Mission Refocus

Affirmation, challenge, rebuke and empowerment ~ these are all words that describe some of what we have experienced as we shared in the two-day intensive Corps Mission Conference under the instruction of Rev Dr Paul Borden.

Together we explored the purpose for which God raised up the Church and considered leadership principles to most effectively focus God's people on achieving the Great Commission, while retaining our unique ministry to the identified target group.

Obviously, we have had a lot of missional food for thought. But be assured that it will not be wasted. We're committed to leading our seniors-focussed ministry into maximum health!

Matthew 28:19 (MSG) ~ " Jesus gave his charge: God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life..."

Senior Singspiration

It's amazing to see the way that seniors respond to music, and hymn-singing, in particular.

Recently, due to a number of circumstances, we decided to change the format of our weekly church service in one of our nursing homes. Rather than continue with the structured service including songs, Bible reading, prayer and scripture comment, we introduced an informal hymn sing-along style meeting ("less talking/more music").

The response has been most positive ~ more residents attending due to the relaxed setting; staff members joining in and assisting the residents; as well as a noticeable increase in physical responses from dementia residents.

Pleasant smiles...hand-clapping...foot-tapping...memory recall.
These responses to the music we share bring a renewed inspiration to our vital ministry and make it all the more worthwhile.

Continue to give us "senior singspiration", Lord!

Christian Endurance

The Beijing Olympics is fast approaching as we are constantly reminded by the daily media. The athletes who have been chosen to participate have undergone stringent preparations and training to secure themselves a place in the race, in the hope that their physical endurance will result in them being crowned winners in their respective sporting field.

Likewise, if we want to be winners in the Christian faith race, we must have a spirit of endurance. This was the focus of our worshipful reflection on Hebrews 12:1-2 as we were encouraged to keep "Running The Race" and celebrated the empowering presence of God in and through our lives. What a blessed experience and inspiring time it was to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith"!

Hebrews 12:1 (ICB) ~ “So we have many people of faith around us. Their lives tell us what faith means.”

As the World Youth Day celebrations and visit of Pope Benedict VI come to a close today in Sydney, during our sing-along this evening we sang these words prayerfully.

He who would valiant be 'gainst all disaster,
Let him in constancy follow the Master!
There's no discouragement shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.

Since, Lord, thou dost defend us with thy Spirit;
We know we at the end shall life inherit.
Then fancies flee away, I'll fear not what men say,
I'll labor night and day to be a pilgrim.

Chaplains Togetherness

"Refresh...mint" was the theme for the Eastern Victoria Division's Chaplains Retreat. It provided an opportunity for personal encouragement, chaplaincy updates, reflective worship, open/honest sharing and group discussions. Despite the variety of our chaplaincy ministries, we met on common ground to "share the joy and lighten the load" and, in a personal sense, to seek renewal of hope for the challenges of chaplaincy.

One of the key discussion points centred around the fact that integrated mission needs integrated administration and organizational cooperation at all levels if it is to be implemented effectively.

A refreshing thought was that individually, and indeed The Salvation Army corporately, is not perfect, but that we "perfected in Christ" as we rely upon God's grace to enable us to be "the life and light of Christ" in our respective incarnational community ministries.

With this in mind, we prayerfully declared:

Lord Jesus Christ, you have called us together
To rejoice in who You are and to delight in who we are because of You!
We stand amazed in Your presence
Because You, o Lord, live Your life in us!

Proverbs 11:25 ~ “The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

I Love The One Who Made The Stars!

This new composition by Major Howard Davies was flowing through my mind today and stirring my heart with wonder and praise. It was written especially for the cadets at The Salvation Army Training College in Lusaka, Zambia at the request of Major John Farquharson (fellow Australia Southern officer who is serving pro-tem as Training Principal, Zambia) and is primarily intended as a form of acapella praise.

Be blessed within your soul!

I love the One who made the stars!

Who formed the endless universe;

Who rules in majesty above,

While all creation shouts His love!

I love the One who came to earth!

Who healed the sick and raised the dead;

Who stilled the waves and calmed the storm;

The Son of God in human form.

I love the One who died for me!

Who took my place on Calvary;

Who bore my sin and owned my shame,

I tremble, that He took the blame.

I love the One who conquered death!

Who smashed the darkest dread of all;

Who lives to banish all my fears;

And wipe away the mourner's tears.

I love the One who soon returns!

To judge the world and claim His own;

Restoring all things that were lost;

His love the pow'r, His blood the cost!

Such mystery I cannot tell!

I only know I long to see

And love Him through eternity.

Called Home To Heaven

Today at Inala Chapel we celebrated with thanksgiving to God the life and ministry of Major Douglas Young. As far as life-long covenanted service goes Doug certainly maintained a constant, faithful witness, even on into his active retirement years.

The officiating officer, Major Bram Cassidy (CO, Waverley Temple), commenced by quoting the words of Amos Traver ~ "Death is not a full stop, but a comma in the story of life" ~ commenting that for Christians, death is the comma that accentuates the eternal hope we live for and experience as our promised reward.

We assure his wife and ministry partner, Major Vi Young, daughter Envoy Kaye and son-in-law Envoy John Williamson (currently serving in Jamaica), and granchildren, Kelly and Stephen, of our prayerful support for future days ~ confident that God's abundant grace is always sufficient.

What a wonderful man of God and spiritual giant! Major Doug's life certainly proved the saying, "It's not how you start but how well you finish that matters most."

The major's favourite word of challenge is a good conclusion here ~ "If Christ is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all!"

Song 890 (verses 1 and 5)

Servant of God, well done!

Rest from thy loved employ;

The battle fought, the victory won,

Enter thy Master's joy.

Soldier of Christ, well done!

Praise be thy new employ;

And while eternal ages run,

Rest in thy Saviour's joy.

James Montgomery

The Contentment of Singing

Now here's an interesting extract from today's Herald Sun.

"SINGING regularly with others makes you happier, according to Australian research which suggests choristers have a better quality of life than other people. The survey of more than 100 choral singers in Australia, Germany and the UK is the latest to point to the benefits of music on health. It found that while people who join singing groups tend to be less healthy than the average person, they are in fact happier.
"They're actually much more satisfied with their health overall and their life in general than everyone else,'' said Professor Don Stewart, head of public health at Griffith University in Queensland. "It's quite a remarkable find really, and quite inspiring.''
...Prof Stewart said the act of singing had been proven to have physiological benefits, stimulating circulation, improving lung function and releasing endorphins that boost mood. Some scientists have suggested it also strengthens the immune system by increasing concentrations of immunoglobin A in the blood. But Prof Stewart said if the benefits were physical alone anyone could get them from singing in the shower, and that is not the case. "It's very much about the act of togetherness, the importance of being involved with others gives people this strong sense of connectedness and wellbeing we think,'' he said. "It seems to be quite a powerful effect.''

This is particularly encouraging following tonight's choir rehearsal and the personal knowledge we have that this is a proven witness in the lives of our own seniors who we are privileged to journey with.

Exodus 15:1 (MSG) ~ "I'm singing my heart out to God—what a victory!"

Art Appreciation

Impressionist...contemporary...portrait...abstract...landscapes...
"A picture tells a thousand words!"

With over 750 art exhibits, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the diverse range of artistic creations. Some designs are more likeable than others, however, it is really a matter of personal opinion. In the last couple of days I've come to learn that the best way to view such an art exhibition is by means of 'open appreciation' ~ being mindful that each work of art has a unique creator who has done their best to express themselves through artistic design.

But what of Faith Appreciation?

Psalm 107:42b (MSG) ~ "...it's time you appreciated God's deep love."

Majors Jim and Marion Weymouth

Members of the World Mission Fellowship were privileged to welcome Majors Jim and Marion Weymouth as our guest speakers.

Sharing enthusiastically about their three year term of service in the Hong Kong & Macau Command, we rejoiced with them in the many opportunities that they have been blessed to experience in their educational ministry roles.

As I reflected on their visual presentation I was reminded that the Greek word for 'enthuse' (en theos) literally means "in God". And I was encouraged that the Weymouths' dedicated service to different cultures is evidence that they have a deep desire to be Christ in the communities where they serve as they are graced "in God" with all they need.

Pray for Jim and Marion as they prepare to conclude their service in Hong Kong and commence new training college appointments in Zambia from 1 October.

Let This Mind Be In You

Philippians 2:5a (NKJV) ~ "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus..."

Our time of worship today focussed on this verse as we corporately praised God with thanksgiving for the inspired lives and devoted service of the Army's Founders, William and Catherine Booth.

As Christians, we each need to have a deep desire to pursue a Christlike mind. Taking the example of the Booths as a role model to the Apostle Paul's personal invitation we explored these holiness statements.

Let this surrendered mind be in me!
Let this sanctified mind be in me!
Let this worshipping mind be in me!
Let this loving, caring mind be in me!
Let this obedient and humble mind be in me!
Let this victorious mind be in me!

The choir's message, I want to be like Jesus, composed by Major Howard Davies complimented these holiness thoughts well.

When I think about the purity of Jesus
In this fallen world His beauty stands alone
No one else in all the ages was as good as He
How I want to be like Jesus in my heart!

How I mourn the sinful weakness of my nature
How I long He would more godliness impart
His the grace that causes me to come with childlike faith
Makes me want to be like Jesus in my heart!

Then at last the day will come when I shall see Him
All complete the work in me His grace did start
Just to contemplate His glory makes me plead once more
Yes, I want to be like Jesus in my heart!

O! I want to be like Jesus in my heart!
O! I want to be like Jesus in my heart!
In my heart,
In my heart,
O! I want to be like Jesus in my heart!

Celebrating Love and Grace

Love and grace were celebrated today. Two different expressions but both contained rich personal and spiritual blessings!

The first was a hospital visit with a beautiful woman of God who is celebrating the abundant love and daily grace of God in her life, despite facing a poor prognosis. Our time of sharing and prayer was a real Grace moment, where the presence of God was evidenced by all.

The second was at lunchtime, when I took Dabak out to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary. We shared an intimate meal together to celebrate our shared love and the gift of God's grace upon our marriage and ministry.

Celebrate God's gift of love and grace in life! It's a sure prescription for contentedness.

Colossians 2:7 (NLT) ~ "Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."