Retirement

The longer I engage with seniors and retirees, the more evident it is that retirement is merely a reference the fact that one has reached the qualifying age to formally cease full-time paid employment. It is by no means an indication that one ceases to be useful or effective, as some may think. The Bible does not include any retirement plan or make mention of people ever being passed their "use by" date. Our God of wonders is able to bless and use the lives of all, no matter what age or stage of life we might find ourselves.

How blessed we are to have resourceful, dedicated and faithful officer/soldier retirees within the ranks of The Salvation Army who minister effectively to the glory of God and the betterment of God's Kingdom. Their heart devotion is Love in motion. Hallelujah!

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) ~ "...we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

Be Filled

Psalm 72:19 (NIV)~ "Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen."

Musical Salvationist

Under the leadership of Commissioner Wesley Harris, the Historical Society put on a tribute evening to acknowledge the past influence and future potential of Salvation Army music to reach out with soul-saving results. TSA composers Major Howard Davies, Noel Jones and Brian Hogg formed a guest panel to promote discussion on the subject. Mindful that early Salvationists wrote Christian lyrics to secular tunes of the day in order to present the gospel to others in a meaningful way, so too we were reminded that SA music groups today need to make sure that they are open enough to be inclusive in membership and relevant in their ministry.

I thoroughly enjoyed the phrase mentioned by Brian Hogg and left with it ringing in my ears and embedded on my mind ~ "BELONG TO BELIEVE or BELIEVE TO BELONG."
It was very clear that SA music groups today need to assess whether they value the concept 'BELONG TO BELIEVE' (open group) or 'BELIEVE TO BELONG' (closed group). Their answer will reveal the degree of effectiveness with regards both membership and spiritual success.

Now that's not only food for thought but, hopefully, active digestion.

Cluster Group

When I think of clusters, I picture bigger-than-bite-size chunks of chocolate bursting with nuts and raisins. Hmmm... so when I was informed by the Divisional Commander that I was to join a new cluster group, I was hesitant to say the least. It wasn't my ideal cluster! Nothing to do with the composition of the group by any means, but rather the fact that my previous experiences with clusters resulted in some less than favourable memories.

Praise God that He has the supreme ability to turn our sorrow into joy, our mourning into dancing and our anxieties into calmness. The very real miracle of faith that is beyond all comprehension is the knowledge that God supercedes all our human expectations with the reality of His Divine Presence.

Thanks to members of the Cluster Group, I'm now looking forward with expectation to our frequent gatherings and the opportunities to grow together in His grace. Bless you!

Hebrews 10:25 (NIV) ~ "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

One Size Fits All?

Generally speaking, I'm not a supporter of the "one size fits all" concept. Personal life and ministry experience over the years has been instrumental in teaching that when it comes to clothing, ideas, values, strategies, opinions and the like, "one size rarely fits all". Despite being a rather convenient label, "one size fits all" doesn't take into consideration the diversity that exists in many forms of life. It is simply not practical to try to apply a blanket approach in our dealings with others when we consider the diversity that exists. Doing so, may result in many feeling excluded rather than included.

On the other hand, I am convinced that God certainly knew what He was doing when He created us with our diverse uniqueness. And He certainly knew what He was doing when He sent Jesus to demonstrate His all-inclusive Love to the world. Spiritually speaking, the "one size fits all" concept of God's Love sits well with me. I have every confidence that God has the ability to meet everyone's needs in all circumstances of life on the condition that we exercise our free wills to choose faith in Christ, trust in His promises and continue to pursue His will.

2 Corinthians 5:14 (MSG) ~ "Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own."

Fresh Faith

Recently I was given a copy of Pastor Jim Cymbala's book, Fresh Faith. As I read the blurb and flicked through its pages in preview, I was impressed by its content and inspired to begin reading it in depth. The subtitle on the front cover caught my attention ~ "What happens when real faith ignites God's people." In responsive thought, I suggest that the possibilities are only limited by God Himself.

A daily fresh experience of faith in Christ is surely God's heart desire for everyone. Unguarded and irregular faith eventually becomes stale and lifeless. As such, it is vital that the Christian's faith experience is both deep rooted and well nourished everyday.

We would do well to sincerely pray General Albert Orsborn's words ~ "Give us faith, o Lord, we pray. Faith for greater things."
Now, I've got to read on...

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) ~ "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Give Thanks

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so..." (Psalm 107:1-2)
This was the biblical challenge presented to us by Majors Raymond and Aylene Finger as they capably led us in our worship service this morning at Inala Chapel.

God always comes to us in our need with His enduring mercy and grace. He longs that we always come before Him in worship with an attitude of gratitude. Thanksgiving is an attitude of life that recognizes that everything is a gift; and all good gifts come from God. It's also an attitude that has to be taught. Complaining comes naturally; we have to learn to be grateful.

"Give thanks with a grateful heart."
Yes Lord, give us grateful thoughts and thankful actions!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) ~ "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."