Looking Fear In The Face

I'm feeling very apprehensive. I need to attend Parliament House tomorrow for a youth function...and I've come to the conclusion (thanks to my wife!) that it would be better to take the train in rather than drive. Truth is, I haven't used public transport for over 10 years and am loathing the very thought.

Comfort zones are just that ~ comfortable! When we face our fears head on, it can be quite an ordeal albeit a necessary one for personal growth. Most personal fears stem from one's preconceived thoughts about feeling uncomfortable. I'm aware of this, but it doesn't seem to make the decision any easier.

Well, life is a journey...and it's time that I looked my fear in the face and try the train ride, complete with an optimistic attitude. So here goes....

Genesis 26:19 (MSG) ~ "That very night God appeared to him and said, ... don't fear a thing because I'm with you."

POSTSCRIPT...
In my state of nervousness, I accidentally 'saved' this post last night instead of publishing it.
So I can report back here now that everything went well on the train today; no wrong trains or platforms, no delays. Overall, no need to fear public transport!

Parables

Today our Bible Discussion Group commenced a new series entitled "Hiding The Truth", based on parables in the Bible. It was a most interesting and informative hour spent in the Word together that fostered lots of helpful discussion points.

A parable:

• is a word-picture, which uses an image or story to illustrate a truth or lesson
• defines the unknown by using the known
• helps the listener to discover the deeper meaning and underlying truth of the reality being portrayed
• can be a figure of speech or comparison, such as "the kingdom of God...is like a mustard seed" (Luke 13:19)
• is a short story told to bring out a lesson or moral.
• is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning (spiritual truth).

But most insightful of all was the fact that parables are not exclusive to the New Testament gospels. Parables are recorded or referenced in the Old Testament (Judges 9, 2 Samuel 12, Psalm 78, Ezekiel, Proverbs and Hosea) and were a common means of communicating ideas long before the recorded use of parables by Jesus during his period of earthly ministry.

Yes, there is truth in the saying, "You learn something new everyday!"

Salvation Army Now In 115 Countries Worldwide

The Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Robin Dunster, has released the following news:

The Salvation Army has 'opened fire' in the African nations of Namibia and Mali, bringing to 115 the number of countries where it is officially at work.

The Army previously worked in Namibia from 1932 to 1939. Now, 69 years later, the re-establishment of a presence in the country has been warmly welcomed by both the Church and non-governmental organisations. The work is being led by Major Lenah Jwili, a South African national, who arrived on 3 January 2008 and is already networking in the community, witnessing steady growth in the attendance at meetings and contacting key personnel. These contacts have led to the official registration of The Salvation Army in the country. Namibia is part of the Southern Africa Territory, which also oversees Salvation Army work in Lesotho, St Helena, South Africa and Swaziland.

Following an invitation for The Salvation Army to establish a presence in the predominately Muslim nation of Mali, a local response was undertaken under the leadership of André Togo. Mali is the most northerly part of the African continent in which The Salvation Army has a presence.

Brother Togo, a Malian, had no knowledge of The Salvation Army until he had a vision of 'millions of people wearing white uniforms, saying: "People of the nations, repent for we are coming with the Kingdom of the Lord"'. He was certain God was calling him to join these white-uniformed people and his research led him to The Salvation Army. With help from Salvation Army leadership in Nigeria and at International Headquarters, he 'opened fire' in Mali. There has been steady growth in the attendance at meetings and official registration of The Salvation Army in Mali has now been granted to 'labour for the progress of Christianity, to struggle against poverty’.

The Army’s work in the country became official in January 2008 with the appointment of Majors Eugene and Odile Dikalembolovanga from the Democratic Republic of Congo as officers in charge, and Mali is attached to the Nigeria Territory. André and his wife Nana are currently preparing to move to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where they will train to be Salvation Army officers.

Prayers for these new initiatives are sought as the response to the challenges found in Namibia and Mali are identified and grasped, enabling an holistic response that reflects the Great Commission given by Jesus (Matthew 28:19, 20) in tangible ways.

Rollercoaster Ride

Well, what a rollercoaster day! I know one thing for sure...I'm glad it's almost over.

Although the personal circumstances and situations were somewhat out of our immediate control, they certainly caused us to take a rollercoaster ride of human emotions and reactions.

Yet undergirding everything was an overriding sense of peace and personal assurance that God, in his mysterious ways, was there to bring a sense of calm and confidence. Our frustrations and despairs were turned into patient endurance and hopeful joy.

The rollercoaster journey of life always turns out better with God in control than when we put self in the driver's seat!

How are you travelling?

Romans 8:26-28 (MSG) ~ "the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves...and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."

Listen

Eccleciastes 3 states that in life there is a 'time for everything'. Recently, I was caused to add an additional thought to Solomon's list ~ "There is a time to listen and a time to be listened to."
The following article makes the reason for this very clear.

When I ask you to listen to me and you start giving advice, you have not done what I asked.
When I ask you to listen to me and you begin to tell me why I should not feel that way, you have trapped my feelings.
When I ask you to listen to me and you feel you have to do something to solve my problem, you have failed me, strange as that may seem.

Listen. All I ask is that you listen. Not talk or do ~ just listen and hear me.

I can do for myself. I am not helpless. Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless.
When you do something for me that I can do for myself, you contribute to my fear and weakness.
But when you accept as a simple fact that I do feel what I feel, no matter how irrational, then I can quit trying to convince you and get about the business of understanding what's behind this irrational feeling. And, when that's clear, the answers are obvious and I don't need advice.
Irrational feelings make sense when we understand them.

So please listen and just hear me, and if you want to talk, wait a minute for your turn, and I'll listen to you.

Author unknown

Army Writers & Composers

'A little encouragement goes a long way' was certainly evidenced as Salvationist writers and composers met for an inaugural gathering held at Inala Village this evening. Organized by Major Win Barker (Rtd), it was an opportunity for invited speakers, Commissioner Wesley Harris (author), Major Howard Davies (composer) and Major Laurie Robertson (National Editor-in-chief, WarCry Editor and Literary Secretary), to share some helpful tips and information about authoring and publishing works from their respective areas of expertise.

It was a great opportunity to share with like-minded Christian people and learn more about where The Salvation Army Australia Southern Territory is heading with its current and future goals for publishing and promoting the writing and music composition talents of Salvationists and Christian friends.

I left the evening confident that we certainly have a bright future ahead of us!

"Living Hope" Suicide Bereavement

Dabak and I were privileged to take part in the Melbourne pilot of the Living Hope Suicide Bereavement training course. We found it to be extremely helpful in not only skilling us to work with those bereaved by suicide, but in challenging us to alter our unrealistic and judgmental 'pre-conceived' ideas about this most misunderstood area of personal loss.

The statistics of suicide are mind-blowing, the impact on those left behind is devastating and the opportunities for providing bereavement support are greatly needed. The Salvation Army's commitment to make a difference in this sensitive ministry area is both timely and beneficial.

Yes, I have a dream...that "Hope For Life" centres will be established in local communities throughout our divisions and regions, making it possible for survivors of suicide loss to access postvention support services and make hope connections in their lives.

1 Samuel 2:6 (MSG) ~ "[God] rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, restoring dignity and respect to their lives..."