Holiness

We're a holiness movement. We need to be holy individuals and a holy people. This is God's good will for all...that includes us.

Do you think this is understood where you are? Do you know about this blessed part of our relationship with God? I'm interested to know. Is it such a mystery? How can we convey this reality with simplicity?

Revelation 22:11 (MSG)
11 Let evildoers do their worst and the dirty-minded go all out in pollution, but let the righteous maintain a straight course and the holy continue on in holiness."

New Ideas

God continues His creation in the way in which He implants new ideas in our lives. I'm amazed where exactly they come from. That is to say by whom He gets them to us. These new ideas are designed to enhance our lives and capacity to fulfill God's mission.

Look around today and see what God is leading you to consider. It may not be from a source you're expecting...but what comes from God is perfect.

Proverbs 18:15 (TLB)
15 The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them.

Humble Service

Servant of God? How about Paul's choice of descriptor: slave of God.

Now consider how important you are. Where do you draw the line as to your significance in the Kingdom? Hypothetically, it tends to be an easy answer. Now consider that you've been asked to do something more menial than you're accustomed to. Going to do it or do you consider it a waste of time?

With all we have to offer, how do we respond to the request? I'm suggesting that our response be one of faithfulness. What is it exactly that we bring to the altar anyway?

Thank you Lord for those servants who are servants.

Romans 1:1 (MSG)
1 I, Paul, am a devoted slave of Jesus Christ on assignment, authorized as an apostle to proclaim God's words and acts. I write this letter to all the Christians in Rome, God's friends.

Holiness in TSA

I have strong convictions about our need for holiness in TSA. In this context, you might understand it better as Godliness in TSA. I see it in the way of personal holiness and I see it in the way of corporate holiness. Is it possible that after 142 years of existence, we are still attempting to define personal holiness? If that's true, it's because the experience of holiness is not in the Christian mainstream as we know it.

Corporate holiness could take more consideration in our thinking and teaching. How does our corps, social programme unit, or headquarters demonstrate the holiness of God? The Scriptures are replete with God's people being a holy people and a holy nation. If our corporate practises were contrasted with the business world, would we be able to say our efforts are marked by God? I hope so. This one, though, needs more grace.

Isaiah 62:12 (NIV)
12 They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the LORD; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.

Honest Word

When we recognise an unhealthy issue in a friend's life, at what point do we bring it to their attention? Do we see it as something to mention often or harp on the subject until our friend makes a needed change? We can be quick to call people to account. Is that always appropriate?

There are some folks who tend to see solely things from a right or wrong perspective. That's workable when we're referring to a third party. What about when it involves you or a close friend? How would you like to be confronted? Does our friendship require our corrective recommendations? It's like the wearer of the ugly hat...are you honest with them?

Galatians 6:1 (NIV)
1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Moving Forward

There are few things I enjoy more than making progress. I appreciate measurable growth, charting it, and going for it. This, of course, is not always appropriate in ministry even with the best quantifiable methodology. Some matters are designed to be measured by God with standards that only He can identify. I'm sure that's good.

We do need to move forward where we can. I don't see us pleasing God with diminishing returns in positive areas. Aim and go for it. When exercised in the name of God, success will be the result.

James 3:18 (MSG)
18 You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

Joining Jesus in the Army

The point of joining The Salvation Army is joining with Jesus. It's not about membership. It's about relationship. Into the loving relationship with God through Christ, we belong...to Him. Then, and only then do we have the opportunity to become a Soldier in TSA. This is all good.

Our joy in reaching others for Christ and bringing them into the fellowship of TSA is that it increases our capacity to reach even more for Christ. This is our prime objective.

Join us, by joining Jesus.

Acts 2:38
Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites."

Choosing Right

With all the choices we're asked to make in a day, the thought of always making the right choices is daunting. How'd you do so far today? A right choice here would include telling the truth.

With Sunday coming, why not chose to go to church? How about The Salvation Army? I'm convinced it's the best place to be and that there's a place there for everyone, including you. I'll be there and hope to see you.

Matthew 12:30 (MSG)
30 "This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you're not on my side, you're the enemy; if you're not helping, you're making things worse.

Sharing the Blessings

This is a delightful opportunity for us all. God continues to pour upon us His abundance of blessings for us to enjoy and to share. Let's do it with excitement.

I find it difficult to express to you through this medium the immensity of God's grace apparent and available to us. His love is incredible and accessible by the provision of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. Hallelujah!

Recognise it. Claim it. Declare it. Share it. Yes!

James 3:17 (MSG)
17 Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced.

Friends in Trouble

Most of us know friends in trouble. Some of these situations are heart breaking because our friends are relatively helpless in their plight. It's hard to imagine how they survive their circumstances and painful to put oneself in their place.

What can you do? Empathy is generally preferred over sympathy, but being people of the miracle, we have a higher expectation in these dramas where not helping is unthinkable. We start with prayer and then we get downright practical. We do things constructive. No matter how minor or insignificant, we attempt to give relief and we should. We become the hands, the feet, the concern of God. I'm going to do it. You?

3 John 1:6 (MSG)
6 They've made a full report back to the church here, a message about your love. It's good work you're doing, helping these travelers on their way, hospitality worthy of God himself!

The Scriptures are alive

They are. They are loaded with counsel and hope and holiness. God's direction and plan is revealed in these pages as is His unconditional love.

Let us celebrate His Word today by reading, memorizing and obeying.

Psalms 119:105 (KJV)
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Caring

You can tell when someone cares for you, can't you. There are those who seem to walk by you without reference. It feels rotten to be ignored.

So let's make certain that our witness to the presence of God in our lives is marked by love seen by the way we care. I saw a friend today giving loving care to his wife who is suffering from a disabling disease. He made me proud to know him and to recognise this powerful grace between them.

Caring? it's one of the best qualities of the children of God.

Romans 6:19 (MSG)
19 I'm using this freedom language because it's easy to picture. You can readily recall, can't you, how at one time the more you did just what you felt like doing—not caring about others, not caring about God—the worse your life became and the less freedom you had? And how much different is it now as you live in God's freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness?

No Connections

No connections, no blog. The absence of connections creates a vacuum that perils relationships and signals of life. I've been in that zone for a few days, but am now reconnected and grateful. I was beginning to go through a sort of withdrawal.

Praying with my nephew-son today, we both asked God for His help in connecting with Him. We acknowledge our inadequacy in the disconnect mode and recognise our need for His help to be joined together. Thank you, Lord, that you're love is demonstrated in your interest. Hallelujah!

Psalms 22:5 (MSG)
5 they cried for your help and you gave it; they trusted and lived a good life.

Resolutions

So, are you still good on your new year resolutions? We're into day three. There's still time to make it good. Maybe our resolutions should be cast in a future date, like, by the first of September, I'm going to... That way, you'll be good for your goal at least for 3/4ths of the year.

If the resolution is a daily discipline, you might be off already and still have 363 more leap year days to go.

I have an idea...grace. You know, forgive yourself when you're not exactly perfect. If you try it on yourself, you might even be prepared to do so for your neighbour. Now that's a good resolution.

Luke 11:4 (NIV)
4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'"

Post Connections Era

It's a new day alright. The Post-connections era has begun and we are in the middle of it. Reports across the territory are bright with hope for the future based upon the fresh wave of the Holy Spirit throughout the territory.

Today at THQ we met in several meetings to discuss the affect of post-connections on our structure. We see the need for a closer and more consistent approach to identify where we can improve our connectedness to advance the Kingdom. Apart from the advancement of the Kingdom, we're blowing hot air at our problems. If you're anywhere near Melbourne, you know we don't particularly need anymore hot air...only a mighty rushing wind of the Holy Spirit.

C7 convinced me. God spoke. We heard. Let's go. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 62:10 (MSG)
10 Walk out of the gates. Get going! Get the road ready for the people. Build the highway. Get at it! Clear the debris, hoist high a flag, a signal to all peoples!

Holy New Year

Luke 1:78 (GW)
78 A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful.

Project 1:8 Rwanda 08

In January 2008 the two Australian territories are sending a mission team to serve in Rwanda. Preparations are already well underway and the Regional Commander of Rwanda is very excited at the prospect of having a team coming to serve with them for 2-3 weeks in January.

At this stage the team is likely to be involved in a week where they will be training some of the youth leaders of the Rwandan Salvos in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

In the second week we are hoping the team will be spending 3-4 days each at 2 local Salvo churches - building relationships with the community and being involved in their local programs.

This is an awesome opportunity for people the team who are all ready to take the next step in their faith and wanting to serve their community with passion and love. Please pray for them as they prepare for this important journey

Matthew 28:19 (MSG)
19 Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

New International Appointments

EFFECTIVE 1 MAY 2008

COMMISSIONER LINDA BOND, an officer of the Canada & Bermuda Territory currently serving as Director for Spiritual Life Development and International Ecumenical Relations at International Headquarters, is appointed as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, Australia Eastern Territory in succession to Commissioners Les and Coral Strong who will be retiring from active service. Commissioner Bond's successor will be announced in due course.

LT. COLONELS PETER AND JESSICA DALI, officers of the Kenya Territory currently serving respectively as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries in the Zimbabwe Territory, are appointed as command leaders of the Liberia Command, in succession to Majors Robert and Hester Dixon who will be taking up appointment responsibilities in their home territory, USA Eastern. Lt. Colonel Peter Dali is appointed as Officer Commanding, Liberia Command, and Lt. Colonel Jessica Dali as Command President of Women’s Ministries.

MAJORS LINDSAY AND LYNETTE ROWE, officers of the Canada & Bermuda Territory currently serving as divisional leaders in the Western Cape Division of the Southern Africa Territory, are appointed respectively as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries in the Zimbabwe Territory. They will take up their new appointment responsibilities with the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

MAJOR FONA LING, an officer of the Hong Kong & Macau Command currently serving as Regional Commander, Taiwan Region, is to farewell from the region on 31 January 2008 and will receive an appointment in the Australia Southern Territory following furlough. From 1 February to 30 April 2008 COMMISSIONER VERNA SKINNER, a retired officer of the Australia Eastern Territory, is appointed to the interim leadership of the Taiwan Region.

MAJOR MELODY HANUNKA, previously announced (3 December 2007) as being appointed to the role of Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Zambia Territory, will now assume the role of Assistant Territorial President of Women’s Ministries in that territory. Major Saraphina Milambo will continue as Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries.

Genesis 31:49 (KJV)
49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.

Finishing Well

Continuing in a theme at this point of the year, how about finishing well? My father used to say that you could tell a good carpenter or craftsman by how he cleaned up when he was finished. It has to do with completing the job and finishing well.

This would be true about our everyday responsibilities. Have we completed our tasks and have we finished them appropriately? We should.

So the year is coming to a close. Finishing well?

Matthew 25:23 (NIV)
23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Nearly Over

So the year 2007 is nearly over. In a couple of days we enter 2008. Is there something you wanted to get to this year? There's still some time left.

How about getting a jump on 2008? Why wait to get a start on something good to do?

Here are some ideas...read through the Bible. . .start a daily prayer time. . . intentionally tell someone about your faith. . . upgrade your tithe. . . go back to church. . . do a random act of kindness. . .

There's more. Use your imagination...for the good. Today's a good day to start.

Psalms 73:2 (MSG)
2 But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness.