Appearances

It appears we have an obsession about our appearance and our appearances. Passing a mirror? Did you check yourself out? How about the reflection in the store window? Were you able to see yourself clearly? Happy with your appearance?

Appearance not only relates to your look, but also with your location. Are you where you want to be? Now the double whammy...Are you concerned about how you look as it relates to where you are? Do I appear confused?

Made in the image of God, we are designed to be like Him...like Jesus. It comes true when it not only is our appearance, it is our reality.

1 Peter 3:3-4 (MSG)
3 What matters is not your outer appearance—the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes—
4 but your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in.

Recruitment

We are all recruiters. It's God's plan. We each have the joy of sharing the love of God in such a way as to attract others to His love. It's a form of recruitment.

In much the same way, we need to begin to understand that we are all recruiters for local officers and commissioned officers as well. Who doesn't want a great person in these roles? So is this solely the responsibility of the Corps Officers or the Candidates' Secretary? Hardly. It's one of the problems we have when we ask someone to be specifically interested in a certain responsibility in the church. We begin to think that the job belongs to someone else.

Experience the joy of recruiting for God. You might need to look into the mirror.

1 John 2:24 (Phillips NT)
24 For yourselves I beg you to stick to the original teaching. If you do, you will be living in fellowship with both the Father and the Son. And that means sharing his own life for ever, as he has promised.

Major Maureen Hamilton

Major Maureen Hamilton was Promoted to Glory this morning at 2:15 a.m.. In the company of her medically trained nephew, she left this world for the next by the promise and provision of Christ Jesus. Stationed at the Geelong Corps with her husband Stuart, she was a member of the God's Soldiers Session of training. She has been a faithful servant of God and a wonderful wife and mother. Maureen will be missed, but will always be remembered.

We can all rejoice in God's plan for Maureen. Hallelujah!

We need to remain in prayer for Maureen's family and close friends. Thank you for joining with us in this regard.

Matthew 25:23 (NKJV)
23 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

Auction action

The house across the street was auctioned for sale this afternoon. It was an intriguing sight. At first it resembled an open-air. There was a man shouting with an open-air voice. His associates were handing out pamphlets and the crowd was scattered all over the side walks on both sides of the street as well as in the street.

At the conclusion, it occurred to me that the joy of the experience was limited to three parties present: the seller, the buyer, and the auctioneer.

How different is an open-air. The good news pronounced at the open-air is for all to experience the joy of Jesus, and at no cost to anyone in the ring. The person who accepts the Lord as Saviour is welcomed into the kingdom of God and owner of a "mansion, just over the hilltop." Hallelujah!

John 14:2 (NKJV)
2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Salvo Stores

Mr. Allen Dewhirst is the CEO of our Salvo Stores. Their work is essential to our mission and missional as well. Their team works hard and is strategically focused. I'm grateful to God for them.

The Stores would be advantaged by more volunteers from our corps. Do you have some time you can offer for the good of the cause? There are quite a few well serving volunteers as we speak, but there is no question, more would support the cause. Why not take the love of God into these environments where your witness will be valuable?

In ten of our stores in Victoria, we have Christian Resource Corners. This is where a person can purchase new books, cd's and such. I would love to offer Australians the opportunity to always find a good Christian resource at any Salvo Store. Why not check it out? If your store doesn't have this yet, ask them to do it.

Matthew 19:21 (NIV)
21 Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Affordable Housing

Affordable housing is a serious issue around the world. In Australia 2 million people live below the poverty line. Many of them are homeless. TSA continues to offer support services to this population on a 24/7 basis in many different forms. Our array of services includes, but goes way beyond government funded resources, because their needs goes beyond the imagination and the limits of the funding parties.

We do this willingly. You see, people need a reasonable and safe place to live. After that, many have need of other support services to assure their permanence in their housing. Then, in the process, we have the joy of demonstrating the love of God and His provision for us all. We have great people in this service and we know the greatness of God.

Psalms 135:5 (MSG)
5 I too give witness to the greatness of God, our Lord, high above all other gods.

Mission Development

With our mission clear in our minds, we can go forward to sort out how exactly the mission might shape up as we go along. With culture moving at a rapid pace as well as our personal lives, it requires a continual refocusing of our mission and mission alignment. Without intentional efforts on our part, we become stale and ineffective in due course.

We can do some of this at THQ, but I believe it to be an active role for every level of service and in most locations. Who does it where you are? Is someone doing it? Take a look around you. Are we keeping up with the active interests and needs of the people God wants us to serve? We need to.

Isaiah 48:15 (NIV)
15 I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission.

The Bridge

The Bridge Programme is a valuable asset of the Melbourne Central Division as well as the Territory. It is a sophisticated drug and alcohol programme that serves the entire state of Victoria. Carolyn and I visited two of their sites yesterday and were very impressed with the team that makes it happen and the programmes themselves. Thank you Majors Coleman and your crew.

The men and women who access this programme are fortunate individuals. Based upon what we discovered, their hope for recovery is high. The careful integration of spiritual support assures these same people that healing for their eternity is at heart. We need to pray for these clients and the staff who work with them. Pray that God has His way with them.

James 5:20 (NIV)
20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Future Brass

Wow! The music was fantastic and the kids were great. The Melbourne Staff Band hosted young people from across the Territory as well as a few from the Eastern Territory for a weekend of music training, music making and music enjoying. We witnessed the culmination of their efforts on Sunday afternoon at the South Barwon Corps. All of us were lifted towards heaven as a result of being there.

The Staff Band was superb and the two Future Brass groups were terrific too. The choice of music was inspirational and thrilling. I see this experience as critically important for the future of brass and the future of these brass musicians. Everyone came out a winner.

Thanks to B/M Ken Waterworth and his team for a job well done. God is glorified in you.

Psalms 33:3 (NIV)
3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

South Barwon

This territory is blessed with many great corps. We attended the South Barwon corps, actually located in Belmont, Victoria. The morning worship meeting was full of fellowship, joy and the presence of the Holy Spirit. From the moment we arrived we were welcomed and included.

Thanks to the entire corps and especially to Majors Gloria and David Eldridge. The friendliness of the meeting captured us immediately. The message, "David and God and Goliath" was compelling and challenging. Hallelujah!

Coming to the neighborhood? Stop in. It will be worth it.

1 Samuel 17:37 (NIV)
37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you."

Be Free

The Melbourne Staff Songsters presented the gospel tonight in convincing ways at the Waverley Temple Corps. Their music, testimonies and message gave us all a great night in the presence of God. Songster Leader Brian Hogg and Executive Officer, Major Laurie Robertson are giving the group excellent leadership.

In a few weeks, the Songsters will be beginning a concert tour with the theme, "Be Free," from the bottom of Australia to the top, starting at Warnambool and concluding with Darwin. They'll be on the bus a while in between concert stops as well as a few corps visits along the way. Please be in prayer for them. Carolyn and I will be joining them for the campaign.

John 8:36 (NIV)
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Small Groups

We met in a small group the other night where the Spirit was present and we were each encouraged in our faith. I join many who aren't given to group therapy, but the leader of this group kept us clear from feeling that way. I was really glad.

We just plain had a good time. We made it cross generational and still felt as if we were valued simply for being ourselves. It was very comfortable. They had snacks too. Now that never hurts. I learned about and witnessed a "Tim Tam Slammer." It involves biscuits and coffee. I can't wait to try one.

Why not try a small group? You'd be amazed what you might learn and how your life might be advanced. Hallelujah!

Mark 6:39 (NIV)
39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass.

Training College Spiritual Day

On a regular basis, Carolyn and I conduct Spiritual Days at the Training College. Today was one of those special days. She spoke on the destruction of the walls of Jericho and conveyed a picture of the event like many of us have never seen before. Amazing.

The Cadets are a joy to be with as are the Training College Staff. All were in concert today, celebrating the presence of our risen Lord in song, witness, praise and prayer. Hallelujah!

Is this a place for you?

1 Peter 1:15 (NIV)
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;

Bringing People to Christ

What a joy it is to hear that people are coming to the Lord. My heart swells when I learn of such happenings in the territory (and elsewhere too). Certainly, "the angels in heaven rejoice" when this takes place as well.

This is the heart of our mission. We are, and must be, The SALVATION Army. Our focus needs to be aimed at sharing the love of God in Christ to those who don't know Him and to those who do. God desires that everyone be brought to salvation and that we do our part in the process.

You know that we actually need to communicate God's love in ways that they have a choice. Being nice is a start, but only that. There comes a point at which you need to commit to the message and ask the question. Not all gifted evangelists? We are being gifted with powerful love to be shared. Hallelujah!

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

20yO Development Conference

Ah, the twenty year officers. What an interesting mob. We met together today to celebrate their faithfulness to God and clearly His faithfulness to them. Since their commissioning some, not present, have been unable to come this far in the journey. Some for reasons of their own choosing and others for causes that may be described as being victimised or beyond their control.

These, however, are the ones who having faced the battle, are still standing. Each with their wounds, none of which fatal and each with their victories. Can you hear them shout? Christ is Lord! He is the King of Kings and friend of the lowest in our land. I can hear them in a deafening echo that resounds over two decades of life lived in holy purpose and love. Hallelujah!

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Tri-Territorial Theological Forum

The 3T Theological Forum met this past week in Melbourne and launched their second journal entitled Windows of Opportunity - Exploring our Foundations: Sacrifice, Salvation, Discipleship. The articles are all good and useful to the thinking Salvationist. We need this kind of open dialogue by students of the Word and of the ministry.

At the launch, we were stimulated by Captain Grattan-Jon Savage who spoke on "Holiness Then and Now: Salvation Army Ecclesiology" and Captain Grant Sandercock-Brown who presented, "Is Social Justice the New Morality?" It's possible that these may find their way into the third journal. I'm given to understand that the journals are available on the web somewhere. Perhaps someone will be kind enough to comment where.

Thank you, Forum for your excellent work.

2 Timothy 2:15 (MSG)
15 Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.

Ringwood Men's Breakfast

The Ringwood Corps has a regular Men's Breakfast programme that features guest speakers and a very good breakfast. It was my privilege to participate this morning and share something of my heart on the significant role of men in our world.

Bram Southwell is the leader of the event. He and his capable team assembled a fine group of men, not all of whom attend the corps. It is very well organised and worth attending. The camaraderie in the room was a blessing and the experience valuable. It's an effective model many corps could consider.

1 John 1:7 (NIV)
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

V2A @ MCD

Day two of the visit to the Melbourne Central Division gave us a look at their Vision To Action. It includes a plan for mission prioritisation, integration and implementation. It builds on the significant work of over 125 years of ministry in their part of Melbourne and it's a good plan.

You'll note from the comments from yesterday that God is moving in the hearts and ministries of MCD Institutions and Corps. Hallelujah!

Bring it on, Lord...to your delight, joy and plan.

Philippians 1:6 (MSG)
6 There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

MCD

Yes, MCD stands for the Melbourne Central Division. We're spending two days together to review the extraordinary ministries that are taking place and to spend time with the leadership. Majors Rodney and Jenny Barnard are the capable Divisional Leaders who share the joy of this remarkable opportunity with a team that is strong, hopeful and engaging.

We're seeing evidence of God's good work in plain sight and are being encouraged by their strategies for reaching many more for the Kingdom. Hallelujah! I'm glad to be a Salvo.

Revelation 11:15 (MSG)
15 The seventh Angel trumpeted. A crescendo of voices in Heaven sang out, The kingdom of the world is now the Kingdom of our God and his Messiah! He will rule forever and ever!

Addictions

We just might have more addictions than we know. Not all addictions are destructive. Some are just distracting and others have a constructive aspect. Can we be addicted to Bible reading? It sounds a bit severe, but I suppose it's possible.

Mostly, addictions are thought as negative and harmful. At what point can a person be free from an addiction? Some will say that once a person is an alcoholic, they're always an alcoholic. Is it not possible for God to break such a stronghold? I know of many serious Christian counselors who believe that God will end an addiction to alcohol.

Now what about us? Can we muster enough forgiveness (and forgetness)to trust God in these ways? I wonder if our doubts negatively contribute to the insecurity of the former addict. Help us, Lord.

James 5:15 (MSG)
15 Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven—healed inside and out.