The Future

Today field changes came out for Officers of The Salvation Army. This is where appointments can be changed and the unseen future for the coming year becomes clearer, well apart from the second year Cadets, they still don't know, but much speculation is happening :)

There was some talk even of the first year Cadet's placement for next year at the end of tea. I had some ideas in my head that I'd love to experience during this time, while still in training and was hoping to have some say in it, but it appears that is not the case this time round.

Very frustrated, I decided to run it out and sprinted around the Zoo at the back of the College and came back and had a long(ish) shower. As I was getting out, my ipod changed to the song that I haven't heard for a while now - "I'm in His hands" [Phil Laeger version] - God makes me laugh hard sometimes!!

After a day of letting a few things get the better of me, God gave me a good wake up slap and reminded me gently; what am I worried about.. I'm in His hands!!!! I trust God with my future, sometimes I struggle with this, but after tonight, I'm still feeling slightly unsettled, but I have His assurance going into tomorrow that He'll be with me and walking beside me all the way.

"I"m in His hands, I'm in His hands

Whate'ver the future holds, I'm in His hands

The days I cannot see, have all been planned for me

His way is best you see, I'm in His hands"

Words by Stanley E. Ditmer

'Extremists'

Here in Australia, we seem to have what I seem to call, the 'Tall Poppy Syndrome".

When someone either stands out or does something significant and makes some sort of impact, where other cultures would most likely congratulate them, possibly give them a medal or an acknowledgement, we here in Oz rip them down instead.

Good huh! I'm sure I'm to blame also.

Within the Salvation Army, I heard someone the other day give someone else the title as an 'extremist'. This person who received this title is someone who does amazing work and stands unwavering for what he believes and is making a huge impact on the world. He has also received an unbelievable amount of opposition from people he fights alongside, who you would think would be supporting him, since they are on the 'same side'.

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. (Mark 3:24)

How can the Salvation Army go forward if we do not support the people in the battle alongside us. If we turn on each other - the enemy has already one.

We mostly hear the term 'extremist' in this present days talking about the 'Muslim extremists' or some other people who are doing things that are shaking the planet in negative ways. I'll tell you now, soon a day is coming when you will be wanting more of these extremists within the Salvation Army! The extremists that we have now that we are tearing down will be the ones you will be counting on, they will be the people that you will be hiding behind when all the extremists go head to head - and I believe our 'extremist/s' that we have within the Salvation Army will make us proud in this situation even if it happened today.

We need to be in the business of producing and training 'extremists' for Jesus, people/soldiers/nutcases that really, truly have a relationship with the Saviour of every soul in the universe and will stand for what they believe no matter if they are standing in a pub/club getting pressured into drinking poison or kneeling with a gun to their head being told to deny the only truth that really matters.

We need a Salvation Army extremist leading the battle training up future extremists - the battle is stirring - I want to be ready - I want to be on the winning side (that's why I'm with Jesus!) - I want to be fighting next to a legion of extremists - I want a session of extremists that will not compromise.

Maybe we are entering into this era as we speak (or as you read)... will you stand up and join us?

We need you! Which side are you fighting on?

"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:12-14

Victory

"All our victories are won before we go into the fight"

Smith Wigglesworth

Albertine

ALBERTINE
(Brooke Fraiser)

I am sitting still
I think of Angelique
Her mothers voice over me
And the bullets in the wall where it fell silent
And on a thousandth hill, I think of Albertine
There in her eyes what I don't see with my own
Rwanda

[CHORUS]
Now that I have seen, I am responsible
Faith without deeds is dead
Now that I have held you in my own arms, I cannot let go till you are

I am on a plane across a distant sea
But I carry you in me
and the dust on, the dust on, the dust on my feet
Rwanda

[CHORUS]

[BRIGDE]
I will tell the world, I will tell them where I've been
I will keep my word
I will tell them Albertine

[CHORUS]

I am on a stage, a thousand eyes on me
I will tell them, Albertine
I will tell them, Albertine

I'll fight!

We sing some really nice songs in church, don't we! Some great theological truths that help us remember what's in the Bible, and some newer songs with just good tunes.

I love some Salvo song's 'cos of the lyrics, so much depth, truth and meat! They also can fuel our mission.

Here's one with some good words in parts (cheesy in others), but how seriously do you listen to the words - and most importantly, how close does your life reflect the words you sing (this reflects words you sing on general radio songs also!)

Something for you to enjoy, but also to think about.

"Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")
He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.'

Mark 7:18-20

Uniform

I found this on Blood and Fire (see right column) (and photo from thewarcollege.com) and thought it was a great excerpt of why the Salvation Army have our unique uniform wearing approach to salvation, being an obvious presence and how it opens up so many doors and opportunities.

Why a uniform?

Although uniform wearing is not compulsory for Salvation Army Soldiers, most soldiers still chose to be identified by the clothes that they wear to church. Elijah Cadman an early pioneer of the Salvation Army was the first Salvationist to don a uniform. He did it because he wanted the devil to know that he meant to "fight to the death".

The uniform has changed over the years to reflect modern trends and undoubtedly will change in the future. However, many Salvationists could not envisage carrying out their distinct mission without one. The uniform has made Salvationists vulnerable to approach from the needy. When worn by a soldier with an on-fire testimony it becomes a passport to countless opportunities for service.

Salvationists continue to ensure that their uniforms to link them with the unsaved and do not serve as a barrier between us and those we long to serve. Military soldiers have different uniforms for different types of combat. Salvationists too need to know when to keep uniforms on and when to take them off.

One thing that was mentioned at ACC was human trafficking along with sex trafficking and talking about going into brothels and places connected with them, and our uniform was a great 'door opener' where if we had no uniform it would be a totally awkward situation if we wanted to go in to make a network and get our 'foot in the door' if you understand what I mean!

Sure uniform takes many different forms these days, but still whether it's a shirt with a red shield on it or a high neck uniform, it still is the symbol of SALVATION and a great reminder we're ultimately after leading a person into a relationship with Jesus!!

Join the war, become a soldier!

Follow!

"After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 'The time has come', He said. 'The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!'

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake for they were fishermen. 'Come follow me' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'

At once they left their nets and followed Him"

Mark 1:14-18

Is Jesus telling you to leave your nets today and to follow Him?

Determination

How determined are we to claim God's promises. How determined are we to pray through problems? How determined are we to get as many people into Heaven as we can?

How determined are we as people of God to be determined about anything?

Determination and dedication are two things that are generally missing in the world today. Dedication and determination in relationships/marrage, with our children, discipline, and so on.

The reason I bring this up is God asked me to make a new covenant with Him last Sunday night, a covenant to be Holy, not just know about being Holy, but acutally BE HOLY. I had to let go of things in my life that were getting in the way - 'flesh' things from being human that I had to totally give up to make this covenant. I could have very easily just said "yeah God, I'll do that" but not really entered into a true covenant!

I was determined to dedicate myself totally to this covenant with God. He asked me to do this so it must be for a purpose but most importantly - for His glory, so I set my whole self to do this - body, mind and soul. It took me a whole 10 minutes or so to pray through this before saying 'yes' and committing to it.

How often do we dedicate determined prayer to pray through things to truly commit to things like this?? This particular example only took 10 minutes to pray through, but if it took 3 hours, I still would have done it!!

We need to refuse to stop praying until we receive the blessing. I am reminded of Jacob when he wrestled with the Angel all night and refused to let it go until he got his blessing (see Genesis 32:22-31) and it even cost him an injury! For God's sake, lets be determined to finish everything we start, see it from start to finish and be determined to succeed and ultimately bring God glory!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God."

Philippians 4:6

Now or later?!

Have you ever experienced yourself saying things like "it's ok, I'll study harder next year" or "I'd be able to be so much better if I just had the next model up!" or even "I'll be able to play so much better with that new guitar!!".

Just to let you know, that last one is a real example that I've experienced and occasionally keep believing will be true - but I find it doesn't actually make be play better but makes me feel better about myself only for a short time.

We're so much like this in so many aspects of our life we keep wanting to be something else, to be somewhere else and don't realise God has given us everything we need here and now! I was thinking the other day, I'm still so not ready for full time ministry or even not up to the challenge of where I am now, but God reminded me of the examples in the top paragraph. Whether I'm an Officer of the Salvation Army or even a Soldier, God has 'ordained' me, or place a blessing on my life NOW to do the things he has asked of me NOW. Status or age doesn't really matter. Things wont be different in the future - my personality is my personality, I won't be anymore motivated next year to what I am now.

I'm going to have the same confidence if I have red epaulets or blue ones!! Be bold and courageous, God is with us and if He has asked us to do something or placed us in a certain ministry - do it with all your heart and all your strength! Don't be weak, afraid or half hearted - you're building up the Kingdom of God and He is depending on you to do a good job - He wouldn't entrust you with it if He didn't think you could do it!

Put on the armour and storm the forts with all you have - with all that God has given you for the task already!! Go with God and all His blessing and also know there are Angels all around guiding your footsteps also.

I will give you every place where you set your foot as I promised Moses...Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them

Joshua 1:3,6

see also for godincidence/interest sake - http://tcspeak.blogspot.com/2007/05/every-soldier-needed.html