Version 1 or 2?

If you needed a computer program that had a version 1 and a version 2 on offer - which would you choose? If the second version is the updated version and is a total upgrade on the first (which goes without saying!!), which version would you choose - price not being an issue?

I think everyone would go for the second, the newest version, right?

I've been thinking a bit lately about baptism, in both 'versions', water and Spirit and why there is such a big issue around them. I totally understand the baptism of the Spirit, I couldn't live without it, but water - what's the big issue?

We talked about this subject in one of our lectures yesterday so it's sparked a few new thoughts in my head so I'm finally making a big effort and letting it out!

I've been reading parts of the Old Testament in my rations, and I've found in the books of Moses that if something is made 'unclean' it is to be washed with water to be made clean (Leviticus). I was wondering if water baptism evolved from this over many hundreds of years, but that's just a side note...

So, water baptism was carried out by John as a baptism of repentance as a promise salvation that was on it's way. As it says in Luke 3 referring to the prophecy of Isaiah;

"A voice of one calling in the desert,

'Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.

Every valley shall be filled in,

every mountain and hill made low.

The crooked roads shall become straight,

the rough ways smooth.

6And all mankind will see God's salvation."

John was just preparing the way for Jesus, who brings salvation through His blood and then sent the Holy Spirit, the 'upgrade' to water baptism. Once you've called on Jesus to be your Saviour, you will have repented of your sins which separate you from Him and then you receive the Spirit all in one 'version'. [This is also helpful when you find yourself in the desert where there is no water, face to face with Jesus...]

This 'version 2', the baptism of the Holy Spirit, comes with power and all the benefits from the first along with SO much more. Why would you go backward and live off the promise of the second, by living with the first?

Your thoughts?

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;

and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,

and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:8

College update

College.

Busy.

Rosters.

Cleaning.

Uniform.

Prayers.

Class.

Laughing.

This is some of the things that have stood out so far from our first few weeks. It's been an awesome experience, been loving every second of it.

We started last week with official classes on a two week intensive on Worship and preaching which is great, and on the same day we started being deployed out to Wittlesea to assist with the fire relief teams. A team would be sent out every afternoon and night which got as late as 4am some mornings, but as of this evening will be changed to a 5-11 'shift' so our classes will be effected as little as possible, so we don't fall asleep basically.

Still no wireless, hence the lack of blogging, but I thought I'd better quickly blog today to let the world know college is going really well and that I'm alive, very alive actually!! God is great!

If you're a Salvationist and have felt God call you to serve Him in this way, don't be a Jonah and run, but run towards Him, there's no better place to be.

We started our Corps placements yesterday also, I'm placed at Plenty Valley, what a start, a very vibrant attendance and a great atmosphere, a place where God is doing great things and has great plans for, I'm excited to be a part of it.

I better stop it there, got much reading to do and an essay to work on, and no real time to do it presently. I have an hour till a rushed tea before I head out to Wittlesea at 5, so if I improve my time management skills I may place a dint the work.

Bless you all - please feel free to leave a comment to let me know you're out there, it can be a very insular place here at the college

College - We've arrived!

Today, nearly all of the Ambassadors of Holiness have arrived into the Australia Southern Territory Training College in Melbourne, Australia.

There are many tired faces, not too much emotion presently, just a friendly 'hi' here and there without the jumping around sorta excitement of teenage high school days, but still a sense of sincerity and respect.

Due to this transition, the next few days will most likely be without much blogging as Internet and orientation is all still to be sorted out in the not to distant future.

Check this space soon for more updates of the Ambassadors, training college, and things about the Kingdom of God.

Bless ya

"The LORD is my strength and my song;

he has become my salvation.
Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous:

"The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"

Psalm 118:14-15

Saviour of the World

Human Trafficking & Teenage Rape

I've just been watching a movie on Human Trafficking, the largest growing crime in the world and it just makes so much anger burn up inside me. Last week just over 600 young people from around Australia and New Zealand gathered together in Melbourne for a huge youth event called 'Insane'.

A part of Insane was a huge silent protest in Federation Square against this vile crime where around the number of around a jumbo jet full of mostly of women and children go 'missing' everyday and are sold into sexual slavery. There are way too many stories I've heard from individuals that have been involved in this and it really breaks my heart.

We keep telling ourselves that this only happens in far away lands and that it's doesn't really effect us so why do anything?! I want to change the focus slightly to right here on our shores of Australia, slightly different from sexual trafficking, but still sexual victims.

I've been having a few girls coming to me regularly now for months with stories and experiences of young teenage girls mostly getting drugged and raped here in Australia from every corner of the continent and they really develop a sense of self hate and depression. As these girls talk to me, it makes my heart break and I just wish I could really do something to stop this. The part that makes me the most angry is that nearly 100% of these go unnoticed and unpunished. One example I know of is a 26 year old raping a 15 year old girl who was drunk!!! How can we allow this to happen!

I've been told I'm too protective of our young girls, but I want to be a father one day, and this scares the hell out of me when my daughter will become a teenager. Is it culture we need to change or teachings that our children get from tv shows and songs.

We need to start doing something now, something needs to change now!

One life at a time

Break my heart for what breaks Yours God! I promise to do all I can in my power God so just give me access and Your anointing

"He [the wicked man] lies in wait like a lion in cover;

he lies in wait to catch the helpless;

he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. "

Psalm 10:9

Insane.. and more change

Insane starts tomorrow!

I had my last day of employment yesterday!

I'm now in no mans land - in transition of one life into another life

So, anyway, since insane is starting tomorrow - 168 hours of youth madness I'm pretty sure I won't get a chance to blog for a few days. Please be praying for all of these youth in attendance from around our Territory - that is Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, that their lives will be changed and that they will have the time of their lives under the safety of our Sovereign God.

I have to note here, just going back to my last day of work, how God blesses you for just being obedient. The guys at work are just great, going to miss them so much, but since I'm pretty much just moving around the corner, almost literally, I really hope to catch up with them here and there throughout the coming months.

My work mates wrote some great things in my farewell card, but by far the highlight was a poster they put together with pictures of them all and little in jokes and some really nice wishes and blessings. If God didn't call me elsewhere, I don't think I would have been leaving there just yet.

One more request before I sign off, please be praying for all the cadets of the 'Ambassadors of Holiness' session as we prepare to enter into our new life in a couple of weeks time, many of us are now feeling strain and some feeling burdened. God will give us victorious spirits, but it would be great to know that we have a great army backing us up as we go into battle.

Blessings

With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Psalm 60:12

Change

Wow, 2009 has finally arrived!

So much is changing and I think I'm just not thinking about it all yet, so I'm coping.

This is my final week of work, my last day is on Friday before I move straight into this Salvation Army week called 'Insane' where youth from all over our Territory come to Melbourne for a week of activities and fun. I still have no idea what's going on, haven't heard a thing even though I've registered as a leader!! Wonder if I am?!

Packing is still a project that I'm thinking of but not doing a lot of!

I finished up at my home Corps last Sunday and had the best farewell ever, with many friends attending, nice words said and a few favourite songs requested. Everyone back for a bbq and a great game of cricket in the local park.

So, in summary, I've left my church which I've been a part of and built up for 27 years, packing to move out of home after 27 years in the same place with my family which I am very close to, quit my job which I really enjoy after working there for a bit over 4 years, going back to study all in the same building as where I'll be living and I get claustrophobic sometimes, living in a close community with a whole heap of different people with different aspects on things and backgrounds who are all leaders in their own rights and have generally strong personalities. I think I'm actually looking forward to this even though I haven't really got myself to think about it yet

I'm an Ambassador of Holiness, that's a higher calling than worrying about moving location, or the conditions of living, or income, or work, people etc. God is sovereign and always will be.

Come on world, you're yet to find the truth if you're not a disciple of Jesus!

I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me

John 13:20