The opportunity to 'reconnect' with friends is always a valued one, especially when we share a common faith and hope. To offer support and show appreciation to others is a privilege of friendship, as is experiencing the support and appreciation from others along our journey.
While connecting with friends is great, connecting with Christ is far greater. Joseph C Ludgate wrote these words about the ultimate friendship.
A friend when other friendships cease,
A friend when others fail,
A friend who gives me joy and peace,
A friend who will prevail.
Friendship with Jesus, fellowship divine,
O what blessed sweet communion,
Jesus is a friend of mine!
Friday, 23 November 2007
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Officer Connections
Today's spiritual meetings marked the commencement of CONNECTIONS 07 ~ and what a blessing it was! Throughout the morning and afternoon sessions of Officers Councils there was a real sense of the presence of God moving in the lives of His people. Commissioner Knaggs invited us all to "relax in God's presence and soak in His blessing and grace, as though we were in the lounge room." I came away from connecting with God convinced we were in His 'Love' room.
Tonight we were invited guests of Lieuts Martyn and Heather Scrimshaw and had the opportunity to connect with the cadets and lieutenants of the Heralds of the Good News session for their Recognition and Valedictory service. Being there to personally witness them receiving their ministry certificates in preparation for their ordination was "soul-inspiring".
What greater blessing does God have in store? Ask Him for something, and then come along and find out for yourself.
Matthew 6:14a (MSG) ~ "In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do."
Tonight we were invited guests of Lieuts Martyn and Heather Scrimshaw and had the opportunity to connect with the cadets and lieutenants of the Heralds of the Good News session for their Recognition and Valedictory service. Being there to personally witness them receiving their ministry certificates in preparation for their ordination was "soul-inspiring".
What greater blessing does God have in store? Ask Him for something, and then come along and find out for yourself.
Matthew 6:14a (MSG) ~ "In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do."
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Heralds Of The Good News
The Training Principal, Major Frank Daniels, shares his strong conviction of ministry non-negotiables with the Heralds of the Good News cadets.
Isaiah 61:1 (NIV) ~ "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."
- Christ must be the focus
- Prayer must be central to life and ministry
- Christian character must be the foundation
Lieutenants Phil and Catherine Abram
Cadets Darren and Megan Aitken
Lieutenants Rachel and Rowan Castle
Cadets Grace Choi and Joseph Park
Lieutenants David and Kylie Collinson
Cadet Jason Dannock
Lieutenants Jason and Michelle Davies-Kildea
Cadet David Davis
Cadet Chris Footer
Lieutenants Anne and Lance Jeffrey
Cadets Erica and Peter Jones
Cadet June Knop
Cadet Pete McMaster
Lieutenant Grant Palmer
Lieutenants Heather and Martyn Scrimshaw
Lieutenants Ken and Leanne Smith
Cadets Johnmark and Nicole Snead
Lieutenant Helen Zhou
Isaiah 61:1 (NIV) ~ "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."
"Our Corps" ~ A Tribute To Inala Chapel's 40th Anniversary
Written by Major Joy Coleman
The Corps at Inala is thriving and true
With good congregation and many folks new
For thiry-nine years and soon to add more
A good Anniversary will then be two score!
TIM AND DABAK are our leaders who care
They spread wide the words of the Gospel to share
A church is made up of the people within
There’s HUGHIE AND JAN, who assist Captains Lynn
Some MARGARETS, one CEDRIC and more than one JOY
With Johns, Jim and Shirleys, their skills to employ
Our choir superb by ANITA is led
She wields a mean baton, or so it is said!
LYNNE, EDITH and MAVIS, who has a fine touch,
JEAN, NORMAN and KAY, who we all love so much.
So many fine members who all do their part
And give of their best with kind, caring heart
LAURIE’S the man, for the Bible he knows
To share of its study each Tuesday he goes
ERN, GEORGE, and one LEON, so skilled at his trade
We’ve seen at our sales fine goods he has made
HORRIE stands tall and his welcome is true
WIN hastens around to welcome folk too
Our GRACE, PHYLLIS, RUBY, PEARL, HEATHER and NELL
In years past whose busy hands laboured so well
A smile from NOREEN sure brightens our day
So many good people, what further to say?
Whether Captain or Colonel, true Soldiers or Friend
EACH ONE is included, on that please depend.
The families, the singles, they all play their part
With JOY in GOD’S SERVICE and cheerful heart!
We remember with love, the ones laid aside
And some who once shared, now in Heaven abide
But the fellowship grows as we worship and pray
For the CORPS AT INALA is thriving today!
The Corps at Inala is thriving and true
With good congregation and many folks new
For thiry-nine years and soon to add more
A good Anniversary will then be two score!
TIM AND DABAK are our leaders who care
They spread wide the words of the Gospel to share
A church is made up of the people within
There’s HUGHIE AND JAN, who assist Captains Lynn
Some MARGARETS, one CEDRIC and more than one JOY
With Johns, Jim and Shirleys, their skills to employ
Our choir superb by ANITA is led
She wields a mean baton, or so it is said!
LYNNE, EDITH and MAVIS, who has a fine touch,
JEAN, NORMAN and KAY, who we all love so much.
So many fine members who all do their part
And give of their best with kind, caring heart
LAURIE’S the man, for the Bible he knows
To share of its study each Tuesday he goes
ERN, GEORGE, and one LEON, so skilled at his trade
We’ve seen at our sales fine goods he has made
HORRIE stands tall and his welcome is true
WIN hastens around to welcome folk too
Our GRACE, PHYLLIS, RUBY, PEARL, HEATHER and NELL
In years past whose busy hands laboured so well
A smile from NOREEN sure brightens our day
So many good people, what further to say?
Whether Captain or Colonel, true Soldiers or Friend
EACH ONE is included, on that please depend.
The families, the singles, they all play their part
With JOY in GOD’S SERVICE and cheerful heart!
We remember with love, the ones laid aside
And some who once shared, now in Heaven abide
But the fellowship grows as we worship and pray
For the CORPS AT INALA is thriving today!
Monday, 19 November 2007
United Front
This morning Dabak and I, together with our President of the Rotary Club of Box Hill, met with members of the Victoria Police, Neighborhood Watch and the City of Whitehorse as Assistant Commissioner Bob Hastings launched the Handbag Theft Prevention programme at Forest Hill Chase.
While the event was a success and will hopefully achieve its aim of decreasing the occurrences of handbag theft incidences, I believe the most valuable part of the launch was the united front that was evident to the community. Many passers-by commented on the positive spirit of cooperation between local community groups. As a Rotarian, The Salvation Army was involved by default, but noticed nevertheless!
This Saturday, as a part of our CONNECTIONS 07 event, The Salvation Army has a unique opportunity to present a "united front" together with members of the local community to make a public stand on issues of social justice. It is our prayer that the Community Social Justice Parade will do more than merely raise media attention, but have a rippling effect in causing others to make proactive changes for the better of all people, everywhere.
Deuteronomy 16:20 (NIV) ~ "Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you."
While the event was a success and will hopefully achieve its aim of decreasing the occurrences of handbag theft incidences, I believe the most valuable part of the launch was the united front that was evident to the community. Many passers-by commented on the positive spirit of cooperation between local community groups. As a Rotarian, The Salvation Army was involved by default, but noticed nevertheless!
This Saturday, as a part of our CONNECTIONS 07 event, The Salvation Army has a unique opportunity to present a "united front" together with members of the local community to make a public stand on issues of social justice. It is our prayer that the Community Social Justice Parade will do more than merely raise media attention, but have a rippling effect in causing others to make proactive changes for the better of all people, everywhere.
Deuteronomy 16:20 (NIV) ~ "Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you."
Sunday, 18 November 2007
40th Anniversary Celebrations
"To God Be The Glory" was not only the anniversary theme for Inala Chapel's celebration weekend but, more importantly, the heart attitude and worship response of all who attended. Under the leadership of General Eva Burrows, some 240 people enjoyed the Saturday evening variety concert presented by the musically-talented Classic Brass ensemble and the superb vocal efforts of the Inala Chapel Choir. A special feature was the confident presentation of Ray Steadman-Allen's extended vocal work, "A Childhood Suite" featuring our accomplished pianist, Mavis Sanders.
On Sunday morning, a capacity crowd of worshippers gathered in a genuine spirit of thanksgiving to praise God for Inala Chapel's rich spiritual heritage and be inspired with hope and courage for a further fruitful future of "love in action" ~ Heart to God; Hand to Man.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) ~ "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
On Sunday morning, a capacity crowd of worshippers gathered in a genuine spirit of thanksgiving to praise God for Inala Chapel's rich spiritual heritage and be inspired with hope and courage for a further fruitful future of "love in action" ~ Heart to God; Hand to Man.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) ~ "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Army Advances Into New Countries
INTERNATIONAL Headquarters announces that The Salvation Army has recently 'opened fire' in new countries in Africa and Europe. Work has begun quietly in Burundi and Greece with the appointing of officers to these countries for the first time ~ by decision of the General in consultation with senior leaders at International Headquarters, in the respective zones and in the neighbouring commands. The work in Burundi, which began officially in Bujumbura under the leadership of Aux-Captains Lusomobo Museses Justin and Fatuma Kalema Justine on 5 August 2007, is attached to the Rwanda Command. The work in Greece, which began officially in Thessalonika under Captains Polis Pantelidis and Maria Konti-Galinou on 1 October 2007, is attached to the nearby Italy Command.
Salvationists and friends are asked to pray for these new openings which are made in response to the 'great commission' to take the gospel to all nations. Also, please pray for the officers carrying out this pioneering work. The total number of countries in which The Salvation Army is officially present is now 113. Please pray also for divine guidance as several other countries in the five zones (Africa, Americas & Caribbean, Europe, South Asia and South Pacific & East Asia) are being evaluated for the commencement of Salvation Army witness and service.
Report by Lieut-Colonel Miriam Frederiksen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)