Most Important

What's most important to you? Someone? Something? A value, like truth? A feeling, like security? What do you really love?

If you had to choose one of these , which would you choose and what would you choose in the category?

What we consider most important is actually quite revealing.

Imagine now what's most important to God. If you go by what He is willing to sacrifice for what is important to Him, reconsider how important you are to Him. He sacrificed His son for you and me to have life. That makes us very important.

Now what does that mean to us? It makes me want to live up to His expectations. His expectations start with holiness.

1 Peter 1:15 (MSG)
"As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness."

Box Hill Corps

Tonight, Carolyn and I were the guests of the great Box Hill Corps who conducted an impressive Leaders Appreciation Dinner. They were thanking the local officers and programme leaders who make the whole corps work. It is a blessed group and I believe they are honoured to have Major Winton Knop as their Corps Officer.

At the moment, they have five worship services each week and minister to a membership of 500-600 people. Hallelujah!

Our Army is blessed to have such great corps in the territory. God is blessing the ministries there with abundance and joy. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by. It'll be worth it.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (MSG)
"And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience.
¹³ Overwhelm them with appreciation and love! Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part."

Order 614 Graduation

Tonight was the Order 614 Graduation. We have some of the most amazing young adults in the Order. They passionately love the Lord and are making a difference in Melbourne. They work hard, study hard, and pray hard. They're winners and each one of them makes me proud.

Interested in serving Christ? Really serving Christ? Give a year...get a life! Contact Major Brendan Nottle here in Melbourne and get ready to live!

I'm thanking God tonight for the Order, for those who make it work, and those who were saved tonight to the glory of God.

Isaiah 61:4 (RSV)
"They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations."

Light Fm 89.9

Now this is a good radio station. I met a fine programming consultant there today, recording a few things. It turns out he was at the Commissioning meetings. You never know who's going to be at these great events. The consultant is well saved and witnessed to my heart. I thank God for him.

There were others there who weren't saved. Did we present the gospel in convincing ways? Was our witness compelling? Did we demonstrate the love of God in terms that were clear? I hope so. There were many at the mercy seat. Some of them did understand. Hallelujah!

We just have to be ready to share God's love in and especially out of the meetings. I want to be ready. Are you with me?

2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)
"preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."

Commissioning

So the Army has twenty-eight new Captains to add to their rolls of commissioned officers. The Visionaries of the Australian Southern Territory proudly stepped up to the platform today in public declaration that they will serve the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind. We watched and listened to a message to them from General Shaw Clifton and they were blessed that General Eva Burrows (Rtd.) was present.

In the course of the meeting, the Holy Spirit revealed Himself to many of us to our delight. He reminded us of God's deep love for us and His hope that we might stand tall with the Visionaries in Salvation Army service. Hallelujah! Congratulations, Major Frank Daniels and the Training College staff who worked hard to bring us to this point.

Isaiah 6:8 (NRSV)
⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!"

Pray for Rain

Heads of Christian Churches meeting in Sydney last week acknowledged and supported the various calls from church groups and other Australians for prayer in this time of severe drought, including a National Day of Prayer on 26 November.

The heads of Churches called for all Australians to pray for:

• desperately needed rain
• those who are severely drought affected, and
• commitment to responsibly care for all our natural resources.

It's serious... loss of crops, livelihoods, herds, flocks and human life. Please pray with us.

National Day of Prayer for Rain (click here for more information)

Isaiah 35:6 (NLT)
"The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will shout and sing! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the desert."

Silver Stars

The Fellowship of the Silver Star is a tremendous group of parents and mentors who have been instrumental in the development of a cadet. Each year on the commissioning weekend, these great people are recognized by the cadets and appropriately honored.

This year's class of Silver Star members are no exception to the many who have preceded them. They are blessed to see their cadet come to this point in their life and they should be. We've heard that it takes a village to raise a child. It takes that and more to raise a candidate for officership and see them through training. It's obvious that God is at work among us.

Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)
"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is not just an American holiday. It's a way of life for those of us who know the grace of God first-hand. We're giving thanks for good friends who joined us tonight for a typical American Thanksgiving Dinner. The meal was fantastic and the fellowship, a blessing.

Carolyn asked everyone to give thanks to God for something in their life. Each expression was beautiful and genuine. God was glorified throughout the dinner. We're missing our family today immensely, but we are blessed to have so many new good friends throughout the territory and around the world. Hallelujah!

Psalms 30:4 (NASB77)
"Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name."

Covenant and War

The Visionaries are now a covenanted people. In the presence of God, the Training College staff and the Territorial Cabinet, they each affixed their signatures to a most holy covenant with God. They bind themselves to him in love and service in The Salvation Army. It's too much to do without the enabling grace of God.

Every Salvationist has made a deep commitment to God in the signing of the Articles of War. This pledge too is important in the life of every soldier.

When you put these together, you have an Army at war. Officers and soldiers alike in total allegiance to the Lord and fighting together to eradicate sin where ever we find it, especially in ourselves. Let us then face the enemy in the grace of our Lord and engage in holy battle. I believe we shall win!

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NASB)
"Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."

Every Day

Every day is a gift from God. What would you have done without today? There might have been some experiences, conversations or news you wouldn't have preferred, but when we look at our every day, we will see that there are parts of it that make us who we are right now.

So is it fate then that drives us through our days? Is it a collection of opportunities and casualties that form our lives? Do we think our own choices dictate all our eventualities? Our choices do have bearing, but the real designer of our lives is God. He has a plan from before the creation of the world. Our objective is to coincide our choices with His will.

This may seem absurdly basic, but we need to get this right...and we can. It's when we miss this reality that we begin to undervalue our days. Are we waiting for the important days to come? The most important day we will ever have is today. We will enjoy the providential blessings of God every day, when we understand that every day is His gift to us.

John 14:6 (KJV) ^"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Spring Celebration

The Western Victoria Division was visited by the Holy Spirit this weekend at their Spring Celebration. The location was Halls Gap. It was their 18th cosecutive gathering in this way at this place.



We prayed and believed. God visited and spoke. Hallelujah!

We can trust Him even more with the evidence of His love demonstrated by great meetings, wonderful fellowship, intense soul searching and lifetime commitments. Loved ones, listen to Him. Follow Him. serve Him with all your heart soul and mind. He will regenerate you as He did us in these days.

Psalms 51:10 (GW)
¹⁰ "Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a faithful spirit within me."

Prayers for Regeneration

In the Western part of Victoria, bush fires of a year ago destroyed large areas of land and threatened life as a result. This year, in the same area, Halls Gap, specifically, there is a hope for regeneration.

Commensurate with this hope for the land is the hope of SA leaders in this division, Majors Peter and Jennie Walker. They lead the troops this way in what is known as a Spring Celebration with the theme, "Regeneration." Carolyn and I are with them for the weekend tent meetings accessible to Salvationists and non-Salvationists alike.

This is a call for prayer throughout the weekend on behalf of those who will be here for these important gatherings. My prayer is: "Lord, bring it on!" I'm looking to Him to pour out His Spirit in an irrefutable, miraculous way. Hallelujah!

If you can't be there in person, why not join us in the presence of God for regeneration?

Titus 3:4-6 (ESV)
^{4 "}But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,"

Brunswick, Victoria

In the heart of the Melbourne Central Division you'll find a real Salvation Army. It's being led by Lieutenants Jason and Michelle Davies-Kildea and it has a remarkable place in the history of TSA. This was the corps band that went to war along with B/M Arthur Gulledge and who were promoted to glory when the ship they were aboard was sunk in WWII.


Today the corps is making history for it's extraordinary ministries to just about everybody in the neighborhood. Specific service to street people and employment programs for those hard to employ are complimented by a youth center that is sophisticated and effective. All this happens in the intentional atmosphere of leading them to Christ. Hallelujah!


Carolyn and I salute these amazing Salvationists, employees, volunteers and all.

Luke 10:27 (Darby)
^{27 "}But he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thine understanding; and thy neighbour as thyself."

Victorian Royalty

Governor and Mrs. de Kretser of Victoria are wonderful people. They hosted our Melbourne Advisory Board Chairperson, Elizabeth Alexander and me today for a friendly visit. They are gracious and caring leaders of our community. I am blessed to have met them and share something of what TSA is doing in Victoria.

Partnerships are essential in our overall scope. I believe we can interface with government effectively while maintaing our spiritual foundations in an attempt to serve the community in God's name. With the Governor and his wife representing an important part of our government, we can, indeed, make this work.

Titus 3:1 (MSG)
^{1 "}Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand."

Loose Change

We met with the Finance Conference tonight. They made me think of loose change...you know, like in your pocket or purse, or on the dresser at home.

These are people who know that every penny is important. They're helping us not waste a cent.

These are people who are not loose with their change. They know that accountability is paramount in TSA. We need to be accountable to each other. We need to be accountable to God.

These people understand that we are in the ministry of change...changed lives...to the glory of God.

When I reach into my pocket, I'll be reminded of the provision of God in resources and in people like these good finance folk.

Luke 12:6-7 (MSG)
⁶ "What's the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one.
⁷ And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries."

Spiritual Leadership

The Training College was the scene of a class today on Spiritual Leadership. With Commissioning just over a week away, there was no time to waste to get the subject across. I see the subject more from the spiritual side than from the leadership side. That is to say that the Spirit is a strong qualifier of spiritual leadership.

In the SA, we need Spiritual Leaders, not simply leaders. The intimate relationship with God from which spiritual leadership is born is absolutely essential. This holy relationship informs and shapes the leader in her or his role and responsibilities. In these days when leadership definitions abound, let us be mindful of the creative involvement of the Holy Spirit in those He calls to Spiritual Leadership.

I have confidence in our Visionairies preparing for Commissioning. We're about to release a good session of Spiritual Leaders to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (MSG)
⁹ "God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that."

Palmerston, Northern Territory

Just outside of Darwin is a vibrant corps capably led by Captains Gerald and Mairi Mitchell (with us in the photo). In spite of a break-in at the building the night before, the corps folk wouldn't stand for anyone stealing their joy. The holiness meeting was blessed by the Holy Spirit throughout.


Now if you're near Palmerston, go check out this corps. You'll be glad you did. They are a warm group of Salvationists and friends from the youngest to the oldest. The music was a delight as well. It was a good blend of the brass and the contemporary.

I'm glad we were there. The worship experience before God was a perfect way to complete our Top End weekend.

John 15:9-11 (CEV)
⁹ I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you.
¹⁰ If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him.
¹¹ I have told you this to make you as completely happy as I am.

Darwin Christian Bookshop

A second day in Darwin produces another opportunity to dispense the gospel of love to the world through the Top End. Here we enjoyed being a part of the re-opening of the Christian Bookshop after it had been relocated to a better and larger location.


Lieutenant Lee-Ann Beasley is the store manager and her preparations for the day were exceptional. The opening was well attended and broadcast over a local Christian radio station. The broadcast was instrumental in getting the word out all morning.


It is a great store and a perfect opportunity for ministry. Being the only Christian Bookshop in Darwin makes it a needed resource for not only Salvationists but all believers who want the latest in resources, books, cards, music, cd's and videos to name only some of their items.

Getting the Word into the hearts and hands of people is our mission.

John 1:1-4 (AMP)
1 "IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.
2 He was present originally with God.
3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.
4 In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men."

Northern Territory Regional Headquarters

Now this was a grand occasion. Carolyn and I enjoyed conducting the Dedication of the new RHQ for the Northern Territory Region in Darwin. Majors Ritchie and Gail Watson, along with their team should be pleased with the new offices that make way for the existing space to be used for needed direct service.

Many came from different segments of the community to see the new location and lend their support. This is not unusual up here in the Top End where they regularly coordinate community response to community needs.

The new digs are a statement to the Northern Territory that TSA is intensifying its commitment to God by serving the people in His name. We're here for the long term and mean to do as much as we can.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
58 "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Friends

One of the great realities of God's provisions for us is in our relationships. We are blessed by our friends. They are gifts from God.

Now consider the expanding number of relationships that occur natuarally when you relocate, change jobs, schools or environments. These oppotunities often are associated with unexpected change in our lives, but they also happen when we make a concious move as well.

Our capacity to love and be loved has the potential to enlarge in these circumstances and fill up our lives even fuller. We can accept these gifts with joy, in any eventuality to the glory of God. Enjoy the changes in your life and grow as a child of God in the process.

John 15:13-15 (ASV)
13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you.
15 No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father, I have made known unto you."

Introductions

G'Day Mate!

God has changed my life in the course of serving Him. Now appointed to one of the best territories in the world, the Australian Southern Territory, life has changed significantly for Carolyn and me. You may remember that we came from the USA Eastern Territory, another fine territory, and that we began our ministry in the wonderful country of Australia on 1st August.

I will attempt to glorify God in these posts as we go forward on the basis of about six postings per week and will hope to reveal His greatness and relevance to all, everywhere. He is the Lord of Lords. He is worthy of our total praise. His name is Jesus. He is the Son of God and the Saviour of the people of the world. His death on the cross of Calvary and His resurrection three days later, prove the unconditional love of God and victory over evil.

Please seek Him right now with all your heart. He loves you and always will.

Romans 5:6 (Phillips NT)
6 "And we can see that it was while we were powerless to help ourselves that Christ died for sinful men. In human experience it is a rare thing for one man to give his life for another, even if the latter be a good man, though there have been a few who have had the courage to do it. Yet the proof of God's amazing love is this: that it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us."