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Salvos Out There

God has given us a sacred and exciting mission. The mission is about transforming lives, caring for people, making disciples and reforming society. Following our work in Connections and Connecting Forward, we asked God what He was saying to us of the Australia Southern Territory.

Salvos Out There is an engagement that will enable us to fulfill His calling upon our lives and our movement. In this plan we will begin to get out of our comfort zones to meet and engage our neighbours and community to know and honour God.

Be on the lookout for materials that will support you and others to facilitate the mission of God.

2 Samuel 19:7 (MSG)
7 Get hold of yourself; get out there and put some heart into your servants! I swear to God that if you don't go to them they'll desert; not a soldier will be left here by nightfall. And that will be the worst thing that has happened yet."

God's Grace is for You

There are so many people who have a hard time recognising God's grace. What is it that He has to do? Some who win the lottery are quick to thank God, and they probably should. When a person finds a soul mate, they often thank God. When a calamity is narrowly avoided like a close call, gratitude to God is common.

Then do we need a win, or a victory, happiness, or an avoided disaster to see grace? Maybe so.

He could do something dramatic for all of us, instead of one thing at a time in the hope that we get it. So He did. Solving the sin problem and demonstrating His love to all, He gave His son to take our deserved place at no expense to us, only belief. God's grace is for you and me. Hallelujah!

Revelation 22:21 (MSG)
21 The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes!

Thinking of Fathers

Dick & Rick Hoyt, father and son run in marathons together and Ironman competitions as well. I suggest you have a tissue ready as you click on the video link above. Thanks to Team Camberwell Corps for the reference.

Our Father cares for us in this way. Hallelujah!

John 5:20 (MSG)
20 The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing. “But you haven’t seen the half of it yet,

A Promise

Last November, a good friend made a promise to me that I fully expected him to keep. He did. Today, he kept his word and delivered his promise in person at my home. Bless the Lord.

We get a lot of promises in the journey. Many of them are not kept for one reason or another. A child is greatly disappointed when an adult can't keep their word. Trust is easily betrayed and difficult to regain.

The Lord is never short in His promises. His closeness, interest and hope for us is guaranteed. We can count on Him. Thank you, Lord.

2 Peter 1:4 (MSG)
4 We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.

Communication

I suggest that we do everything within our reach to communicate the love of God. Connect when and where we can. We might be standing in line at McDonald's or sitting at the counter of our favourite cafe. Look for ways to share this life saving message.

Maybe we're on the phone at work or standing in a crowded train. Let's take the best opportunity we can. Family coming over or going to the game? Think about how you can communicate the gospel. People's lives are at stake. May God help us as we do.

Romans 14:21 (MSG)
21 When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don't eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.

Army Alive!

I like to play chess, but I'm more excited at a Footy match. I enjoy sitting at the beach reading a book while listening to music, but I'm invigorated with the rythms in the heart of the city. I always loved tucking our kids into bed (when they were young), but I also enjoyed rolling on the floor with them in a wrestling match.

I want to belong to an Army that is alive. The aforementioned examples might suggest that this may be a comment about active and passive. It's not. Being alive means to rise to excitement when God is at work in a person and to fill with joy at a moment of quiet rejoicing at the feet of Jesus.

Let's put some life into our journey, smelling the roses, and actively participating in the glorious grace of God. Hallelujah!

1 Peter 3:18 (MSG)
18 That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.

Looking for Solutions

Want to talk about what's wrong with the world? Enjoy yourself, but can we get to the solutions? The sky is falling...does anyone have an umbrella or something?

Sure, understanding the problem is the beginning of solving it. Can we move on to the solutions? Do we have constructive ideas yo offer? We should.

I believe it was Eldridge Cleaver who said, "If you're not a part of the solution, you're a part of the problem." I think there's some truth there. If you're looking for me today, come over to those who are working on solutions. I hope to be with them.

Zechariah 8:6 (MSG)
6 A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies: "Do the problems of returning and rebuilding by just a few survivors seem too much? But is anything too much for me? Not if I have my say."

Organisational Structures

Once upon a time we were comfortable with linear organisational structures with clear and direct lines of authority. More and more, these systems do not serve us or our mission. One of our problems is that we are so accustomed to these definitions, it's like crawling out of a cavern to consider other possibilities.

Let us be courageous and fresh in our thinking. The new frameworks are more fluid and shapeless and likely susceptible to change sooner than later. I believe we're up to it if we will put ourselves into it with open minds and mission focus. Yes, Lord.

2 Chronicles 2:6 (MSG)
6 But who is capable of building such a structure? Why, the skies—the entire cosmos!—can't begin to contain him. And me, who am I to think I can build a house adequate for God—burning incense to him is about all I'm good for!

Salvo Stores

Across the territory you'll find Salvo Stores. They represent a positive way for people to give their used garments and objects so that others may choose to purchase them at reasonable prices. The income after expenses goes to further support the mission of The Salvation Army.

I'm grateful for every employee and volunteer who help to make this ministry possible. Most of us could find something in the closet to give. Can I suggest that you fix the button or clean the garment first? If the appliance doesn't work, we cannot use it. Thanks for your understanding and support.

Hebrews 13:16 (MSG)
16 Make sure you don't take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of "sacrifice"—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.

Songs of a Faith

We thoroughly enjoyed the songs in worship today at the corps. There was a beautiful mix of genre which was most inspiring and interesting. Accompaniments were the band, piano, organ and music ensemble. Often the music in worship touches my soul deeply as it did today.

Much of the songs we sing are inspired by one of our favourite songwriters, David. The Psalms are sensational and worthy of our attention. I understand that the Reverend Billy Graham reads at least one each day of his life. Give it a try and enjoy the songs of our faith.

Psalms 1:1-2 (MSG)
1 How well God must like you— you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.
2 Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night.

Newcrest Mining Limited

We at The Salvation Army are grateful again to Newcrest Mining Limited for their good support. Having donated considerable funds to Bushfire Relief, they now add to that with employee donations and a corporate match. This is very much appreciated and will be used as promised.

In addition, we entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with them today for the Tinning Street Project. By this arrangement they are supporting both the Creative Opportunities programme and the Brunswick Youth Services of TSA. This is a valuable partnership and we are thankful to this company, their leaders and their employees for this practical concern for their community.

1 Peter 5:2 (MSG)
2 Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously.[

Officers at Work

In addition to employees, volunteers, Soldiers and other members, our officers are fully engaged. From the smallest community to the largest, they are gainfully functioning in their very important roles and purely in their witness of God's grace in their lives.

We are very fortunate to know and work with so many wonderful people. God is alive in them and they are serving Him with diligence and integrity. Thank you, Lord for each one and for your love in them.

1 John 4:7 (MSG)
7 My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God.

God is at Work

God is amazing in the way He reveals Himself in our day to day existence. In no less than two meetings today, His prevenient grace was evident. Hallelujah!

We can rest tonight knowing that He is in control. We need not be anxious. We can trust Him.

Psalms 34:4 (MSG)
4 God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears.