Genesis 1

We celebrated the first anniversary of the Genesis programme in Perth today. It continues to show its value to the homeless of Perth and the Kingdom of God. Captain Colin Eldridge and his team are sensational in their compassion and service to their people. They are more than convincing. They're compelling.

Genesis is The Salvation Army. People are being saved and people are being supported. They feed 150 or so on a daily basis. Medical care is provided. Employment Plus staff come to help in their field. All different types of services are rendered and God is honoured. Hallelujah!

Stop by when you're in Perth and be prepared to lend a hand in the name of Christ.

Genesis 1:31a (NIV)
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

Kalgoorlie, Western Australia

Moving due East from Perth in Western Australia, we come to Kalgoorlie and Boulder. In these communities, TSA is beautifully missional with a corps, Men's Hostel, Youth Crisis Accommodation Centre, two Op Shops and plenty of other services that are needed and valued here. Captain Lynn Jones is the corps officer in this mining city of approximately 30,000. She is supported by a capable professional staff and helpers of all sorts.

We were able to meet with quite a few of our supporters at the corps for afternoon tea. (Australia is a civilised country) Each one gave witness to the compelling gospel that comes from Captain Jones. Hallelujah!

Our salute today goes to the whole team here in Kalgoorlie. Coming this way for employment? There's a good Army awaiting you.

1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NIV)
2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.

Karratha, Western Australia

As the northernmost corps of the Western Australia Division, it was a thrill to get here and see what God is doing. Under the leadership of Captains Cymon and Naava Brooks, the corps mission is in tact and greatly appreciated by the community. Majors Trainor and us met with community leaders on the occasion of our visit. It was worth every minute.

Karratha should be on our prayer lists. The challenges are unique and the remoteness of the appointment creates its own difficulties. The Brooks are doing fine and deserve our commendation. The gospel is being communicated every day in different ways. Hallelujah!

Acts 17:27 (MSG)
27 so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near.

Trusting God Today

The level of our trust is directly proportional to our confidence in God's capacity. It seems to me that a person can say they trust God, but until they do, they don't. How big is God to you? Measure your faith and you'll have an indication.

We've had a few moments in our life when we trusted God and the results weren't what we had hoped. Notice I haven't written that the results of our hopes speak to our depth of faith. Our faith is shallow if we are sidetracked by our disappointment at the outcomes. Now let's trust God who loves us with abundance, not for what we get but for who He is.

Revelation 15:3 (TEV)
3 and singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: "Lord God Almighty, how great and wonderful are your deeds! King of the nations, how right and true are your ways!

Planning

After the vision comes the plan. What are your plans? Long life? Family? Never get married? Move to another country? Never leave your home town?

We develop plans for all sorts of things. We plan to get groceries or go to the movies. We plan to get an education or a job. Part of the thrill in life is the plan.

How about the proud owner of the lottery ticket before the drawing? Big plans...millions of plans...Buy a house...take a long vacation...a new car? Every lottery ticket owner has plans alright.

Just make sure your plans include the plan of God. There is no better way or destination. It'll involve love, courage and risks. Sounds exciting...it is.

Ephesians 1:5 (MSG)
5 Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!)

Candidates' Weekend

At the famous Geelong Conference Centre, the Territorial Candidates' Weekend took place and culminated today with worship and commitment. Majors Len and Marney Turner, Territorial Candidates' Secretaries designed a significant opportunity for the Spirit of God to minister to us and many others in the name of Christ. Hallelujah!

We need as many Candidates as possible to do the work. We have immediate openings and are looking to God for His direction and provisions. We are claiming His grace for these days and believing for His presence in what He is asking us to do. I would be blessed to welcome a large session of Cadets going forward. Is God speaking to you?

Mark 8:34 (MSG)
34 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how.

Sports

Occasionally, you'll hear that "sports is their religion." I understand the comment and realise it refers to the intensity and dedication some have for sports. I find sports to be something of a distraction from the serious. I can get into a game and even be known to read the sports page first sometimes before the front page.

To some, sports is life. An athlete recently welcomed to the LA area earns in the neighborhood of $1 million a week for his sport. If he's earning that much, imagine what the owners are earning. I think that represents serious business, but not a religion.

In contrast, some make sport of their religion. This is a serious problem. Let's not play games with our faith or put faith in our games. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

1 Chronicles 16:29 (AMP)
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. Bring an offering and come before Him; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness and in holy array.

Excitement

Ready for action? We need to be. God is moving among us and creating opportunities right in front of us. Look up and see Him. He's looking at you and hoping for your interest. He pursues you with relentless hope and dispenses everything we need to actualise His perfect ideas for us.

The way for our perfect journey is prepared and accessible by the most powerful entity in the universe: love. It is designed with you in mind and will fill you with the most thrilling and compelling spirit you have ever known. Experience the joy. Approach the keeper of eternity and get ready for the excitement.

Mark 9:15 (MSG)
15 As soon as the people in the crowd saw Jesus, admiring excitement stirred them. They ran and greeted him.

The Government

In many places and among many services we work with the government. This relates to Federal, State and Local Government. This relationship is best defined as a partnership which is an attempt to serve the community by improving the lives and environments of individuals and families. This type of connection is common around the world.

What we need is a real partnership. This is not defined as simply being participants and is most severely reduced when it is only a contractual relationship. We serve best when our full effort is in play and when we can connect the service to a holistic approach through multiple service points. It's not just a job. It's a holy ministry, marked by the same discipline as if we were serving God.

It's possible to make this work. We do need to have mutual intentionality.

Matthew 25:35 (CEV)
35 When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me,

Trusting Jesus

As the moments fly...what'ere befall...trusting Jesus...that is all. It seems uncomplicated and not so hard. We've got no reason for pride or personal trumpet blowing. We simply trust Jesus and joy flows. We trust Jesus and hope is amplified. We trust Jesus and difficulty transforms to solutions.

Don't you see it? Don't you experience it? Those who know Christ in their souls know what I'm writing about. It's about miracles and unexplained peace of mind. It's about light where others are having trouble seeing through the dark. It's Jesus. It's always been about Jesus. It will always be about Jesus. Hallelujah!

Romans 3:21 (TLB)
21 But now God has shown us a different way to heaven --not by "being good enough" and trying to keep his laws, but by a new way (though not new, really, for the Scriptures told about it long ago). Now God says he will accept and acquit us--declare us "not guilty"--if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like.

Dialogue

In our activist SA, we often want to charge out and do something when it comes to mind. This is my nature. I have learned that dialogue helps. Even a passing reference to your intentions with another person can elicit a response that might change the nature of your action for the better. I admit that I find extended dialogue on a subject that is going no where, painful. Here's where I need to be more disciplined.

The real dialogue we need in every effort is with the Lord. Even if we do not include another person in our process, we must include Him. The Scriptures indicate that "faith without works is dead." That is radically true. I also practice that works without faith is a waste of time.

James 2:17 (MSG)
17 Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?

Office Altar

So sometime in the middle of the day when I returned to my office I found an altar there, quite unexpectedly. I believe it is one made by the one of the Brunswick Community Programmes for Connections 07. Before you know it a meeting occurred in the office and we concluded by meeting around the altar on our knees. I figure, God sends you an altar, you better use it! Hallelujah!

What has God put in your world today? Something new or unexpected? It may well be something He wants you to use for His glory. Look around. Consider the possibilities. See what God is doing in your life and what He wants to do.

Revelation 16:7 (MSG)
7 Just then I heard the Altar chime in, Yes, O God, the Sovereign-Strong! Your judgments are true and just!

Mountain View

The corps at Mountain View has existed for over 13 years. It's located in The Basin, Victoria. Captains Jeff and Kathy Vale are there with a cadre of good local officers and supporters.

We were there for the dedication of their renovations to the Mountain Valley Camp chapel which they are using to host their Sunday meetings. Today's meeting was great and the Captain preached a good sermon.

For those of you who have attended the Mountain Valley Camp at one time or another, you might want to stop in on a Sunday to see how God is still using the place. You're bound to be blessed.

Deuteronomy 32:49 (NIV)
49 "Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession.

Homecoming

Often this is an expression of a reunion or even a part of an anniversary celebration. For us it's a fact. We're coming home to Australia and are on our way. Hallelujah!

Capable team members and associates have covered for us in the days of our absence. Thank you each for your faithfulness.

Ready or not, here we come. We have much to do and more people to reach for the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 5:9 (MSG)
9 But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions.

Beautiful Day

Today is a beautiful day. The weather where I am is warm and mild, the sun is shining and we are enjoying the company of loved ones. What's not beautiful?

Also today it is raining somewhere, people have lost loved ones, jobs terminated, illnesses have been discovered and worse. Some days are better than other days. It depends upon our perspective and our circumstances.

I believe in not accepting the 'fate de jour'. That is, we have much to do with the beauty of the day. Some days will be rotten, no doubt, but not because God has abandoned us. His love is constant throughout the good and the not so good. Trust Him and know Him to be true.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 (MSG)
14 On a good day, enjoy yourself; On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days So that we won't take anything for granted.

Right Fit

You know the expression, "It fits like a glove." I've put on a few gloves that didn't fit so well...and while I'm on the subject, what about the glove box in your car? Have you ever put your gloves in there? I did...once...just to say it was finally a glove box. Now keep me straight, a boot is a trunk and a bonnet is a hood. Do we also have another name for the glove box?

Getting back to the right fit, we spend a good part of our lives trying to fit in. Perhaps we find ourselves in a new environment or with a new group of people, we most often do our best to fit. When we come to the conclusion that we aren't the right fit, we often move on.

As believers, we do not fit in this world. God's kingdom is far different than this world and that's where we belong. I suggest we relax on trying to fit in this world and expend our energies shaping up for the Kingdom of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV)
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Hospitality

Understood as a spiritual gift, hospitality is the kind of Christian grace that can quiet the storm in any situation and comfort the unrest in any soul. Just think about the people you know who minister in the name of Jesus in this profound manner. They're people you like to be near and have as friends.

It is in the giving that the person with hospitality finds satisfaction. This is an approach that resembles our giving Lord, who indiscriminately offers Himself for our peace and joy. Let those who are gifted in this way know that we are grateful for them. Let those of us who are not so gifted, make every attempt to be this way.

3 John 1:5 (MSG)
5 Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible.

Changes

Every day and all year long we're confronted with changes. Changes that are imposed upon us and changes that we determine are necessary. The public media news alone points to changes in our lives and for many people, it can become onerous.

If we're going to be alive, there is a present reality of change. How we deal with it or even use it will speak to our character and resilience. I do think it's coming faster these days. Is it that I am going slower? I certainly don't want to admit to it.

So as your day begins, expect the changes and remember that God's love doesn't change. Hallelujah!

Daniel 2:21 (MSG)
21 He changes the seasons and guides history, He raises up kings and also brings them down, he provides both intelligence and discernment,

Gathering

In the gathering of good friends there are tremendous blessings. Better than gathering your thoughts or gathering your belongings, getting together with your friends creates new memories and sustains you in your journey. In difficulty or consternation, gather together with your friends. Their love and concern will bring healing to your soul and hope to your heart.

Now if the friends are Jesus-lovers, all the better. Might I add, make sure your friends are believers, one way or the other. Their connection to the Source of life will bring His presence into the relationship and nourish you in the process.

Thank you, Lord for our friends. May our friendships bring joy to your heart.

Acts 20:2 (MSG)
2 Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope.

Bad Food

Speaking of going to restaurants, have you ever had a bad experience in a restaurant where there's been a little extra in the food? How about a cockroach in your iced tea? What did the restaurant do as a result? Did they offer to replace the drink or maybe pay for the meal? I believe I know what a good restaurant would do.

I tend to object when I hear a person say they were leaving a church or a corps fellowship because they were not being fed. Down deep I seem to understand that only babies need fed. Adults feed themselves. But just for a moment think about the spiritual meal. (There are scriptural references that would support such a concept.) If we recognised that a part of it was bad or spoiled by something that didn't belong, what would you do? Perhaps it depends upon the specific problem.

Let's do everything we can to make certain the spiritual experience isn't spoiled by something we have or have not done.

James 1:21 (MSG)
21 So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.