New Chief Secretary Appointed

Today saw the announcement that General Shaw Clifton has appointed Major Raymond Finger as Chief Secretary and Major Aylene Finger as Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministry, with promotions to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
Effective 1 December 2007, the Fingers succeed Lieut-Colonels John and Judith Jeffrey who will retire from active service.

To quote the words of Commissioner James Knaggs (TC) ~ "We congratulate Majors Raymond and Aylene Finger upon this appointment and promotion in rank and pray that God will bless them with His abundance now and for the days to follow."

Let it be made known: the finger of God is upon our territory. Hallelujah!

Acts 12:24 (MSG) ~ "Meanwhile, the ministry of God's Word grew by leaps and bounds."

Invitations

It's exciting to receive a personal invitation, especially when it's to attend a party or celebration. To know that you've been kindly thought of and specifically chosen is certainly a delight. What, then, of the invitations God offers us in Christ? Healing, wholeness, holiness, forgiveness and the hope of eternity. Jesus' personal invitation from the gospels, "Come to Me", is our reason to really celebrate life! For He is always true to His word; in fact, He is the Word.

Accept God's invitation in Christ and really celebrate. He'll make you glad you did!

Acts 2:38-39 (MSG) ~ "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites."

Teach Me

In May 1993, while four months into my officer training, I was inspired by God to write these words which became a personal prayer for me then.

In these days of fruitful learning
May I always ready be;
All my heart and mind attuning
To Your Spirit constantly.
Gracious Lord, please find me willing
All my time to You resign.
I will walk forever faithful
That Your life through mine would shine.

Lord, I pray that through my living
Strength and wisdom I would gain.
Always understanding people
In their joy and in their pain.
Help me love with tender heart, Lord,
Give me faith to follow on.
May I grow into Your likeness.
Build me up and make me strong!

And now, 14 years later, these words continue to be my heartfelt prayer. God-inspired ideas are never outdated and useless ~ hallelujah!

Deeper And Wider

With the 24/7 Prayer Intiative well under way, God will be sure to pour out His deep and wide blessings upon our territory as we, in the words of Commissioner James Knaggss, "commit ourselves to deepen our faith and widen our spiritual influence through intentional prayer". It's truly exciting what God will do!

Retired General John Gowans expressed it well when he wrote:

It's as high as the sky and it's as deep as the sea

And it's as wide as the world, God's love for you and for me.

We can't escape His love or take ourselves out of his care.

Where can we hide from His love? His love is everywhere.

Allow the boundless love of God to flow deeper and wider through your life today.

Job 7:8-9 (MSG) ~ "God is far higher than you can imagine, far deeper than you can comprehend, stretching farther than earth's horizons, far wider than the endless ocean."

Amazing Grace

The newly-released movie "Amazing Grace" was inspirational viewing. Did the movie meet my expectations? No, it exceeded them! Its promotion of Christian values, faith in action and social justice were commendable.

Favourite quote ~ "I'm a great sinner, but God's a great Saviour!" (John Newton to Wilbur Wilberforce)
Personal lesson ~ An integral part of Christian faith is following through on our convictions.
Surprise moment ~ When the cinema audience spontaneously applaused at the conclusion of the movie.

Movie Tip: Don't forget your tissues, they'll come in handy!

Philippians 4:23 (MSG) ~ "Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves."

Temple On Prayer

Former Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple, when challenged that "answered prayer was mere coincidence" made a God-inspired comment to his mocking critics.

"When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don't pray, they don't."

What a truthful comment! What non-Christians call "mere coincidences" we know to be "God incidences", for there is no coincidence as far as God is concerned. His actions towards us are always intentional, designed and deliberate.

Isaiah 25:1 (MSG) ~ "O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."

Praise Looks Good On You

Psalm 33:1 (NASB) ~ "Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright."

In 1997, while appointed to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, one of our ministry highlights was the opportunity to organize the first Christian Exhibition and Rally and meet international worship leader, singer, songwriter and producer of Christian worship music, Don Moen. Following the rally on the final night, we shared with Don Moen and his worship team in a fellowship meal. It was an inspiring weekend of genuine praise moments.

A special memory was when Don Moen quoted Psalm 33:1, pointed out an Indian lady in her 80s who was worshipping toward the front and said "Praise looks good on you." This, of course, was a fitting introduction to his chorus of God's response to our praise moments.

When you lift Your hands up high

And you sing a song of praise to Me

It brings Me great delight

Such a lovely sight

And yes it is true

Praise looks good on You

Morning night and noon

Your praise ascends to heaven

Like the smell sweet perfume

Filling every room

And yes it is true

Praise looks good on You

You bring your sacrifices

And you offer up your praise

You lift your voice with singing

But your heart seems far away

More than a sacrifice

I am looking for your life

Holy and acceptable

And pleasing in my sight

So offer up your lives

Holy and acceptable

A willing sacrifice

Precious in my sight

But in all that you do

Remember all I want is You

So lift your hands up high

And worship Him before the altar

Consecrate your life

A willing sacrifice

But in all that you do

Remember all He wants is You

And yes it is true

Praise looks good on you