stop prayer kicks off. It joins a few other Salvo hotspots and the aroma rises sweetly to our God and King. We can see the day when every territory in the world is praying non-stop. Can you? If you are in a territory that isn't yet, take that as an invitation.
----
Holiness is the solution to every problem (and, It's Jesus or hell, just to pull together a couple of keepers that some like to mock). Shaw Coleman, about whom we blogged on the 15th, testifies to sanctification and fire baptism in Sunday's blog here:
http://undercoveragent.lifewithchrist.org/index.html
----
And James Thompson has some good conversion and holiness stories to tell at Wholly Holy blog, here:
http://whollyholy.blogspot.com/
----
Plus, (hat tip JT) I stumbled on to this classic Noland shot of the God Squad. You really should look it up:
http://www.joenoland.com/joenoland/Chaos_files/hearse.jpg
----
Plus, this weekend is the Five (retired) Generals at Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings. We blogged on this historic event awhile ago, and you can now attend:
http://www.oobpavilion.org/camp/events.asp
And The War College will have a crew doing evangelism at the Pier (so grab some prayer from them if you make the trip! And, kudos to anyone who can get all teh generals to lay hands on him/her).
----
Child sponsorship goes best in The Army as all the cash goes straight to themission and it is all within the Salvos. You can pick actually hurting people to help at this site:
http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/childsponsorship
----
God is here.
SA Daily reading: Isaiah 40-42; 1 Peter 3 (love 18).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 23, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

Stringer is fresh back from Bali - read his blog on the roll at right. Praise God for our comrades there. And Castle gives a book review of an important Army book - Community in Mission. Read the blog. And read the book. And things are getting worse in Zimbabwe - read up at Mcalister blog.

Did you know that there are 3.7 million people in Melbourne and probably 300,000 Christians? One in every 12. God help us.

More later (if this is too short, there are three blogs from yesterday).

A year of 24-7 prayer starts tomorrow (24/07!) in Australia Southern.

God is here.
SA Daily Reading: 2 Kings 20; Psalm 75; Isaiah 38-39; 1 Peter 2 (try 2:24 on for size - salvation, sanctification, healing).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

updates...

Thanks to Major Don Grad for the updates at armybarmy.com today. He's got a new preach up called Looking 4 Answers?
----
Ian Gillingham prays to the accompaniment of Phil Laeger and Marty Mikles in a demo of the week called Reveal The Mystery.
----
A trio of Australian SALVO conferences are plugged on the front page - Unlimited, ACC, and CONNECTIONS 07 (stay tuned for some promo stuff on ONE MISSION, too!).
----
An there is an updated blog roll to the right (as we aim to keep the roll current).
Enjoy.
grace,
stephenC

CDs that blessed me this week

A youngster I know and I were very blessed praying along with a USE resource called "With One Voice" that features a bunch of kids from Africa and America praying great prayers (the USA National Commander, Commissioner Gaither, also throws in a good track). You can get it here:
http://www.sacrossconnections.com/prayercd.html

Kathryn Ballantine's album, "Songs My Father Taught Me" (blogged back when it was released) has also been a sweet blessing in times of worship.

Oh, and Phil Laeger's "Pride and Glory, Truth and Beauty" has been beautiful, too, this week, with me (how about a nine-minute track to sink in to gaze at His beauty?).

That said, there is a new CD coming out VERY shortly, a sequel to Boundless volume 1 that you will be able to pick up at the armybarmy eStore, appropriately titled Boundless volume 2. Save up your dollars to pick up this new album featuring songs from Salvos in six territories. Some are already hits that you know and love; others are going to be used by God to bless and challenge and inspire you. Contributors include Acacia Walters-Wulfing, Grounded, The Singing Company, Revolution Ingle Farm, Lincoln Hawk, Electralyte, Karyn Baker, Erin Wikle, Joshua Ivany, the Rattling, transMission, Mark Hood, and Danielle Strickland.

grace
sec

July 22, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!
(hb2as)

I heard this weekend that General Burrows was so popular in Australia that, to adapt doctrine 1, she was an improper object of religious worship. I'm sure it was a bit overstated, but they do love her in Australia.
----
I also heard a good take on Luke 16:19ff, the story of Lazarus and the rich man (hat tip John Bevere). Those queasy about the existence of hell might not like it. But the point is this: this story is an actual incident. Jesus names two of the people - they are actual people - and talks about a 'certain', specific rich person. They recognise each other. Another interesting point is that the rich man does NOT want his brothers to join him. You can infer then that there is no fellowship or positive social interaction there.
----
Why do I mention it? 1. So we remember that hell, about which Jesus talked a lot, is a terrible place; 2. So we renew our intention to do what we can to stop people from going there to suffer; 3. So that those contaminated by bad doctrine in this area might reconsider, and apply 1. and 2..
----
Pray for souls today (Sunday) in and out of every meeting!
----
God is here.
SA Daily reading: Psalm 76 (love v2); Isaiah 36,37; 1 Peter 1.
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 21, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!
(hb2wlc)

Some people have a difficult time discerning God's will. Sometimes it is hard to hear clearly all that God has planned for us. My session mate happened upon an easier way that I have coined the Kennelly Method. Instead of asking God big questions requiring you to hear detailed answers that might get warped by distractions and other voices and hopes and misjudgements and temptations and rabbit trails and so on, just ask Him yes and no questions. That way you only have to hear one word.
----
For example, "God, do You want me to be an officer?" (yes/no) Then follow it up with more a specific question: "Do You want me to go to training college?" (yes/no) "Do You want me to go to training college this year? (yes/no). Etc. You get the idea. I hope that helps.
----
Bale blogs (right side British Isles) about GSR dropping to his knees upon meeting a new person to pray for his salvation. Nice. How about trying that out, today? Apparently it had a 90% conversion rate. If several thousand barmy army readers try it today, we could see hundreds saved before Sunday.
----
Young Munn has a good blog over at her spot (right side BC blogs).
----
And if Noland isn't controversial enough (right side US blogs) he's started an even more provocative blog which you can access from the main one (slightly irrevenent - r-rated - for radical?).
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: 2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chronicles 31; James 5 (the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 20, 2007. (updated 21st)
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!
People are getting saved. Hallelujah!
----
1.So, some years ago my buddy was given the responsibility, as atheletic director, to create the team colours and name for a brand new high school. Taking this challenge seriously (and hoping to avoid the blandly generic names high schools are known for) we did some research into wildlife local to the school area and into the person after whom the school was named. Since he was Scottish we found his kilt and planned colours and style on that. And we found a great local bird that I can pretty much guarantee has never been used as a high school team name. Oh, and we determined we'd draw from the classic US college names that have adjectives (such as runnin' rebels, fighting irish, and even the rambling wreck of Georgia Tech, noting that isn't the official name). We came up with a unique package to present to the school council of a Scottish kilt-patterned team called the Screamin' Black-Eyed Juncos. I count it as one of the best creative results of my life. My buddy presented it to the council, which flatly rejected it in favour of conventional colours and the vanilla name - Ravens.
----
1b. Listen to what the Spirit is saying... AND, if you're starting up a team, I'm willing to consider letting you use Screamin' Black-Eyed Juncos (but a free tshirt would be part of the deal). And for those of you not enamoured with Screamin' Black-Eyed Juncos, 1. check them out: http://www.imagesofcolorado.com/apix/junco5acr2.jpg and, 2. it is a step up from 'demons' (Sara S!) and devilrays (Doug B), and devils (who barracks for NJ?)...
----
2. Next in the spiritually athletic arena, Saint Joseph's Hawks. They started 27-0 a few years ago. Their mascot, a full-scholarshipped HAWK, is famous for flapping his wings non-stop through the games. In fact, my friend caught them in the 04 NCAA tournament and witnessed them at the team bus, and the Hawk was still flapping his wings. The motto is 'The Hawk will never die.' What can we learn from a non-stop flapping bird whose motto is The Hawk will never die? The Salvos will never die.
----
3. Finally, for now, yesterday's blog was on about the General's desire to open fire in 25 new countries that is blocked by a lack of dollars. Here's a lightbulb idea - how about pulling together 25 brigades of trained-up, hard-core, simple-living, zealous, passionate, covenanted, apostolic, prophetic, holy end-time warriors, strong in signs and wonders, healing, deliverance, and evangelism and slide them into these countries under the Copple Campaigning method ($5 thou and a flag) to sink or swim while employing a bi-vocational/incarnational strategy? We could pull it off for under $250G (unless the flags are REALLY expensive!). Pass it onto the movers.
----
God is here (write that down somewhere)
SA Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 29-31 (30 tells how to have your prayers reach heaven); James 4.
Much Grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 19, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

You have heard me blog about 19th C SA Indian Boom Marches - where 40 officers would head from village to village and, after soul-saving open airs got most of the village saved, leave one officer to lead a new corps and move on to the next village until there were no officers left.
----
Well, this morning I've heard that we still do this, in Papua New Guinea (where, they tell me, The Army is experiencing its biggest growth). I guess a group of Salvos go on Gospel Walks - they head from village to village with the Gospel and dorp off one at each village to start/lead outposts on the way. Hallelujah!
----
I've heard at chapel that General Clifton would like us to open fire in 25 new countries in the next five years but that lack of funds is the biggest sticking point. Surely the developed world territories globally could set aside $25 million or so (my bumber) to kickstart such an endeavour! (those of you who have say, bounce around the idea)
----
"The Lieutenant" (David Collinson) was described as a piece of furniture this morning. And my wife was installed (like an appliance?). They're enough to outfit a quarters. The congregation was reminded of the officers covenant:
----
MY COVENANT

CALLED BY GOD
to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
as an officer of The Salvation Army

I BIND MYSELF TO HIM IN THIS SOLEMN COVENANT
to love and serve him supremely all my days,

to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life,

to care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the unlovable, and befriend those who have no friends,

to maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army, and, by God's grace to prove myself a worthy officer.
Done in the strength of my Lord and Saviour, and in the presence of (the following wording to be adapted to local circumstances) the Territorial Commander, training college officers and fellow cadets.
----
Good refresher for some of us; challenge for the rest of us. However, I've not yet clothed any naked people, that I can recall (other than my son).
----
Finally, I'm told there are as many real Christians in the world's largest Muslim country (Indonesia) as there are people in Australia. Hallelujahweh!
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: 2 Kings 17; 2 Chronicles 28; Psalm 46; James 3 (J3 - wisdom from heaven is holiness!).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 18, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

1. I heard good news of a corps with a lofty goal for conversions this year that is off to a good start (hat tip JK). Hallelujah! I soldiered at a corps once the leaders of which set a goal of 365 conversions in one year! So I dutifully purchased 365 Arrival Kits (the conversion follow-up intro-discipling resource we were using at tht time). The tragedy is the we completely failed in reaching our goal. The good news is that we hit 153. Praise the Lord. And, maybe, set some goals.
----
2. Which leads smoothly to NCD (Natural Church Development). At least one territory uses it as the corps evaluation tool. The basic thing you need to know about NCD is that it is self-scored (a group of leaders from the corps rates the corps). That year our corps scored pitifully low on evangelism (scoring ourselves poorly because we didn't even reach half our goal). A Corps down the road scored (itself) very high in evangelism. We wanted to know what they were doing that worked so well, so we contacted them (as their high scores received some salvo press). It turns out they saw a handful of people saved that year, more than in recent years. So they scored themselves very high. This shows you the limits of usefulness of NCD.
----
3. new words: accelavision - (hat tip JM) coined by COmmissioner Joe Noland (I believe);
alternatype - Major Colin Corkery.
----
4. recently seen - soldier in civvies wearing epaulets on the belt. It has potential, so I throw it out to you all... (hat tip Kathleen P)
----
5. One freshly returned ex-salvo, when asked what he might miss, upon his return, said, 'liberties'. I pushed it - 'like what?' - expecting some lame response about beer or cigarettes or something. 'Speaking in tongues in meetings' was the reply. Hmm! If any of you are in that boat, not wanting to come back because of potentially missing that liberty, you can join our corps (but forget about those other 'liberties' like drinking...).
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Isaiah 32-35; James 2 (2:8 - only possible through our death and HIs blood and power - but, what God commands, God enables! - Hallelujah!).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 17, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

I came across a book by Wolfgang Simpson (hat tip David Collinson, aka the lieutenant), a guy I think Anthony Castle was blogging on awhile ago. There are lots of juicy bits, and I'll drip-feed you a few over the next few days.
----
"The Free Churches freed the (traditional church) system from teh State, the Baptists then baptised it, the Quakers drycleaned it, The Salvation Army put it in uniform, the Pentecostals anointed it, and the Charismatics renewed it, but until today nobody has really changed the system" (Simpson, Houses That Change The World).
----
We haven't been part of a house church system; ours is cell-based (there is a subtle, but, by Simpson's formation, significant difference- actually 13). But he talks about expected size of the church after X years. After five years he figures you can expect 144 people. This jumps out at me only (well, also because I'm a recovering numbers guy) because our average annual attendance in year four in one cell-based corps was 144. Praise the Lord. That said, Simpson's prediction for year six is 288.
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Isaiah 29-31; James 1 (I30:19-22 is a wonderful promise and classic take - basically, when we hear God consistently we'll trash our idols).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 16, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!
(hb2EC/JL)

The Webbs's book Authentic Fair-Dinkum Holiness is now available (try AUS trade). It is a solid Salvo, Wesleyan, Australian take on the essential doctrine by a couple that is headed to Pakistan to lead the training experience there (more on training below).
----
Checking out schools today a youngster I know was sharing the good qualities of each. He referred to one of them as The Salvation Army school. I asked why - because they wear uniforms.
----
The only public school in one district officially values 'no one truth' and celebrates that the curriculum is set by the student. Yikes.
----
One corps has multiple congregations. One of them follows another. The earlier one was hitting th eprayer meeting - the most important part - when a later meeting attender slipped in, tapped someone on the shoulder, and informed him, 'you're in my seat'.
----
I guess there was a candidates weekend recently. It is good to recruit candidates for officership - I'm all for it - if I could raise up a thousand candidates in my corps over the rest of my life, I'd be psyched (note that tehre are more candidates for officership, I'm led to believe, than ever before - just not in most of the territories of people who read this). But I wonder if maybe we could try a different strategy in recruiting. There is a lot of 'The Army needs you'. I'd like to see us go the opposite way - you need The Army. You need a means of fulfilling your calling from God. You need the training. You need the accountability. You need the favour and credibility. You need the resources. You need the system. You need the cool uniforms. You need The Army. And, if you are hardcore enough, you might qualify.
----
The countdown is on to JAC&50 - you will want to read all of the 49th issue of JAC to be up-to-speed for the celebration issue (14 days).
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Isaiah 25-28; Hebrews 13 (13:20-21 - for you).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 15, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

We give glory to God for a huge cancer healing just reported. Things were very dim, but God broke through with supernatural power and has brought complete healing in his servant. Hallelujah!
----
I met up with a hardcore salvo yesterday (epaulets on his jacket, SASB in his backpack) with two rings on his mobile phone - On We March With The Blood And The Fire - for messages; and, Soldier Rouse Thee - for incoming calls (hat tip SC - but what most made him hardcore salvo was his detour with a guy in distress to evangelise, pray, succour, and practically help in the middle of the day).
----
I was reminded in a recent preach that faith without works lies in a grave beside love without obedience. If you don't obey God, you don't love God - a very simple formulation (and test).
----
Commissioner Joe Noland doesn't want to let us all off the hook on the Larry Ashcraft 50 years blog and Richard Munn's response. Check is J13th post on his blog.
----
Follow Jesus (let's try to get some people saved today!).
God is here.
SA Daily Reading; Isaiah 22-24; Hebrews 12 (how about that verse 10b!).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 14, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

ON FIRE Mag (bottom right on blog roll) indicates that many of the large churches in Australia are led by former youth workers/leaders/'pastors' (sneak peek of the July 21 edition! not online yet). This upends conventional wisdom which states that youth leading skills are not transferable (how many Home Leaguers want to do a Friday night rave worship session?). But this article points out that the demand for youth leaders to provide dynamic, culturally-aware, adaptable ministry creates passion and skill that are eminently transferable. So, train up the effective youth leaders!
----
Holiness and covenant (Second blessing and soldiership)! Have you thought about them this week? Talked about them? Taught about them? Experienced the joys of them? Spread the message.
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Isaiah 19-21; Hebrews 11 (yesterday's clincher was 10:29 - we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed but of those who believe and are saved; today's is 11:38 - the world was not worthy of them - Capt. Doug Hammond has a keeper piece in the next JAC (JAC@50) coming up August 1 that introduces us to two of those described in v38).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 13, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

Aaron White and Jonathan Evans, two of the legendary warriors heading up some classic warfare in Vancouver, knocked off their first podcast yesterday at thewarcollege blog (right side). Now, by all means, listen in, but I know that it was their first kick at the can, too, and suspect that sequels will be streamlined a fair bit. Give it a listen.
----
And the Richard Munn innovation list garnered some email traffic. Here is one comment from Andrew Bale (who blogs off the blog roll on right):
----
2 more important ones to add to Munn’s excellent list

Revolutionising the match manufacturing industry in the UK by making ‘safety matches’ the only matches manufactured and thereby relieving thousands of workers from the dreaded ‘phossy jaw’

(http://www1.salvationarmy.org/heritage.nsf/36c107e27b0ba7a98025692e0032abaa/febeb0790e4da7508025690c0031fb01!OpenDocument)

The liberation and closure of the infamous French penal colony ‘Devil’s Island’

(http://www.sacollectables.com/devils.html)

Possibly one more… although this is said with more optimism than truth – the salvation and preservation of Wesleyan holiness once it was dropped by the Methodists.
----
And another blogger on our roll suggested that St. Francis and his friars might take exception to the claim that The Army combined social action and evangelism.
----
Can you smell the fight in the air? The war is on. Get someone saved!
----
God is here.
SA Daily reading: Isaiah 15-18; Hebrews 10 (classic chapter).
Much grace
ssec posted by Stephen Court

July 12, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

Until Major Richard Munn bows to global blogospheric pressure and starts blogging himself (okay, and most likely after as well) I will keep plugging his stuff. There is a project on the go regarding innovations in The Salvation Army (hat tip David Collinson). Here is Munn's take on the issue:
----
The Salvation Army
10 Innovations That Have Affected or Touched the Outside World

- Taking the gospel out of the sanctuary – Mile End Waste, 1865
- Brass bands for mission, recruitment and inspiration – Charles Fry and family, 1878
- Raising the Age of Consent – Maiden Tribute of Babylon, 1885
- Fusion and articulation of evangelism and social action - "In Darkest England and the Way Out," 1891
- The Red Kettle – San Francisco, 1891
- Ministry to the alcoholic – The Adult Rehabilitation Center and Thrift Store, 1897
- Holistic summer outreach to thousands of underprivileged children – Summer Camps, 1904
- Emergency Disaster Services – San Francisco Earthquake, 1906
- Empowerment of women in ministry resulting a global movement in 111 countries and over 500,000 members – The Home League, 1907
- Donuts in WW1 – 1914-18
- Deployment of influential and prominent non-salvationist citizens to further Army mission – The Advisory Board, circa 1950's
- Strategic fund raising and savvy public relations campaigns for holistic missional purposes – Arnold Brown, "For God's Sake Care," 1965
- The Canteen – circa 1980's – Hurricanes Gilbert, Hugo, Andrew
----
Praise the Lord for these and many more. If you have any to add to the list (e.g. Indian loom) please contact me at revolution @ mmccxx . net.
----
God is here.
SA daily readings: Isaiah 11-14; Hebrews 9.
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

sucking the marrow out of life.

That is the motto of a warrior I hung out with today. Nice.
grace
sec

July 11, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!
(ha2c/aw)

I've heard of a SALVATION ARMY Prayer Calendar being made. If you know of any big dates that should be added (current or historical) please fire me an email in the next day or so - revolution @ mmccxx . net). For example, on January 9, 1885, SLB got sanctified in Boston Common - that might be a good SA holiday - let's add that. And CONNECTIONS 07 is coming up fast - November 22-25 - billed teh SA event of the decade (in Melbourne). Book your slot at the http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/connections07

More soon (in the meantime, catch up on the 2003 archives or the current JAC or the JAC archives of 1999).
God is here.
SA Daily Reading; Isaiah 8-10; Hebrews 8.
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

A comment from Larry Ashcraft's blog (USA blogs, at right)

The Major has a discussion on what has changed in the past 50 years in The Army. Much of it seems to be negative. But Major Munn proves the contrarian with his comment, from a USE perspective, which I am taking the liberty of reproducing here (hat tip Majors Munn and Ashcraft - go to the blog for the complete discussion):
----
How about this for a more optimistic view of today:

- Over 30 million regularly served by TSA across the USA over the past few years
- 80,000 recorded seekers in the USA East last year
- More people attending The Salvation Army for Sunday morning worship in 2007 than 1957
- 40 state-of-the-art Kroc Centers about to be built across the USA
- 1000 kids participating in Star Search finals – and that doesn’t include divisional participation
- 100 kids participating in the Territorial Arts Ministry Conservatory every year
- 6 years of Project 117 with 100 young adult youth ministry graduates
- 10 years of the new Old Orchard Beach Pavilion Series with over 120 total cultural, artistic and gospel events
- 2 or 3 Hands On mission teams of young adults serving overseas every summer
- 65 kids every year for the past 5 years enthusiastically attending the Future All Stars Week-end
- A plethora of Roots, War Colleges, 614 Corps, On the Edge and Aggressive Christianity Conferences all around the world
- 24/7 Prayer, Prayer Walks and weekly Small Groups popping up all over the place

None of the above existed in 1957. I could go on.

Give me 2007 over 1957 any day. In fact bring on 2027 – I can’t wait to see what else is round the corner!

Richard Munn
----
grace
sec

July 10, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

War is raging on different fronts. I know of a warrior struck by harsh challenges physically (McAlister blog). I know of another with harsh relational challenges (614 Firecrest). I know of another that is in a highly dangerous missions situation. I know of another getting squeezed in to The Army's old mould (not the new one). I know another that is so desperate to know God intimately and was expressing that quite dramatically. When I tried a little caring, this person responded - "I, frankly, love it, I'm kind of a Spiritual sadist, I like the pain if it's good and builds faith and perseverence."
----
My buddy Ian has a great word (which I have heard in various form from others in our community) about honouring those who go before, like the sons of Noah who backed up with his robe to cover him up. It is a good word. We want to honour those who have gone before, recognizing that, to some extent, they were products of their time. We don't gloss over things in personal hagiography, but we celebrate God's work in and through their humanity. And, come to think of it, that seems like a salutary way of dealing with people today, too!
----
JAC@50 is coming out soon - take your last chances to pick articles to be highlighted in this festive issue (submit title and issue to revolution @ mmccxx . net). What is mmccxx, you ask? A mission to see new outposts in 2,000 cities, in 200 countries, in 20 years. Interested?
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Micah 5-7; Hebrews 7 (He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him because He always lives to intercede for them -- hallelujah).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 9, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

Veterans in the barmy army might get tired of me going back over some basics (as yesterday, and today) but there are new people coming on now and then and we can use the refreshers, sometimes.
----
If we had one preach to preach it would have to be holiness. SLB figured he preached holiness only and always and people got saved AND sanctified (by the way, do you remember the classic line from a lieutenant to Brengle? "Often when I think of Christ I think of you; Always when I think of you I think of Christ." It does not get better than that).

If that doesn't stir it up for you, you need to hear a good preach on holiness (by someone who believes in it - doctrine 10, ideally from Handbook of Doctrine 1940 or earlier).
----
But if you have a second preach to preach it should be covenant. For us Salvos, we're talking about Soldiership. Now, this throws a bunch of people off? Soldiership? Irrelevent! Soldiership - the second of only two preaches? This guy is off his rocker! (possibly)

Soldiership is heavily under-rated, usually because of poor examples (not just of soldiers but of those who make soldiers - if we don't take it seriously, then recruits won't throw their lives away for it). The legendary M_____ C_____ (current soldier - but, not to embarass him, we'll leave some blanks like the Salvos did in the old days) is a classic example of someone who takes his soldiership seriously. He knows that he is in the heat of a serious war and he lives and fights accordingly. When he calls you 'captain' it isn't a quirky title like 'uncle' or a goofy, sheepish utterance, or even an improperly formal term. It is real. He's fighting a battle. And if that doesn't make sense to you, you are not in the same world as MC. And he is changing his world - glory to God.

Soldiership is the most hardcore covenant going. So, if you are 'with' the Salvos but not IN the Salvos because we're a bit peculiar and you're holding back for something more cool/relevant/trendy/popular, you've missed the plot (I'm talking to people involved ins ome way or at least showing up regularly but who are not covenanted). You see, soldiership IS the extreme. There is nothing beyond it. If you have the guts to sign your life away in THIS covenant to God with The Salvation Army and allow Holy Spirit to empower and enable you to live it out, you are out there beyond 90% of what is out there (I'm leaving 10% for the martyrs, persecuteds, and other radicals - before you get all crazy on me that is still 100 million people if there are 1 billion Christians).
----
Oh, and The Salvation Army doesn't need you, or me. We need it. All Christians need a place to live out their obedience to God. The Salvation Army is the best. And, to boot, He might hae called you to it! So, many of us who are reading this (several thousand) NEED The Salvation Army. Let's treat it appropriately.
----
We can only be a youth movement if we are growing. Otherwise there is no leadership space for the younger people. So, if you want this to be a youth movement, like it used to be, you'd better start growing - your corps, your cell, your Sunday School class, your corps cadet brigade, your youth group, your band, etc.. That will give some younger people some space to lead.
----
modus operandi - capture, train, deploy. Simple. Proven.
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Micah 1-4; Hebrews 6 (v9 - we are confident of better things in your case).
Much grace
sec
posted by Stephen Court

Solidarity with the Poor...

Here is an open letter to Vancouver Churches from a group I'm involved with called Faith Communities in Solidarity with the Poor. It has to do with a local Church that has been told it must receive a Government permit to feed the hungry (you may remember me blogging on this before). This is a very dangerous precedent.

----
Dear body in Christ:

This is a broad invitation we are sending to friends and churches in the Lower Mainland. In a narrower sense, we are inviting you/your church to assist the 10th Avenue Alliance Church to continue its service to the poor and homeless without the City’s imposition of a “social service use” permit. However in a broader sense, we are inviting your church to engage in reflections to assist the churches, the citizens and the State to rediscover their rightful places within God’s Creation. (If you are far from Vancouver, please consider forwarding this to christian friends in Vancouver).

The issue between the 10th Avenue Alliance Church, some of its neighbours and the City has been reported recently in the BC Christian News (May and June issues) and the Truth Monthly (July issue). Since God’s purpose for the church according to I Cor 12:25-26 is that “……there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”, we need to come together and walk with 10th Avenue Alliance Church in its suffering. Despite our differences in locations, ethnicities and denominations, we are by His grace one under the same God, same Cross and the same Spirit.

The need is urgent as once set as a precedent, the City of Vancouver’s decision can possibly be adopted by all municipalities and applied to all churches. With the 2010 Winter Games approaching, real estate prices sky-rocketing, “Civil City” being idolized, rejection of the poor has been silently spreading like cancer. Neighbors are complaining even about the chili wagon which has been serving food to the homeless at Grandview Park for last 14 years. The societal trend of alienation and dehumanization of the poor and homeless is widespread and God’s people must do our part to prevent that from festering further. To help others to be informed, to reflect and to mobilize, we have prepared a more comprehensive article regarding our wider challenge and needed actions. A Chinese translation also follows in a pdf file. Please feel free to access either via this link: http://www.streamsofjustice.org/2007/06/social-vocation-of-church.html

Although some ground work has been laid, much work has yet to be accomplished by the body of Christ and other faith groups (since the City’s definition of church includes the synagogue, the temple, the mosque, etc). So I sincerely hope that after reading, you would consider helping the church by joining others in our concerted effort this summer to:
Forward this email and link to as wide a circle as possible, and/or to post it in your faith group’s website.
Encourage recipient church/groups to use the prepared article in their summer sermons/ home groups/ studies, etc... The idea is to generate a broad public awakening on the role of the church, the citizens and the state in relationship to the poor among us.
Encourage recipient church/groups to download the petition form contained to solicit signatures from those with a Vancouver address. This will be an excellent way to dialogue with one’s friends and neighbors and affirm the holistic role of the church. We will need thousands of signatures to make an appropriate statement to the City Council in October.
Envisage what a celebration/affirmation of our relationship with the poor will look like in early October and pass on your suggestions and ideas

If further info or clarification is needed, please feel free to contact us. May God bless you for your help.

In the bond of His love,

Bill Chu
Faith Communities Called to Solidarity with the Poor
----
Aaron White

July 8, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

Another Commissioner joins the blogosphere this week, and we heartily welcome the global SA content provider Commissioner Wesley Harris. We will be blogrolling him shortly. In the meantime you'll want to bookmark him and comment frequently on his contributions:
http://harrismandw.blogspot.com/
----
With the big AUS year of non-stop prayer coming up shortly, soldiers there will want to bookmark the territorial website for it all. It looks sharp and provides heaps of helps for your long overnight shifts (!):
http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/24-7
----
I heard recently a big push to tithe, and even an instruction that tithing was an evidence of radical discipleship. It is not. Tithing is the basic minimum for soldier. William Booth, RELIGION FOR EVERY DAY, vol.1. 1987, p92: “You might work out this rule on a graduated scale, beginning at the bottom with a tenth, and going on increasing as God increases… From a tenth you can rise to an eighth, and then to a fifth, and a fourth, and even further. Make His glory your joy, your conscience, your guide, and the Salvation of men, for time and eternity, the supreme object for which you live and trade and do everything else, and you will not go astray on this subject.”
----
So, if you are going to talk 'radical' get radical. Raise the bar for the floaters.
----
Reminders .
1. The Salvation Army is a revolutionary movement of covenanted warriors exercising holy passion to win the world for Jesus.
2. "The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. He shall reign, whose right it is, from the River to the ends of the earth. We shall win. It is only a question of time. I believe that this Movement shall inaurgurate the final conquest of our Lord Jesus Christ" (General Catherine Booth).
3. primitive salvationism: charismatic-flavoured, mission-focused heroism.
----
Sign up for that. Throw your life away on it. See how God changes eternity by your sacrifice.
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Psalm 100, 102; Hosea 13-14; Hebrews 5.
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 7, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!
(ha2m/d)

Today is 07 07 07, a big day for all the numbers types out there (me included). You know, perfection, and all that? My friends Regan and Jeni are marrying today - hallelujah!

And there all sorts of 07 07 07 Christian events happening. Faytene Kryskow of 4myCanada has a list of them here:
http://www.4mycanada.ca/Emails/20070704.html
One of them is the CALL (Nashville), which will be webcast live on GOD TV as details on that link explain. They are using the date to tackle the 40th anniversary of the immoral sexual revolution (hat tip Donny Melanson).
So, you may want to weigh in on the intercession, or tune in to watch online (bear in mind the time differences, of course).

God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Psalm 73; Hosea 10-12; Hebrews 4 (rest=sanctification).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

assorted...

Praise God for the miracle against more than a dozen crack houses in Charlotte (see the Firecrest blog at right), and for the defeat of the Drake (over at the Munn blog at right).

And Revolutionist War College warrior Jeremy Strain is blogging at http://www.hismightyone.blogspot.com/
Enjoy.
We shall win if we fight in the strenght of the King!
Much grace
sec

AUS non-stop prayer update

The big day is 24 / 7 (July 24) for the Australia Southern Territory to carry a whole year of non-stop prayer, one week at a time.

If you're in this territory, pull together your youth group, band, songsters, corps, and claim a week. Details are found here:
http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/STANDARD::pc=pc_61783
Much grace
sec

July 6, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

armyonitsknees.org is the non-stop prayer site for USA Eastern Territory. It looks sharp. It provides useful aids for non-stop prayer. But more than that, it provides the potential for one international SA prayer site. Instead of each territory and division and corps investing people (and sometimes financial) resources into a prayer site designed for its own people, each of these groups (territories, divisions, corps) could conceivably join armyonitsknees.org for one global Salvationist prayer website. The site could include pages for each territory involved in non-stop prayer and constituent units (divisions and corps within that territory) could have information available there. Synergistic possibilities abound. We could all learn from each other, be inspired, share helpful resources, stir one another on to love and good deeds, and provide the engine for world conquest.

It's just an idea. (an inspired one?) Check out armyonitsknees.org, pray it up, and go from there.

And don't forget to pray for the General today at lunch time.

God is here.
SA Daily reading: Hosea 7-9; Hebrews 3.
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 5, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

David Collinson, who started blogging this week (at lieutenantdave.blogspot.com), makes these four points concerning the emphases of the youth movement of The Salvation Army in AUS:
1. innovation not tradition
2. going not staying
3. worst not the best
4. commitment not comfort
----
Stimulating.

God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Hosea 2-5; Hebrews 2.
Much grace,
StephenC
posted by Stephen Court

July 4, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

I heard a few good ones this week:
1. A War College student is at a summer assignment in a tough situation. A gang member dies and her leader, a hardcore evangelist, hits up the other gang members as they visit the body. One gets saved. Hallelujah!
2. In another tough neighbourhood a lady responds to the salvation appeal by kneeling at the mercy seat. A man comes up and joins her, holds her hands, and seems to be counsellign her. A touching moment. The CO sneaks up to offer some direction only to hear that the man is attempting to close a drug deal with the seeker right there at the mercy seat. The devil is brash. And desperate.
----
You'll know that C+B editorial department has a site called sendthefire.ca. Well, the AUS youth department has just joined the ranks of the youth-targetted SA website with 2love.salvationarmy.org.au . It is brand, spanking new, and ready for interaction. Pass it on to your youngish friends.
----
Lieutenant David Collinson, the TYS in AUS, has started blogging. He has a reputation for doing everything with quality and excellence and so we expect that his blog will be worth engaging regularly. You can find it here:
lieutenantdave.blogspot.com
----
What are your fave articles from JAC issues 11-40? Send titles (with issues) to revolution @ mm cc xx . net to help determine the JAC@50 issue coming August 1 (unless Jesus comes first).
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: 2 Kings 15-16; Hosea 1; Hebrews 1 (have to love that).
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 3, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!

I've heard that one creative Candidates Secretary has crafted this catchy phrase in recruiting candidates for officership:
whoever
whenever
whatever
forever.
Who wants to sign up?
----
Commissioner Wesley Harris asked Commissioner Joliffe, one-time ADC to William Booth, what was the secret of Booth's success. The answer? He believed in hell. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it (merely a turn of phrase - don't smoke).
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 26-27; Isaiah 6-7; Philemon.
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

Off to Teen Camp...

I'm off to teen camp in a few minutes. I'm glad to be going, even though the theme for the week is Pirates or something. *Sigh* The lengths I go to for these teens...

Speaking of teens, I took a 16 year old from our teen cell with me to City Council on Thursday (along with some other 614'ers) to speak out for the homeless. The issue was the Olympic promises. Part of Vancouver's winning Olympic bid involved a promise that the legacy of the games would be social housing. In order to actually house those living on the streets (and not in shelter beds, or even just 100 square foot SRO rooms filled with bed bugs), 3200 housing units will need to be built in the next 4 years (800 a year). This was a recommendation put together by a group representing the three levels of govt, VANOC, BC housing, and poverty advocates. Everyone agreed on it, which is amazing.

But then at Council they wanted to add in an amendment to the effect that while everyone wanted this to happen, they doubted there was enough money to do it. This would render the recommendations meaningless. In reality, it is not just a matter of money, it is a matter of will. As my friend pointed out to the Council, if we can spend multiple millions on putting on some games (and giving the VANOC workers 44.5 million dollars in bonus money), then presumably we could spend some money on new homes.

So my teenaged friend and I, along with around 30 others, went to speak to Council on behalf of our friends who could really use a home.

While we were speaking, our mayor left the room. I was angry on my own behalf, but particularly for my teenaged friend. She takes the time to come down, sits through 6 hours of pretty boring council talk, believes that people might actually listen to what she has to say, and he could not even bother to listen. He came back for the vote, which went exactly as expected. They affirmed the recommendations, and then said there was no money to pay for it. Nothing will change. The promises will not, as of right now, be kept.

Pray that I would be able to pray lovingly and effectively for our political representatives in Vancouver.

Grace,

Aaron

July 2, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!
Holy Founders' Day!

Now, you'll note that the apostrophe is after the S in Founders. It used to precede the S. And then people realized that there were two founders (not one - WIlliam, and not three - as the Year Book strangely suggests). So the apostrophe moved (hat tip Commissioner Wesley Harris). Commissioner Harris showed me a photograph of a dedication stone for a church in Ninfield, Sussex from 1871 that notes, "this stone was laid by Mrs. Catherine Booth, assisted by her husband Reverend William Booth, founders of the Christian Mission" (for those not up on their dates the Christian Mission became The Salvation Army in 1878). It is nice to see that "assisted by her husband" bit, too.

The date marks the first preach at Mile End Waste (try googling "Mile End Waste" with "Salvation Army" for more; or, for an alternate take, "Mile End Waste Blessing"). And, I'm led to believe, Founders' Weekend is becoming a big deal in some cities. Over at Box Hill, jam-packed crowds met to celebrate the weekend with international guest speakers. This should grow (again).
----
I heard Colonel Robin Forsyth ask a classic question based on Acts 1 at the salvation meeting last night: "What do you intend to do with the power of the Holy Spirit?" Nice. Is it just about juicy stories and wacky experinces (I say 'just' because I do want to levitate, fly, raise dead people, heal all diseases, kick all demons, etc.)? Or is it about hunger, obedience, and fullness? Forsyth's is a good question.
----
God is here.
----
SA daily reading: Psalm 115,116; Isaiah 4-5 (4 is intriguing - especially v5,6); Jude.
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court

July 1, 2007.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!
Holy Dominion Day! For those outside Canada, this is the day Canadians celebrate the birth of the country, based on Psalm 72.

More on Aaron's book - Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Kingdom. I saw it online advertised, rather loftily, as a commentary on Matthew. That is overstating things a little bit but it is certainly legitimate to call it a commentary on Matthew 13. It walks us through the Kingdom parables in an engaging manner. I recommend it. Aaron's written some good books (FUTURIZE, REVOLUTION, HITCH-HIKER'S GUIDE TO THE KINGDOM). The two authors, Russell and Aaron, get to preach all over the place, and if you get a chance, you'll be blessed if you go to hear them.
----
I've just finished watching Captain Andrew Bales's 'reinstatement' sermon - you can too at his blog.
----
Captain Michael Ramsay sports a sharp Captain's high collar over at his blog to go along with some sharp content.
----
My youngster friend informs me that I should tell you that, "God loves you; God also doesn't want you to glitter around the earth."
Good word.
----
God is here.
SA Daily Reading: Isaiah 1-3; Titus 3.
Much grace,
sec
posted by Stephen Court