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."