The first of December marks a turning point in our household, for the Christmas tree is put up and the decorations are laid out in readiness to celebrate the season of love, joy, peace and hope. A few weeks ago we purchased a fibre-optic tree and are now enjoying sitting in the dark lounge room simply watching the lights shine in their splendour.
One of our annual pleasures during December is to take a night drive around different neighbourhoods to check out the various Christmas light displays and rate their effectiveness in representing the true Reason for the Season. In the process of our pilgrimage, I am often encouraged in the knowledge that the Light shone in the darkness on the first Christmas night and ever since the darkness has not been able to put it out. As believers, we need to be intentional in living our lives so that they reflect the glory of God's Love-Light in a world where people are desperately seeking a personal experience of joy, peace and hope.
Doesn't Jesus command us to do just that everyday? Let our lights shine...so that others may see the glory of God's Love for themselves and know His promised Life-light.
Be a 'shining light' in your world, for that's what lights do best ~ shine!
Isaiah 60:1 (NIV) ~ "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you."
Saturday, 1 December 2007
Keep Christ In Christmas
Now here's a challenge for us all! In a day and age where little focus is given to the true meaning of Christmas, we believers have a personal and spiritual responsibility to promote the real "Reason for the Season".
Dabak and I attended and participated in Ringwood Corp's Companion Club Christmas Breakup today, where Louise Teisberg's poem "When Jesus Called That Christmas Week" was shared in a closing devotional by Lieutenant Angela Locke as a challenge to keep Christ in Christmas.
Here are the words for your personal reflection.
Dabak and I attended and participated in Ringwood Corp's Companion Club Christmas Breakup today, where Louise Teisberg's poem "When Jesus Called That Christmas Week" was shared in a closing devotional by Lieutenant Angela Locke as a challenge to keep Christ in Christmas.
Here are the words for your personal reflection.
When Jesus called that Christmas week I wasn't at my best;
And the house was much too cluttered to entertain a guest.
He seemed to notice everything, the cards still unaddressed;
The gifts piled high awaiting wraps, the baking and the rest.
His eyes fell on the evergreen and the presents 'neath the tree,
It's my birthday that you celebrate ~ what are you giving me?
'What am I giving him?' I thought; ashamed, no words I found.
So many costly things I'd bought, he looked at me and frowned.
I prayed he'd let the question pass, but when he did persist,
I blurted out the truth at last, "You were not on my list."
Friday, 30 November 2007
Ablett Testifies To Transforming Faith
Ex-sports star, Gary Ablett, boldy shares his testimony in this article that appeared in today's Herald Sun and reminds us all that holiness is an ongoing process.
"It's only because of my relationship with Jesus, and God's unconditional love and acceptance of me in Christ, that I'm still here today - and I don't say that lightly. Sometimes it's through the most difficult and painful times that we learn the most valuable lessons. There is nothing like failure to force you to examine the foundations of your life.
"The Lord has taught me that the battle to feel good about myself can't be won by simply trying harder. I had to completely change the basis of my self-worth and security. I used to worry about what people thought, until one day Jesus spoke to me and said, 'Gary, most people don't even know who they are, let alone who you are, so why should you worry about what they think?'
"The Lord began to take me on a journey concerning the true basis of my self-worth and security, and I'm learning that the true basis of my self-worth is based on what God says is true of me in His Word. He created me. He alone knows my true worth and value. This is setting me free from the fear of failure and rejection that comes from basing your worth and security on performance and other's opinions.
"In (Matthew 7:24-27), Jesus said: 'Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
"But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.'
"I'm learning to build my life on the sure foundation of God's eternal truth, and not on the sands of worldly success and approval, fame, wealth, etc, which are so uncertain and destined to perish.
"Jesus said: 'What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and lose or forfeit his soul in hell? (Luke 9:25)
"I realise I have a long way to go, but at least I know I'm heading in the right direction. I've repented and thankfully God has forgiven me, but I think the hardest thing for us to do at times is to forgive ourselves. Thankfully with God, no matter how bad things may seem, he always has a future and a hope for us, and he can take the worst of circumstances and work them for good and his glory.
"I acknowledge my failure was extreme. However, I believe I responded with honesty and integrity. I still struggle with bouts of depression but I'm much better than I was. In terms of my own use of illicit drugs, I feel I'm pretty much on top of it now. There has been the odd relapse here and there, but thank God I'm getting to the place where I can finally put the past behind me and move forward.
"Changing your life is a process and it doesn't happen overnight. I'm learning the importance of making right choices and decisions. Our lives will be shaped by the choices we make and it can sometimes be the seemingly insignificant choices that can turn out to be life changing and even destiny altering."
"It's only because of my relationship with Jesus, and God's unconditional love and acceptance of me in Christ, that I'm still here today - and I don't say that lightly. Sometimes it's through the most difficult and painful times that we learn the most valuable lessons. There is nothing like failure to force you to examine the foundations of your life.
"The Lord has taught me that the battle to feel good about myself can't be won by simply trying harder. I had to completely change the basis of my self-worth and security. I used to worry about what people thought, until one day Jesus spoke to me and said, 'Gary, most people don't even know who they are, let alone who you are, so why should you worry about what they think?'
"The Lord began to take me on a journey concerning the true basis of my self-worth and security, and I'm learning that the true basis of my self-worth is based on what God says is true of me in His Word. He created me. He alone knows my true worth and value. This is setting me free from the fear of failure and rejection that comes from basing your worth and security on performance and other's opinions.
"In (Matthew 7:24-27), Jesus said: 'Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
"But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.'
"I'm learning to build my life on the sure foundation of God's eternal truth, and not on the sands of worldly success and approval, fame, wealth, etc, which are so uncertain and destined to perish.
"Jesus said: 'What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and lose or forfeit his soul in hell? (Luke 9:25)
"I realise I have a long way to go, but at least I know I'm heading in the right direction. I've repented and thankfully God has forgiven me, but I think the hardest thing for us to do at times is to forgive ourselves. Thankfully with God, no matter how bad things may seem, he always has a future and a hope for us, and he can take the worst of circumstances and work them for good and his glory.
"I acknowledge my failure was extreme. However, I believe I responded with honesty and integrity. I still struggle with bouts of depression but I'm much better than I was. In terms of my own use of illicit drugs, I feel I'm pretty much on top of it now. There has been the odd relapse here and there, but thank God I'm getting to the place where I can finally put the past behind me and move forward.
"Changing your life is a process and it doesn't happen overnight. I'm learning the importance of making right choices and decisions. Our lives will be shaped by the choices we make and it can sometimes be the seemingly insignificant choices that can turn out to be life changing and even destiny altering."
Monday, 26 November 2007
Reinstatement Of Lieutenant Rank
On Thursday morning, Commissioner James Knaggs announced the following decision relating to lieutenancy received from the office of the General on 14 November 2007.Following a long period of consideration and much discussion, the General has decided that, effective 1 March 2008, the rank of lieutenant will be reinstated into the officer rank structure of The Salvation Army, as the first commissioned officer rank. Thus, on and from that date, all cadets - including those who are currently in training - will be commissioned with the rank of lieutenant.
The use of an officer rank to describe the position of a non-officer worker in The Salvation Army has long been felt by many to be confusing. Reintroducing the rank of lieutenant as a commissioned officer rank will eliminate that confusion. It will also bring other benefits in terms of clearly identifying those officers who are newly commissioned or within their initial years of service, and will also assist in enabling a clearly defined target date to be set for the completion of post-commissioning studies.
The rank of lieutenant will be held for five years from the date of commissioning, thus facilitating once again the linking of a satisfactory five-year review with the possibility of promotion to the rank of captain. The insignia for an officer holding the rank of lieutenant will be as it was prior to the elimination of the rank from the rank structure - i.e. silver 'S' on a red patch on each lapel, and one star on a red background on each epaulet.
Chief of Staff's Minutes will be issued in due course, which will establish the changes to various Orders & Regulations that reflect this decision.
Commissioner Knaggs also stated that each territory/command is to come up with a suitable title for its non-commissioned personnel, offering his assurance that our territorial leadership would ensure the lieutenants' best interests would be at the heart of any decision.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG) ~ "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track."
New Captains Appointed
The following appointments were announced yesterday afternoon, effective January 2008.
CAPTS PHIL & CATHERINE ABRAM ~ Corps Officers (CO), Torquay Corps Plant, VIC
CAPTS DARREN & MEGAN AITKEN ~ CO, Kings Meadows Corps, TAS
CAPT RACHEL CASTLE ~ Chaplain, Prison Ministry, SA
CAPT ROWAN CASTLE ~ Divisonal Youth Secretary, SA
CAPTS GRACE CHOI & JOSEPH PARK ~ CO, Box Hill Korean Corps
CAPT DAVID COLLINSON ~ Territorial Youth Secretary, THQ
CAPT KYLIE COLLINSON ~ Assistant CO, Box Hill Corps, VIC
CAPT JASON DANNOCK ~ CO, Kingborough Corps, TAS (with Captain Sharon Dannock)
CAPTS MICHELLE & JASON DAVIES-KILDEA ~ CO, Brunswick Corps, VIC
CAPT DAVID DAVIS ~ Corps Officer, Sunbury Corps, VIC (with Captain Belinda Davis)
CAPTS CHRISTOPHER FOOTER ~ Assistant CO, Waverley Temple Corps, VIC
CAPTS ANNE & LANCE JEFFREY ~ CO, Rockingham Corps, WA
CAPTS ERICA & PETER JONES ~ Associate CO, Brunswick Corps, VIC
CAPT JUNE KNOP ~ CO, Box Hill Corps, VIC
CAPT PETER MCMASTER ~ CO, Beechworth Corps, VIC (following marriage to Captain Ainsley Fry)
CAPT GRANT PALMER ~ CO, Murray Bridge Corps, SA (with Captain Mel Palmer)
CAPTS HEATHER & MARTYN SCRIMSHAW ~ CO, Leongatha Corps, VIC
CAPTS KEN & LEANNE SMITH ~ Managers, Harry Hunter Rehabiliation Centre, WA
CAPTS JOHNMARK & NICOLE SNEAD ~ CO, Ararat Corps, VIC
CAPT HELEN ZHOU ~ CO, Richmond Corps, VIC
CAPTS PHIL & CATHERINE ABRAM ~ Corps Officers (CO), Torquay Corps Plant, VIC
CAPTS DARREN & MEGAN AITKEN ~ CO, Kings Meadows Corps, TAS
CAPT RACHEL CASTLE ~ Chaplain, Prison Ministry, SA
CAPT ROWAN CASTLE ~ Divisonal Youth Secretary, SA
CAPTS GRACE CHOI & JOSEPH PARK ~ CO, Box Hill Korean Corps
CAPT DAVID COLLINSON ~ Territorial Youth Secretary, THQ
CAPT KYLIE COLLINSON ~ Assistant CO, Box Hill Corps, VIC
CAPT JASON DANNOCK ~ CO, Kingborough Corps, TAS (with Captain Sharon Dannock)
CAPTS MICHELLE & JASON DAVIES-KILDEA ~ CO, Brunswick Corps, VIC
CAPT DAVID DAVIS ~ Corps Officer, Sunbury Corps, VIC (with Captain Belinda Davis)
CAPTS CHRISTOPHER FOOTER ~ Assistant CO, Waverley Temple Corps, VIC
CAPTS ANNE & LANCE JEFFREY ~ CO, Rockingham Corps, WA
CAPTS ERICA & PETER JONES ~ Associate CO, Brunswick Corps, VIC
CAPT JUNE KNOP ~ CO, Box Hill Corps, VIC
CAPT PETER MCMASTER ~ CO, Beechworth Corps, VIC (following marriage to Captain Ainsley Fry)
CAPT GRANT PALMER ~ CO, Murray Bridge Corps, SA (with Captain Mel Palmer)
CAPTS HEATHER & MARTYN SCRIMSHAW ~ CO, Leongatha Corps, VIC
CAPTS KEN & LEANNE SMITH ~ Managers, Harry Hunter Rehabiliation Centre, WA
CAPTS JOHNMARK & NICOLE SNEAD ~ CO, Ararat Corps, VIC
CAPT HELEN ZHOU ~ CO, Richmond Corps, VIC
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Move, Holy Spirit
More than 3,000 Salvationists and friends shared in spiritual connections at the Melbourne Convention Centre today for the Ordination and Commissioning of TSA's 29 new captains.
In a morning spirit of sacred contemplation, we witnessed the new officers being ordained as ministers of the gospel and commissioned to a lifetime of ministry and service. The afternoon meeting was one of praise and celebration as their new ministry roles were announced and we were each challenged and 'sent out' to carry the message of the gospel to the whosoever.
The whole day was evidence of God's Holy Spirit at work in the lives of Salvationists, urging us to live in His awesome and providential love.
Yes, "move, Holy Spirit, move in my life; make me like Christ"...
In a morning spirit of sacred contemplation, we witnessed the new officers being ordained as ministers of the gospel and commissioned to a lifetime of ministry and service. The afternoon meeting was one of praise and celebration as their new ministry roles were announced and we were each challenged and 'sent out' to carry the message of the gospel to the whosoever.
The whole day was evidence of God's Holy Spirit at work in the lives of Salvationists, urging us to live in His awesome and providential love.
Yes, "move, Holy Spirit, move in my life; make me like Christ"...
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Social Justice C07
The Salvation Army's Social Justice Parade today could be summed up with Micah's words ~ "act justly... love mercy ...walk humbly with your God." A huge crowd gather at Federation Square to promote awareness of and foster action to cease contemporary social justice issues, such as human trafficking and sex slavery. The heat was on, in more ways than one!
The parade was also a great 'visual' opportunity for Salvos to not only voice their social justice concerns to the local community, but to actively promote our allegiance to Christ and witness to God's love at work in the wider world and our individual lives.
Micah 6:8 (MSG) ~ "It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love,And don't take yourself too seriously ~ take God seriously."
The parade was also a great 'visual' opportunity for Salvos to not only voice their social justice concerns to the local community, but to actively promote our allegiance to Christ and witness to God's love at work in the wider world and our individual lives.
Micah 6:8 (MSG) ~ "It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love,And don't take yourself too seriously ~ take God seriously."
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