RSA Launch

The Red Sheild Appeal launch occurred today in Melbourne. The AXA corporation sponsored the event which was terrific. Mr. Andy Penn from AXA represented his company and many others by his kind remarks and challenge for Victoria to partner with TSA in our endeavors to serve so many people. Mr. Bernie Brooks of Myer was present to celebrate the proceeds of their Christmas recording which generated over $200,000. The state of Victoria presented $60,000 as well.

These donations will go a long way to help many people. Across Australia we will help over 1,000,000 people this year. The costs will be in excess of $68 million. We have much to do to raise that kind of resource. Thank you each who are helping as you can.

Acts 2:45 (MSG)
45 They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.

Seeing God

While the heavens declare the glory of God, we are made in His image. We can see Him by looking into others around us. In Biblical context, that understanding pre-exists the salvation of the individual. This is to say that we can see the image of God in every person.

God walked into my office today in the person of a couple of people. Each showed me His love, creativity, ingenuity and concern. God's amazing. He keeps me focused on Him if I keep my eyes open for Him.

Look up. look out. Look for Him.

1 John 2:5 (MSG)
5 But the one who keeps God's word is the person in whom we see God's mature love. This is the only way to be sure we're in God.

Major Cameron Wallace

God has called Major Cameron Wallace home to glory. We delight in his eternal reward and celebrate what we who know Christ as Saviour will enjoy one day. At the same time our hearts are broken over the loss of his presence to his wife and family. The Adelaide Congress Hall Corps too will find difficulty without him.

Let us be in prayer for these loved ones and in gratitude for the life and person of Cameron Wallace.

2 Corinthians 5:8 (NRSV)
8 Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Happy Mothers' Day

Genesis 3:20 (NIV)
20 Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.

Pray for the General

As we come before the Lord today, let us remember the General in prayer. General Shaw Clifton continues to lead The Salvation Army with courage, devotion and strength. He and Commissioner Helen Clifton benefit by the provision of God in their lives and depend upon Him completely. They're tremendous leaders.

Psalms 143:1 (NIV)
1 O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.

Heritage

Our history gives a guide to not only our future but the essence of who we are. In terms of TSA, we have much to live up to. In terms of an individual, it may not be as simple. God's transformation of the individual makes the person's history a contrast of dark to light.

The heritage of TSA is mostly beautiful and crafted by God. Although far from perfect, it survives blemishes and difficult chapters because it continues to work towards the glory of God. May we maintain this hope and redeeming approach to mission.

Galatians 4:5 (MSG)
5 Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage.

Wilma Gallet

On the first Sunday we conducted corps meetings in Australia, we met Wilma Gallet. A soldier of the Ferntree Gully Corps, she is the celebrated founder of Employment Plus and an exceptional Christian lady.

Among her many accomplishments in the fields of social programme, she wrote TSA's response to the National Youth Commission's report on youth homelessness in Australia. it's called Finding My Place and it is a quality booklet that describes the mission of TSA among youth in Australia. You can download it or acquire a copy at TSA.

Thank you Wilma, for your witness, your faithfulness and your extraordinary service.

Psalms 119:114 (MSG)
114 You're my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.

Myanmar

Our friends in Myanmar are in need of our support. Prayers on their behalf will be valued. The death toll is incredible and rising. TSA is there and is serving on the ground in spite of major damage to SA facilities. Communication is difficult.

We can facilitate donations to the work there from any SA location here or online at our territorial website.

May God's grace prevail in the midst of such difficulty.

Psalms 86:13 (MSG)
13 You've always been great toward me—what love! You snatched me from the brink of disaster!

God Provides

In the flurry of life and in the day to day engagements, God provides.
In the complexities of our moods, uncertainties and joys, God provides.
The air we breathe...the sunlight that opens the day...the stars that sparkle...all validate that God provides.

He gives hope to the rejected, peace to the troubled, healing to the unwell, attention to the invisible, grace to the insecure, joy to the hurt, forgiveness to the penitent, understanding to the confused and love to all. That's just for starters.

God provides for you and me. Hallelujah!

Luke 12:28 (TLB)
28 And if God provides clothing for the flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, don’t you suppose that he will provide clothing for you, you doubters?

Healthy Corps

This is an interesting concept that can serve our best intentions in glorifying God. When we measure such things, we must do so in a Biblical context with careful cultural appreciation. I suggest that a healthy corps is one that is paying attention to balance, growth, nourishment and applied faith. They can be small, medium, large or anywhere on any scale. They can be new, old or not so old. They can be urban, country or a mix.

Generally, a corps knows if it is healthy or at least where certain parts need attention. Acts 2:42 gives a good guide to healthy components.

Acts 2:42 (NIV)
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Keeping the Faith

There are many temptations that will discourage and distract you from your faith. Be on your guard. What we call common sense can cause a shortage of faith as can intellectual assertion. How do we explain prayer apart from a relationship with a loving God?

The strength of our faith will enable us in moments of concern and hold us through the valleys in our lives. It's really God who is holding us, not faith in itself. Our choice...His grace. Hallelujah!

James 1:12 (NIV)
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Encouragement

Here's an idea: be an encourager.

There are plenty who will put a person down or trim them down to size. Why not lift up someone? You might even find it refreshing.

Setting the record straight? The record doesn't need you...people do. You are better than that.

Got something to say? Be an encourager.

Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Social Justice

This territory is on track with social justice. Under the leadership of Captain Danielle Strickland, our efforts are multiplying to glorify God. From fair trade to human traffiking and everything in between, we're learning more and more how to better engage our people in these areas of ministry.

You can learn much more from the justsalvos.com website. It's worth looking at and then just doing something.

Hebrews 11:33 (MSG)
33 Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions,

Northern Victoria Division

With four SA divisions, the state of Victoria boasts of a remarkable expression of Salvationism. In the northern part we have the Northern Victoria Division. Well established and currently under the leadership of Majors Graeme and Karen Rigley, this division is real Salvation Army. They are mission focused and solid. When you serve with them you find integrity, balance and holiness.

I thank God for who is there and what is happening in the name of Jesus. Hallelujah!

1 Chronicles 16:29 (MSG)
29 Shout Bravo! to his famous Name, lift high an offering and enter his presence! Stand resplendent in his robes of holiness!

Corporate Support

On this, when I am writing corporate, I'm not thinking so much of the collective, but the corporate world. More and more, companies are considering their corporate social responsibilities. This is good. TSA needs to more intentionally connect with the corporate world to include them in the joy of helping others I welcome their involvement.

Let's take a fresh look at these possibilities and consider opening the door to new relationships to advance the mission.

2 Corinthians 5:18 (MSG)
18 All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other.

Alive and well

More than a simple expression of personal well being, alive and well would also be a description of God's plan for our lives. Jesus died so we might live and live well. The wellness part is not simply a statement of good health. I've known people dying of cancer who were alive and well.

Let your spirit soar today in praise to our Lord. Let your worship of Him dominate your existence with joy, hope and love. Now you're alive and well. Hallelujah!

John 10:10 (MSG)
10 A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

The Revelation Project

The Waverley Temple Corps has been hosting The Revelation Project for three weeks now and has another week to go. It has included Sunday night meetings and mid-week Bible studies on the book of The Revelation.

We were blessed to be there tonight with over 200 to share in the experience. The music, the singing and the Word of God. What could be better? There is still a Bible study at 7:30 pm, Thursday and a concluding Sunday night meeting with Lt. Colonel Lucille Turfrey bringing the message.

Revelation 1:3 (NIV)
3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Anzac Day

A day to remember those who have died giving us freedom.

John 8:36 (KJV)
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Meeting People

One of the joys God gives us is to meet new people. Our lives are made best by our relationships. It really isn't the places we go or the accomplishments we achieve. The excellence of our lives might be best measured by the friends we have.

Then we have a deeper joy. That is to help these new friends experience the love of God. They can see Him in us and maybe they begin to see the possibilities for themselves. This is known as the plan of God.

Why not meet some new people today?

Titus 3:4-5 (MSG)
4 But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in,
5 he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit.

24/7 Prayer

We continue in our celebration of round the clock prayer. Throughout the territory, we are connecting with God, non-stop. Hallelujah!

God is moving in our midst and we are seeing His glory.

Contact the 24/7 website. Sign up and pray. You'll never be the same.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)
17 Pray without ceasing.