A Servant's New Year Prayer

Lord, as this year concludes and a new year begins, I come to You and ask for Your continued blessings in and through my life.

By your grace, I pray that You would give me
JOY to fill my days,
PEACE to fill my heart,
And LOVE to fill my every action.

Thank You for the plans You have in store for me in this coming year.

I look forward with anticipation to see what will do for me as I live faithfully to serve You!

Jeremiah 29:10a,11 (MSG) ~ "This is God's Word on the subject: '...I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.'"

Confession Is Good For The Soul

Sadly, The Salvation Army don't practice confession. At least not in public worship anyway!
However, I often find it helpful to introduce an occasional liturgy of confession into our corporate worship schedule.

The following prayer was incorporated into our worship setting today as a moment of 'reflection' after the reading of Galatians 4:4-7.

Forgive us, O God, if we are glad that Christmas Day is over for another year.

Forgive us for shaping Christmas into a commercially driven spending spree - in contrast to what happened at Bethlehem in such simple and humble surroundings.

Forgive us when we forget that simplicity as we strive for bigger and better.

Forgive us, O God and grasp us anew with the wonder and the joy of the birth of Christ and help us to understand that the most precious gifts of all are not those which are credit card-costly but those which arise from Christ-centred lives.

(Pause for Personal Silent Reflection)

Lord God, thank you for sending Jesus into the world not to judge us, but to save us. Your Son, our Saviour, is truly the ‘Reason for the Christmas season’.

The great good news is this: In Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
AMEN

(Sourced from http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au - Year B, Christmas 1B)

For This He Came...

Celebrate CHRIST!

Revelation 21:3 (MSG) ~ ‘I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighbourhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, he's their God.’

Love divine, all loves excelling,

Joy of heaven to earth come down;

Fix in us thy humble dwelling;

All thy faithful mercies crown!

Jesus, Thou art all compassion,

Pure unbounded love Thou art;

Visit us with Thy salvation;

Enter every longing heart.

Choral Worship Service

This morning's worship service took the form of a Christmas Chorale, with our angelic Inala Choir presenting "The Morning Son", based on the proclamation of the Christmas story by the angels and the shepherds.

It was truly a God-glorifying and Spirit-inspiring occasion. The presence of God was unmistakable as musicians and narrator sensitively shared the gospel story, so old but so "new".

The message of the angel was "Fear not, for I bring you...LOVE, JOY, PEACE and HOPE through God's gift to the world, Jesus the Christ-child."

When the angels were gone the shepherds said, “We must go and see that which the Lord has made known to us!” (Luke 2:15)

What will your response to God's gift be this Christmas?

Cappuccino Captain!

While sharing a coffee at Bunnings cafe with my wife and a couple of our chapel leaders after church this morning, I was deep in conversation when suddenly, out of the blue, a kid's shoe came flying over the playground gate and smacked me directly in the middle of the forehead. BANG! A little taken aback, I quickly returned the shoe to the other side via a concerned onlooker.

As I took my seat ~ BANG! ~ a second shoe landed directly in the middle of my cappuccino almost fully immersing me in coffee as I sat, shocked, in my wet navy uniform, complete with stained white shirt and tie. I was angered into silence!

About five minutes later, as I was finishing off a free replacement from the compassionate coffee-maker and awaiting the cleanup to be finalized, from the distance I could see a 5yo boy coming toward my table, accompanied by his purposeful father.

On their arrival the father stated, "My son has something to say to you. Go on!" Then followed a confident yet sincere apology: "Excuse me, man! I'm sorry for spilling your coffee." Despite my annoyance, I was gracious enough to accept his genuine apology and give him an assurance of my forgiveness.

Kind of like a live object lesson on forgiveness...and the practice of patience.
Be assured - tomorrow I'm off to the dry cleaners!

Matthew 6:15 (NIV) ~ "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

The Sounds Of Christmas

Today is the 3rd Sunday in Advent and was an opportunity for us to focus on the JOY that Jesus brings to our lives.

As we considered John chapter 1, we reflected on the "Sounds of Christmas" that God wanted the world to hear that first Christmas Day when Jesus, our Immanuel Saviour, dwelt among us as a result of His Incarnation birth.

Through this Divine Intervention into our humanity, God was indeed sounding two important messages to mankind.

1. "I love you!"
2. "I am with you!"

These are the "Sounds of Christmas"! Can you hear them?

It is my sincere prayer that God may richly and abundantly bless you as you allow the sounds of our Saviour’s birth to ring within your heart and mind at this joyful celebration season.

John 1:14 (NLT) ~ "So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness."

Here We Come A-Carolling!

On this second Sunday of Advent, 100 worshippers gathered at the Inala Chapel to enjoy the music ministry of the Melbourne Staff Band. The band's executive officer, Major Len Turner, gave quality spiritual leadership and challenged all present with the question: "Are you ready?"

It's important that, during this Christian season of preparation, we each consciously welcome Christ the King into our lives, expecting the grace of God to fall afresh on us.

As the MSB carolled in the nursing homes, hostels and ILU facilities appreciative residents responded well to the music and the message of Christmas. Hallelujah!

Amazing Christmas Celebration

There's something special about celebrating Christmas with great music. Tonight's AMAZING CELEBRATION certainly lived up to its name with vocalist extraordinaire, Silvie Paladino (pictured left), the vibrant Australian Girls Choir and the Salvos premiere brass musicians, Melbourne Staff Band.

Each participants' God-given musical talents were skillfully used to bless the audience with a God-glorifying, inspirational worship experience.

JESUS is the 'reason for the season' and this was most evident. Praise God!

Song of Solomon 1:4 (MSG) ~ "We'll celebrate, we'll sing, we'll make great music. Yes!"

'Witnesses For Christ' Commissioning

Sunday's worship meetings were full of God-expectant worshippers, Spirit-responsive hearts and Christ-inspired encounters. It was truly a time of sacred celebration. The Word of God was both audible and visible, impacting the lives of worshippers in a way that only God's Holy Spirit can - with confident affirmation and crucial challenge.

Covenanted cadets of the Witnesses For Christ session took a courageous stand as they publicly declared their personal committments to serve God faithfully as Spirit-ordained ministers of the Gospel within their newly-appointed communities.

Our challenge was to 'go deeper' with God and 'venture boldly' for Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. I echo the words of the English Reformer, John Bradford, "There but by the grace of God go I."

Launch out into the deep

O let the shoreline go

Launch out, launch out in the ocean divine

Out where the full tides flow

(Salvation Army chorus section)

On Fire Exhibition & Festival

In His wisdom God has His people a myriad of creative gifts, so that we might glorify Him individually and seek to appreciate and value each other corporately.

This was very evident over the whole weekend, but especially at Saturday's On Fire exhibition and musical festival. The wide range of creative abilities and different mediums of faith expression were a delight to experience and, without a doubt, brought much spiritual blessing and faith inspiration to those who took the opportunity to be there.

I'm glad I was there! The hand of God moved in so many ways and His presence was keenly felt. Praise Him!

2 Timothy 1:6 (NLT) - "I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you."

"Windows of the World" CD

An historic, four-CD compilation of the best of Salvation Army brass and vocal music, featuring staff band, staff songster and territorial music groups from across the world.

Proceeds from the sale of this recording will go to The Salvation Army's project work in developing countries.

Fundraising price: $50

Available from members of the staff sections, Salvo Supplies outlet or

during the Commissioning weekend.

Bare Necessity

I awoke this morning, not to the strains of radio 3AW, but to my wife singing these words.

Christ is the bare necessity
A simple, bare necessity
You've got to leave your worries and your cares
You've got to learn to trust Him
And live Your life just like Him
For Christ is the bare necessity of life.

What a nice thought to awake to!

Often we need a reminder that Jesus is the centre of our everyday, the reason for our existence and our inspiration to live faithfully and confidently in God's gracious love.

John 3:13 (MSG) ~ "...it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life."

Reign Of Christ

According to the Christian Liturgical Calendar, today is the last Sunday in the church year known as Reign of Christ or Christ the King Sunday. It is an opportunity for the church to celebrate and honour Jesus the Christ as King. It is a day to remember that through the power of the Holy Spirit, God calls us to acknowledge that Jesus, and Jesus alone, is worthy to be our Lord, who will judge the world in righteousness.

Quite appropriately, this was our congregational worship focus this morning as we united to sing the hymns "Sing we the King who is coming to reign" and "Rejoice, the Lord is King!" As we considered Christ's teaching on the coming kingdom from Matthew 25, we were encouraged to remember it is not our deeds that make us righteous, but our intimate relationship with Jesus…God’s grace at work through our faith. The invitation to enter the Kingdom is an act of God's grace in the lives of those who allow Christ to reign over their hearts in love.

It is my sincere prayer that the Holy Spirit might continue to work in our hearts and lives, so we might deepen our relationship with God and His Son, inspiring us to live as our worthy ambassadors of the Heavenly King, in preparation for our promised reward.

John 18:37 (NIV) ~ "Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

A Lynn-merick

One of my Facebook friends posted this on my wall this morning.

There once was a guy known as Lynn
Who was too cool to know how to begin
With a heart big as a mountain
His kindness flowed like a fountain
There is no doubt Christ is within him.

It's nice to be affirmed by a fellow believer. My personal prayer in response was "Spirit of the Living God, continue to fall afresh on me."

When was the last time you shared a word of encouragement in the faith with another?
Be a blessing today!

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (MSG) ~ "Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God's living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it."

Ambassadors Of Holiness

God is continuing to raise up people and prepare them for a life of covenanted ministry and service through The Salvation Army. I clearly remember the moment when I arrived at 303 Royal Parade some 15 years ago ~ a further personal confirmation of my 'divinely-purposed' calling.

There are now 24 accepted candidates for the Ambassadors Of Holiness session. Each of them has a unique awareness of God's guiding grace that will set them on an amazing journey of ministry in Jesus' name.

Sean Attard

Monty and Mera Bhardwaj

Envoy Russell Butcher

Jonathan and Katherine Dent

Sarah Eldridge

Envoy Adam Peterson

Envoys Matt and Fiona Kean

Envoys Darren and Susan Lamotte

Paul and Robyn Lorimer

Adam and Catherine Mackenroth

Simon Mapleback
Kathleen Pearce

Cheryl Pryor

Michael Shanks

Andrew and Kirsty Stringer

James and Sarah Thompson

As I reflect on their personal commitment in answering God's call, I am drawn to the Apostle Paul's pastoral prayer from Ephesians 3 and offer it up as an intercession for those mentioned above as they make preparations to commence their officer training in February 2009 ~ and indeed for those who will join them.

"...may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within (you), to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

Ephesians 3:18-20 (NLT)

Practical Love

So many of the hymns and modern songs we use in our worship services focus on the characterstics of God's love or give praise to the sacrificial nature of Christ's love. Very few refer to the practical nature of love that we are instructed through the Word of God to live out in our personal relationships with those around us.

Lieut-Colonel Malcolm Bale, a retired officer from the United Kingdom who I recall served in Australia and soldiered at my home corps in Box Hill, authored the words of song 518 as a personal challenge to us all. Reflect on them and allow the words to bring about transformational change in your everyday witness.

O Lord, whose human hands were quick

To feed the hungry, heal the sick,

Who love by loving deed expressed,

Help me to comfort the distressed.

What is divine about my creed

If I am blind to human need?

For you have said they serve you best

Who serve the helpless and oppressed.

Lord, may your love translucent shine

Through every loving deed of mine,

That men may see the works I do

And give the glory all to you.

1 John 3:18 (NIV) ~ "...let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

A Politician Like No Other

As I listened attentively to Obama's acceptance speech, I was deeply stirred with hope. He spoke with great confidence, humility and, unlike most politicians today, with a real sense of honest commonsense.

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, ...I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there."

Most promise the world and fail to deliver. In my unqualified opinon, Obama's convictions seem to be based on 'doing what needs to be done' and not simply saying what people want to hear'. Obama's acceptance speech was not about 'me', but about 'we' ~ and that's the key to effective leadership and fruitful results.

"This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the ...dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you. God bless you."

...and I pray that likewise He does!

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (MSG) ~ "May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech."

Cup Day

Today I celebrated the Cup. Not the "horse race that stops the nation", but rather the "blessing of God that constantly amazes me" as I put my faith in Jesus!

God has made every provision for the believer to live a life that overflows with God’s grace. The Psalmist reflects on this experience in Psalm 23. As I reflected on this today I was reminded that God’s desire is that we be continually under the control of His Spirit and begin to experience "fullness of life" here and now.

My cup runs over because God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all" that I could ever ask for or begin to imagine. Every believer who has received the fullness of God, and grace upon grace "according to the power that works within us”, can testify to an overflowing cup. It is result of God's superabundant provison that we receive through the Spirit in Christ Jesus.

The fullness of life Jesus gives causes our cups to run over with the fullness of joy. No Christian is poor while Christ is rich. Because of our intimate relationship with Christ we experience the riches of His glory.

Psalm 23:5 (MSG) ~ "...my cup brims with blessing."

My Jesus, I Love Thee

It is difficult to realize that this favourite hymn of mine, which expresses so profoundly a believer's love and gratitude to Christ for what He has accomplished in redemption, was written by a teenager.

The author, William Ralph Featherston (sometimes spelled Featherstone), was born on 23 July 1846 in Montreal, Canada, son of John and Mary Featherston. The family were members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. It is thought that young Featherston penned these words at the time of his conversion experience, when only sixteen years of age. Though information about William Featherston is scarce, it is believed that he then sent the text to his aunt, Mrs. E. Featherston Wilson, living in Los Angeles, who in turn encouraged its publication. It is reported that the original copy of the poem, in the author's boyish handwriting, is still a cherished treasure in the family.

Though William Featherston went to be with the Lord at 27 years of age, it's comforting to know that his inspired composition continues to 'live on' and touch lives with personal impact in ministry today.

Just goes to show that God's blessings are timeless in every aspect!

Verse 2

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,

And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.

I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Urban Conversation: Binge Drinking

I was both disturbed and stirred to share in discussions on the topic of "Binge Drinking & Street Violence - how can we change the culture?" Urban Conversations is an social justice initiative of The Salvation Army Project 614 (Majors Brendan & Sandra Nottle) and tonight's panellists were both informed and informative.

The evening, facilitated by Seven News Journalist and 3AW radio personality, Nick McCallum, featured the following high profile personalities.

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg ~ Psychologist and Media Identity

Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana ~ Victoria Police & Corporate Sponsor for Drug & Alchohol portfolio
Dr Pippa Grange ~ AFL Players Association Psychologist
Nathan Buckley ~ Former Collingwood Captain & Sports Journalist
Paul Ramadge ~ Editor-in-chief of The Age newspaper

Binge drinking is a major community challenge in Australian society that affects our youth, in particular, and countless others in the process. How? Recent research has proved that around 3,000 people die every year because of alcohol abuse and annually it’s estimated 65,000 people are hospitalised because of alcohol abuse. Studies reveal a consistent link between heavy drinking and physical brain damage, in addition to the fact that 2,500 Australians are now treated annually for alcohol related brain damage.

Need more info? Start here: http://salvos.org.au/need-help/the-facts/binge-drinking.php

Most encouraging was the outcome of discussion resulting in committments from the various panellists to take a stand and do all they can to influence a culture of change. The strongest committment was voiced by Paul Ramadge, who declared that The Age would run a focussed campaign dedicated to binge drinking in the hope that tonight's words might be "put into action" to bring about transformational change in our society.

More Than Tolerance

I came across the following challenging ditty and quotation recently as I was sourcing reference material.

To dwell above with saints we love

That will be grace and glory

To live below with saints we know

Well, that’s another story!

G K Chesterton is quoted as saying, All [people] matter. You matter. I matter. It’s the hardest thing in theology to believe.

As I contemplate these words, I offer this personal prayer ~ "Lord, help us to not only be tolerant of others, but really love them."

John 13:34-35 (NIV)
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

GPS

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a widely used navigation and communication aid in today's techo-savvy society. Simply enter your destination details and your journey is planned. All one needs to do is follow the directions and you'll eventually arrive in good time...providing you don't make too many detours along the way!

As Christians, when we trust in Jesus as personal Saviour and Lord and respond obediently to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives we, too, become GPS ~ GOD'S POSITIONED SERVANTS.

From the moment we come to faith until the moment that we stand "face to face" in God's eternal presence we are His communication aid and His navigational instrument in sharing the unconditional love of God with others.

Miriam Richards authored the following words which echo this calling and affirm our personal desire to be "God's Positioned Servants".

Just where He needs me, my Lord has placed me

Just where He needs me, there would I be!

And since He found me, by love He's bound me

To serve Him joyfully.

(SASB 706, chorus)

It is my prayer that you will allow God to be your daily Guide as you seek to be God's Positioned Servant right where He has placed you ~ until you hear the Lord say, "Congratulations! You have reached your destination."

Isaiah 42:16 (MSG) ~ "But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them — sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute."

Words Of Jesus

They are foundational to our faith. They give us an insight into the mission heart and mind of our Saviour. They are often controversial in nature and full of personal challenge. Yes, the words of Jesus!

In select Bibles they are in red, but seldom read. It's surprising to realize how little the Church focusses on the words of Jesus nowadays, opting to give priority to the experiential content of the Psalms, or the exhortative passages of the Apostle Paul or the like.

With this in mind, our weekly Bible discussion group have just commenced working through the words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels and Revelation. The conversation and comments that arise week by week are both informative and inspiring ~ proving that the words of Jesus are still as effective now as they were then.

If you get an opportunity read them for yourself, ponder them...and then allow them to transform you!

Matthew 10:32 (NKJV) ~ "...whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven."

Reflection on Praise

Today has been a continuous expression of praise to God ranging from vibrant, melodious strains of a visiting gospel choir, to personal participation in a reflective ecumenical communion service, to the soul-inspiring talents of a group of Christ-motivated young musicians and the proven personal testimony of life-long, faithful followers.

At Rowville this morning, Brian Hogg mentioned that "praise is not worship; it is the completion of worship". This got me thinking and searching some thoughts based on the subject of praise.

C S Lewis, in his book Reflections on the Psalms, says that "all enjoyment spontaneously flows into praise". It's true that spouses praise their beloved, readers praise their favorite book, food-lovers their dish of choice, etc. We love to praise the things we enjoy because praise is not just the expression of that joy, but also the completion of it.

As people of faith, our praise for God needs to overflow out of our joy in God. To praise Him is to enjoy God to the fullest. Surely, it is in fully enjoying God that we glorify Him the best. Living lives of praise, then, means being saturated with joy in God.

Praise Him with melody; praise Him with song

Tell of His holiness, all the day long

Give Him all majesty earth can afford

Praise Him with melody; praise ye the LORD!

Friendships

The wise King Solomon once deducted that "a sweet friendship refreshes the soul". How right he was! After a rather challenging week, it was refreshing for us to touch base with one of our close friends and spend some quality time together.

Friendship offers us the opportunity to share on a deeper level than the common daily 'surface contacts' we make. Close friendships provide us with a comfortable environment in which to be open and upfront, enabling us to engage in ways that promote personal growth.

How much more rewarding, then, when close friends share a common faith in Jesus Christ! We're truly blessed when we interact on the spiritual level of God-friendships.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (MSG) ~ "The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you."

An Exciting Opportunity

I was thrilled to receive news yesterday of my appointment to the Melbourne Staff Songsters as a member of the gospel choir's tenor section.

Having been an MSS member from 1989-1993, I am very aware of both the personal privilege and ministry responsibility of this additional appointment, and am determined to give of my personal best in this new, exciting endeavour.

I'm looking forward with anticipation to taking an active part in the MSS's vocal evangelism and am expecting a great personal blessing of fellowship in the process.

Isaiah 12:5 (MSG) ~ "Sing praise-songs to God. He's done it all! Let the whole earth know what he's done!"

A Royal Laugh

I was sent this picture titled "UK Credit Crunch" and found it quite amusing. It's a lighter side to the gravity of the stockmarket crisis, and it cracks me up everytime I view it.


Ecclesiastes 10:19 (MSG) ~ "Laughter and bread go together, and wine gives sparkle to life — but it's money that makes the world go around."

A Powerful Assurance

While chatting with a few nursing home residents this morning, the conversation topic turned to the global financial crisis the world is facing. In response to our discussion, one of the Salvo residents piped up, "Cap, I lived through the 30s Depression, and I said it then and I say it now: 'Take the world, but give me Jesus. He alone can satisfy...'!"

The comment, though unpredictable, was full of Christian optimism and made us all smile in agreement. The resident's personal experience spoke loud and clear about her own priorities and the important role that faith and hope continue to play in her own journey.

Never underestimate the power of personal assurance!

Song 6, verse 2 ~ Albert Ernest Dalziel
Forbid that man's achievements should cause our faith to wane
Or seek in human wisdom our spirit to sustain
Lord, surely thou art shaping all things to thy design
And born of this conviction is faith to match our time.

A Timely Word For The World

As the world is experiencing the uncertainties of the global financial crisis, here's a timely word from God's Word that we considered in our chapel service today.

Romans 8:18 ~ “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

Paul goes on the mention God's 'gift of hope'. Likewise, the Bible points us to a hope that is greater than the world we live in. We are reminded that we need to live life with an eternal perspective. If we are in Christ, we have been infused with an eternal sense of hopefulness.

Romans 8:24-25 ~ "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Faith in Christ keeps us from settling for the things of this world, and Christian hope helps us turn our eyes away from our own pain to focus on God's glory.

Hallelujah, we have the hope of future glory now!

General Change 2009

AUSTRALIA SOUTHERN TERRITORY
2009 TERRITORIAL CHANGES OF APPOINTMENT (effective 14 January 2009)

The Territorial Commander has approved the following appointments:

TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY
Major
Trevor Pickens ~ Assistant Territorial Literary Secretary, National Editorial Department – Effective 15 November 2008
Captain
June Knop ~ Editorial Assistant , National Editorial Department
Kerryn Roberts ~ Executive Support Officer

TRAINING COLLEGE
Major
Sandy Crowden ~ External Lecturer – Additional
Wayne Ennis ~ Senior Lecturer
Grattan Savage ~ Dean of Studies and Education Officer – Additional
Glenda Savage ~ Personnel Officer
Judith Soeters ~ Assistant Training Principal
Captain
David Janssen ~ Training Officer
Brad Potter ~ Field Programme Officer
Katrina Potter ~ Training Officer

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY FOR BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Major
Bram Cassidy ~ Assistant Territorial Public Relations Secretary / Operations Manager
Daryl Crowden ~ Territorial Overseas Development Consultant – Additional
Gary Hart ~ Overseas Development Director – Additional
Mark Kop ~ Territorial Planned Giving Operations Manager, PRD – Effective 15 November 2008

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY FOR PERSONNEL
Lt-Colonel
Lyndon Spiller ~ Pastoral Care Officer, Pastoral Care Centre
Major
Jennifer Mundy ~ Officer Resource Secretary, Personnel Department

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY FOR PROGRAMME
Major
Jean Cassidy ~ Employment Plus, Chaplain Region South
Robyn Fernihough ~ Assistant Territorial Social Programme Secretary
Winton Knop ~ Territorial Corps Programme Secretary
Kelvin Merrett ~ Growing Healthy Corps Network Consultant – Additional
Susan May ~ Red Shield Defence Services, Representative (Northern Territory)
Robert Paterson ~ Melbourne Staff Band, Executive Officer – Additional
Captain
Kylie Collinson ~ Assistant Territorial Youth Secretary, Corps Programme Dept
June Knop ~ Territorial 24/7 Prayer Coordinator, Corps Programme Dept – Additional
Genevieve Peterson ~ Territorial Social Policy Consultant, Social Programme Dept
Envoy
Sonia Jeffrey ~ Territorial Children's Ministries Secretary, Corps Programme Dept

OFFICE OF THE TERRITORIAL PRESIDENT FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
Major
Sally-Anne Allchin ~ Assistant Territorial Director Women's Ministries/Resources & Outer Circle Secretary

DIVISIONS

EASTERN VICTORIA DIVISION
Major
Jennifer & Peter Anderson ~ Bentleigh, Corps Officers
Colin & Karen Elkington ~ Doncaster, Corps Officers
Warren Elliott ~ Waverley Temple, Corps Officer
Jean Kaus ~ Positive Lifestyle Centre Eastern Region, Manager – Additional
Lyn & Peter Lindstrom ~ Swinburne (New Plant), Planting Officers
Gregory & Priya Morgan ~ Box Hill, Corps Officers
Wendy Oliver ~ Ringwood Court, Court Chaplain
Captain
Kirsten Elliott ~ Waverley Temple, Corps Officer
Cheryl & Martin Lees ~ Mountain View, Corps Officers
Lynda Price ~ Dandenong Positive Lifestyle Centre, Case Worker
Richard Price ~ South East Services Network, Chaplain
Naomi & Phillip Shelton ~ Pakenham, Corps Officers
Daniel & Melissa Templeman-Twells ~ Warragul, Corps Officers
Bruce & Naomi Thorne ~ Traralgon, Corps Officers
Kathryn Vale ~ Assistant Divisional Secretary Women’s Ministries/Divisional Playgroup Coordinator
Christine & Michael Wright ~ Rosebud, Corps Officers
Envoy
Judy Shaw ~ Rowville, Corps Officer

MELBOURNE CENTRAL DIVISION
Major
Daryl & Sandy Crowden ~ Preston, Corps Officers
Beth Holman ~ Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation for Women, Bridgehaven, Chaplain
Captain
Cheryl Butcher ~ Brunswick, Assistant Corps Officer
Catherine & Christopher Garcia ~ Divisional Youth Officers
Erica & Peter Jones ~ Brunswick Corps Officers
Jason Davies-Kildea ~ Divisional Social Programme Secretary
Michelle Davies-Kildea ~ Chaplain, Courts & Prisons Network

NORTHERN TERRITORY
Major
Wendy Friend ~ Regional Public Relations Secretary – Additional
Karina Wood ~ Regional Youth, Children & Candidates Secretary
Peter Wood ~ Red Shield Hostel, Manager & Top End Social Programme Chaplain
Captain
Craig & Maree White ~ Darwin, Corps Officers

NORTHERN VICTORIA DIVISION
Major
David & Fiona Bartlett ~ Red Cliffs, Corps Officers
Captain
Allan & Carolyn Kerr ~ Kyabram, Corps Officers
Nari & Stuart McGifford ~ Eaglehawk, Corps Officers
Gerald & Mairi Mitchell ~ Seymour, Corps Officers
Simon Pickens ~ Divisional Youth, Children & Candidates Secretary
Envoys
Stewart & Heather Stamp ~ Swan Hill, Corps Officers

SOUTH AUSTRALIA DIVISION
Major
Jenny Craib ~ Divisional Secretary Women's Ministries
Dulcie & Ken Parnell ~ Victor Harbour, Corps Officers
Daryl & Maureen Rawlings ~ Divisional Social Programme Chaplains
Andrew Ruthven ~ Divisional Programme Secretary
Leanne Ruthven ~ Divisional Secretary
Captain
Robert & Roslyn Casburn ~ Copper Coast, Corps Officers
Alan & Marilyn Jenner ~ Millicent/Naracoorte, Corps Officers
Colin & Kylie Palstra ~ Oakden, Corps Officers
Clare & Matt Reeve ~ Adelaide Congress Hall, Assistant Corps Officers
Graham & Kathleen Stanley ~ Semaphore, Corps Officers

TASMANIA DIVISION
Major
Kaye Seccombe ~ Hobart, Assistant Corps Officer
Captain
Judith Brown ~ Burnie, Corps Officer
Claire & Timothy Watson ~ Carlton, Corps Officers

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DIVISION
Major
Debra Stevens ~ Divisional Secretary Women's Ministries
Patricia Willhelme ~ Chaplain, Aged Care & Seaforth Gardens
Captain
Clyde Colls ~ Gosnells, Corps Officer – Additional
Margaret Colls ~ Gosnells, Corps Officer
Dean & Kaye Hill ~ Mobile Outback Ministry - North West
Michelle Myles ~ Armadale, Corps Officer
Nikki Novell ~ Divisional Candidates Secretary – Additional
Brendon Robertson ~ Bridge House, Assistant
Scott Smallacombe ~ Harry Hunter Service, Assistant Manager
Andrew & Jeanette van Gaalen ~ Floreat, Corps Officers
Charles & Sharon Watson ~ Bentley, Corps Officers
Cadets in Appointment
Alison & Gareth MacDonald ~ Northam, Corps Officers

WESTERN VICTORIA DIVISION
Major
Bruce Cassidy ~ Geelong, Corps Officer
Dorothy Poke ~ Kardinia Network Chaplain, Geelong
Captain
Joy Cassidy ~ Geelong, Corps Officer
Allan & Glenda Morrison ~ Horsham, Corps Officers

OVERSEAS & EXCHANGE OFFICERS

INTER TERRITORIAL APPOINTMENTS
Captains Cathy & Darren Elkington ~ to New Zealand, Fiji & Tonga Territory
Captains Allan & Carolyn Kerr ~ from Australia Eastern Territory

RETURNING TO AUSTRALIA SOUTHERN TERRITORY
Majors Daryl & Sandy Crowden
Majors Andrew & Leanne Ruthven

RETURNING TO HOME TERRITORY
Majors Laurie & Simone Robertson ~ Australia Eastern Territory
Majors Mark & Tracy Bearcroft ~ UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland

GENERAL

ON LEAVE
Major Stuart Hamilton
Majors Beth & Graham Roberts
Captain Jeff Vale
Captain Chris Rowley

endorsed by : Commissioner James Knaggs, Territorial Commander, Australia Southern Territory
Thursday 9 October 2008

North Pole Expedition

I was privileged to listen to an inspirational talk by Louise "Ig-Lou" Allard (pictured right) about her 100+km expedition to the North Pole with the 8-member Australian Polar Extreme team. Upon reaching the North Pole on 18 April 2006, Louise went down in the history books as the first Australian woman, and along with her husband, Wayne, the first Australian married couple, to ski to the North Pole. What an achievement!

The ski trip was a tough and challenging one. The team had a hard time making headway in the first few days, with negative drift taking the team south (away from the pole) at up to 10km per day. Compounding the problems were strong northerly winds and unseasonally warm temperatures, between -5 and -15C, which caused large expanses of open water that both hindered progress and made for exciting travel. Two kayaks towed as sleds were employed on a number of occasions to cross open leads from 2-10 metres wide.
After days of what seemed like futile effort, the wind and drift stopped, the sun came out and the temperatures began to drop, eventually reaching the expected -30C. Progress sped up accordingly and the tight-knit and motivated team finally reached the North Pole, a day ahead of schedule.

In her own words, the expedition was "30% physical and 70% mental." Her personal experience and encouraging message to all present was that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. And furthermore, nothing is off limits when you work together as a team!

Spiritually-speaking, we are all on a expedition to eternity. We each need the support of those around us to bring out the best in us. And, knowing that we have God on our side, we can face the future with great confidence.

Luke 1:37 (NIV) ~ "For nothing is impossible with God."

Mission Uganda

Tonight's World Mission Fellowship meeting was most interesting and informative. Major Sylvia Gray (R) shared about her recent mission trip to Uganda, where she gave six months voluntary service at "The Bulrushes", a home for orphaned and abandoned babies operated by the Watoto Organization in Kampala. Sylvia's moving presentation reached our hearts and moved us to care through prayer!

'The Bulrushes' care facility was opened in early 2007 to give loving care to abandoned and rejected babies. These tiny premature babies and toddlers have been found on rubbish heaps, in trash cans or abandoned in hospitals and police stations, and were brought to their new home where they now find acceptance and unconditional love. When these babies are old enough to enter a Watoto Children’s Village, they continue their journey to become Uganda’s next generation of leaders.

The Watoto organization has the motto: "Rescue a child - Raise a leader - Rebuild a nation". It is the result of God's calling upon a dedicated Christian couple who are intentional about resourcing change and transforming lives.

Check out their story on their website: http://www.watoto.com/ and pray for their ongoing ministry. You'll be blessed that you did!

James 1:27 (NIV) ~ "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Rewarding Faith

Faith is one of the most crucial terms in the entire Bible. It denotes the trust one has in another, but it also conveys the idea of the God’s trustworthiness or reliability. Faith is not a passive resignation to life; rather, it is a confidence that God will fulfill His promises and, as a result, causes people to act upon those commands that lead to the promises. Faith means both to believe and to be faithful to the belief. Faith is not a noun, it is a verb!

Genuine Christian faith invites us to respond obediently to God in love, assured that He in return rewards us with all we need.

A faith-filled life is a victorious life, for FAITH STRENGTHENS OUR RESOLVE and RESOLVES OUR WEAKNESSES.

Be encouraged to live by faith everyday and allow God to strengthen your resolve, knowing that as you trust Him believingly, you will resolve your weaknesses in His strength and experience God-confident, Christ-victorious living.

Romans 15:13 (NLT) ~ “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

God's Word

Paul Harrington, rector of the Holy Trinity Church in Adelaide, commences his feature article entitled "A Spiritual Famine" with the following.

"I met a senior Adelaide based Christian leader the other day who was lamenting the state of churches around Adelaide. His observation was that pastors and churches have lost confidence in the gospel to change lives and are failing to teach the Bible to their people.
This gels with trends in church life over recent decades in Australia. Preaching has been swallowed up by communication. Even in orthodox churches where the authority of God's word is upheld in theory, my friend tells me that in practice the Bible is still not opened and explained in public meetings."
(Trinity Times, August 2008)

This rocked me and yet didn't complete shock me either! God's Word is imperative to spiritual development. Consider this word from the Apostle Paul.

"Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (MSG)

I was encouraged to read his concluding sentence: "...our leaders are committed to God's Word and (we) ask all members of our community to affirm this with us. Keep praying that in all our ministries and relationships we will allow the God of the Bible to direct our steps."

Let's not 'water down' the gospel for the sake of popularity, but use it to keep us on track and shape us in the ways of God!

Lord, You have given us a spiritual banquet in Christ.

Booths On Love

General William Booth, Founder of The Salvation Army, is quoted as follows.

"The secret of success is often inquired for. Here it is: it is not in natural gifts, or human bearing, or exceptional opportunities, or earthly advantages, but in a heart consumed with the flame of ardent, holy, heavenly love."

His son, Herbert Howard Booth, founder of The Salvation Army Musical Department, authored these prayerful words.

Let me love thee, thou art claiming every feeling of my soul;
Let that love, in power prevailing, render thee my life, my all.
For life's burdens they are easy, and life's sorrows lose their sting,
If they're carried, Lord, to please thee. If their pain thy smile should win.

Let me love thee, Saviour, take my heart forever;
Nothing but thy favour my soul can satisfy.


PRAY IT... BELIEVE IT...LIVE IT!

Sharing God's Blessings

In sharing with a family member of one of our nursing home residents this afternoon, I again enjoyed the privilege of turning surface conversation into a time of deep spiritual sharing. Together we talked of God's blessings in our lives and how we each value the guiding grace of God, even when experiencing life's most difficult challenges.

Our sharing time reminded me that in Christ we are all chosen family members, and each benefit greatly from the love that God lavishes on us with the dawn of each new day. Living now in God's love is inspiring, but not half as inspiring as it will be when we gather together in His glorious, rewarding presence.

Jude 1:24-25 (MSG) ~ "And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes."

Divine Certainties

My personal faith experience has taught me that when all else around me fails, God, in His grace and love, always prevails.

I was recently reminded of this Divine assurance when I read the following words from Psalms Now 93.

It may not always be apparent, but God does reign over our world.

He rules in majesty and might, and no philosophy or power can cast Him from His throne.

He allows us to mess up His purposes - even to destroy His visible creation about us.

But His place and His reign are eternally secure.

And so are they who put their trust in Him, who live by His precepts, and who follow His course for their lives.

(Leslie F Brandt)

Father-heart Of God

On this Father’s Day, we were reminded that the Father-heart of God is LOVE ~ Faithful Love. There is nothing so immeasurable or as important as God’s Love and yet His Love is so misunderstood by man today. GOD IS LOVE! Have you ever considered the magnitude of that statement?

GOD’S LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL
We love Him because He first loved us.
God’s love is not in any way influenced by anything we say or do

1 John 3:1 (NKJV) ~ "Behold what manner of love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"

God does not love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because God loves us.
Nothing we say or do can make Him love us less.
No matter what your life has been like, He still loves you!
The most important thing that you can learn in life is that God never stops loving you!

GOD’S LOVE IS UNENDING
God’s love for us is from eternity - without beginning and without ending
It is no secret, concerning our Father’s love: God doesn’t just love His children every now and then; indeed, it is a "love without end, Amen."

GOD’S LOVE IS UNCHANGABLE
One day C. H. Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As they strolled along, the evangelist noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the vane were these words: GOD IS LOVE. Spurgeon remarked to his companion that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. “Weather vanes are changeable,” he said, “but God’s love is constant.”
Spurgeon’s friend responded, “I don’t agree with you about those words, Charles. You misunderstood the meaning. That sign is indicating a truth: Regardless of which way the wind blows, God is love.”

THE FATHER-HEART OF GOD IS LOVE ~ Unconditional, Unending, Unchangable!

Celebrating Christlike Living

MAJOR JEAN PARKER (31 April 1921-29 August 2008)

That was then...this is now!
While the years may change the outward appearance, Jean's characteristic smile endured. Her natural charm and spiritual beauty were always reflective of the love she experienced from living in relationship with her Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

Jean's Christlike life was celebrated today as we met to give thanks to God for her exemplary ministry that impacted, not only me personally, but countless others who were privileged to have known her.

The territorial tribute summed it up well ~ Major Jean Parker was known as a compassionate pastor with a bright and positive attitude to life.

Lord, help us all to live Christlike and God-honouring lives everyday!

Grace In The Midst

A dear Christian friend forwarded us this meditation portion from her Bible devotional guide.

"When sickness or disability come and, despite prayer and medical treatment, stubbornly remain, be on the alert for the grace of God which is flowing into your 'dungeon'. A Christian, you see, can never be defeated. If the sickness goes, then he is free to follow his usual routine; but if it doesn't go, then he is promised grace to cope with it, and even to transform it.
So, as Christians, either way we win!"

Yes, yes, yes! Thank you Lord. Your grace continues to amaze us!

Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) ~ "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

I'll Walk With God

In preparation for this worship coming Sunday (Father's Day), I asked a member of our chapel what his favourite hymn was. He responded unhesitatingly, "I'll Walk With God".

As it turns out it is not in our Salvation Army songbook, but I'm hoping somehow to include these 'hope-filled' words written by Paul Francis Webster (a 1954 composition that was made popular through the movie, The Student Prince).

I'll walk with God from this day on.
His helping hand I'll lean upon.
This is my prayer, my humble plea,
May the Lord be ever with me.
There is no death, tho' eyes grow dim.
There is no fear when I'm near to Him.
I'll lean on Him forever
And He'll forsake me never.
He will not fail me
As long as my faith is strong,
Whatever road I may walk along.
I'll walk with God, I'll take His hand.
I'll talk with God, He'll understand.
I'll pray to Him, each day to Him
And He'll hear the words that I say.
His hand will guide my throne and rod
And I'll never walk alone
While I walk with God.

Do you know this experience personally? By God's Grace you can. Today.
God's empowering Presence is available to all who believe.

If you have a moment today, listen to this recording by Mario Lanza. It is sure to inspire!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J8nJaYOr7M

Believing Prayer

"Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you... Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well... pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." James 5:13-16 (NLT)

In light of current circumstances, this passage of Scripture has been on my mind in recent days. The experience of being surrounded with prayer is both comforting and assuring. It enables people of faith to trust believingly for a good outcome, despite present frustrations.

Believing prayer brings peace of mind, hope of heart and is a balm to the soul. James hit the nail on the head when he shared, "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."

Healer Lord, we believe!

Water Of Life

More often than not new tunes to old hymns results in fresh perspective and greater appeal.

In listening to my recently purchased copy of the Melbourne Staff Songsters' Every Breath CD, I was inspired by Richard Squibb's arrangement of General Albert Orsborn's song, entitled "Water Of Life". I was blessed deep in my soul with a personal assurance that the refreshment I need for today is always available when I come seeking God's grace and, in faith, believe that He will work in and through my circumstances. And true to His word, He did!

For your reflection, here are the words of the chorus. Better still, get a copy of the CD and listen to Track 6. You're sure to be blessed!

The well is deep and I require a draught of the water of life,

But none can quench my soul's desire for a draught of the water of life;

Till one draws near who the cry will heed,

Helper of men in their time of need,

And I, believing, find indeed that Christ is the water of life.

(Salvation Army Song Book #351)

Timely Word

We all need sources of personal encouragement to renew and refresh our spirits. As a Christian, the Bible often provides us with the encouraging word that we need to kick start our weariness and inspire us to focus on the future with confidence and hope.

This morning as I entered my blogspot, I was immediately encouraged by the promise of Isaiah 26:3 displayed in Verse Of The Day. With all that my wife and I have been facing in recent days, it was certainly a 'timely word'.

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."

When you find yourself weary in body, mind and spirit, know that God provides the recharge we need when we need it the most. Be encouraged by God's Word to you!

Nun's Beauty Contest

Well...I never ceased to be amazed!

From correspondents in Rome
August 24, 2008 11:59pm

THE first beauty pageant for nuns debuts next month with the advent of Miss Sister Italy aimed at erasing a stereotype of nuns as being old and sad, a newspaper has reported today.
"Nuns are above all women and beauty is a gift from God,'' priest Antonio Rungi of the southern Italian diocese of Modragone told the daily Corriere della Sera.
"This contest will be a way to show there isn't just the beauty we see on television but also a more discrete charm,'' he said.

Nuns wishing to participate in the contest should send their picture to Rungi, who will publish it on his blog. Internet surfers can then vote for their favourite nun online.

The idea of organising a beauty pageant had been pushed by the nuns themselves, he said.
About 1000 were expeted to enter.

1 Samuel 16:7 (MSG) ~ "Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart."

Kept By God's Love

This morning we reflected on the fact that God provides for us in ways we may not at first recognize, for we are kept by God's love.

In her book The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells of difficult times in Holland during the German invasion. One night Corrie tossed restlessly in her bed as warplanes roared overhead, shattering the blackness with fiery artillery. Hearing her sister downstairs in the kitchen, and unable to sleep, she went downstairs for a cup of tea. She and her sister talked until the night was quiet again and the sound of the fighter planes had died away. Explosions had ripped nearby, but now all was quiet.

Groping through the darkness to her room, Corrie reached out her hand to pat her pillow before lying down. Suddenly she felt something sharp cutting her hand. It was a jagged piece of metal ten inches long - a piece of shrapnel from an exploded bomb.Corrie said to her sister, “Betsy, if I had not heard you in the kitchen...” To which her sister replied, “Don’t say it, Corrie! There are no IFs in God’s world. The centre of his will is our safety.”

Perhaps with eyes of faith you might look back on some experience of your own to see that God was at work providing for your needs. Maybe you did not recognize it at first, but looking at it now you can only say, “It was the hand of God, and I didn’t know it then!”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) ~ "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

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SAOs Appointed To Kuwait

International Headquarters announces that The Salvation Army has appointed officers to the Arabic Gulf State of Kuwait.

This decision was reached following intensive research and visits to the country by the General’s Representative for Global Evangelisation (Colonel Dick Krommenhoek) and the International Secretary for South Asia (Commissioner Lalkiamlova) in 2007.

Majors Michael and Teresa Hawley, officers of the USA Southern Territory, have been selected by the General to lead the Army in this bold step of faith.

Within Kuwait, the authorities officially recognise three principal churches, Protestant, Roman Catholic and Coptic, and provide three separate compounds for these churches to conduct worship, teach and to preach. The Army will be located in the Protestant compound which is officially known as the National Evangelical Church of Kuwait. In this compound, the Army has been allocated suitable accommodation for meetings, administration and residence for the officers, hosted by the National Evangelical Church of Kuwait.

It is anticipated that among the large immigrant population, there could be up to 350 Salvationists from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

The leaders of the Protestant compound believe The Salvation Army can add an important dimension to the development of the Church in Kuwait.

All Salvationists are encouraged to pray for this new venture within the '10/40 Window'.

Pray for Majors Michael and Teresa Hawley and other officers who may join them in the future.

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Primitive Methods

With the ever-increasing developments in technology come our ever-increasing reliance on, and personal expectations of, better outcomes. I was rather embarrassed today (though on reflection quite amused!) when seeking a second opinion on an orthotic assessment technique. I was explaining to the specialist my experience of a recent assessment and mentioned that the technique used was "rather primitive". To which he replied, "Yes, I'm afraid that the initial assessment method is quite crude. It seems to me that a correct assessment was made initially. The trouble is that we as a society have become too advanced in our expectations."

The reminder was clear ~ often it pays to get "back to basics" and not rely solely on what is newer, better or more ideal. Proven practices are most often more effective, because they are tried and true. In "getting back to basics", Jesus summed up the Commandments in a nutshell: "The most important one is this: ...Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

Not bad advice for us to follow. Primitive methods do pay off.

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In His Presence...

When the world seems out of control and life experiences seem tough, we can always find the shelter, peace and refuge we need in God alone. It is during the difficulties of life that we experience most the comfort of living in God’s presence and knowing the benefits of His hand upon our lives and our circumstances ~ comforted because we are innately aware of God’s guiding presence and His loving empowerment.

When we long for times of personal renewal and refreshment, sensing the presence of the Lord brings an undeniable sense of comfort to us in our need.

In God's Presence we find...REST, RENEWAL and REFRESHMENT.

Psalm 91:1-2 (NLT) ~ “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I will trust him."

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At first glance I thought this was Equestrian! (lol)

Still Small Voice

Rushing home this afternoon, somewhat weary from the day's ministry, I stopped at the traffic lights and looked across at an all too familiar hospital located on the adjacent corner. While waiting for the signal to go, I suddenly remembered that one of our chapel members had been admitted the day before. Should I visit? No, yes, no...after all, I'm too tired and just need to recuperate a little. On the other hand, it might be nice to pop in for a while. Perhaps not! The lights have changed in my favour.

Well, I crossed the intersection and felt that God was somehow behind the wheel, for next thing I knew I had turned into the carpark driveway even though my mind said "C'mon, drive on!" Resigning myself to a hospital visit, I made my way through the ward and arrived at the patient's bedside only to find her in a state of utter despair and frustration. And immediately I knew that God had directed me there ~ my presence was needed in that very room. Without a doubt, this was a "God moment" for me and a "Grace moment" for my dear friend.

As we shared together, the hymn verses composed centuries ago by John G Whittier came alive and inspired me in my own weariness.

Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm!

It always pays to listen to the 'still, small voice' within and be guided in the ways of God!

1 Kings 19:11-12 (MSG) ~ "God will pass by... but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper."

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Love Changes Lives

While conducting the private funeral service for a most gracious woman of God and delightful Inala resident this afternoon, I sensed the very positive influence of her unconditional love as I shared with the bereaved family members.

A simple comment from one of the relatives caused me to recall Don Black and Charles Hart's lyrics of the well-loved Andrew Lloyd-Webber composition, Love Changes Everything, as I drove home.
The comment: "Mum's love always inspired me and will continue to guide me. Reflecting today on her love and influence impacts me greatly. Thank you!"
The Lloyd-Webber musical phrase: "Love will never ever let you be the same."

Here's a further thought that came to my mind. Reflect on it!

Faith moves mountains, but Love changes lives.

1 Cor 13:7-8a (MSG) ~ "Love...trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end. Love never dies."

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