Poverty in Canada

Proverbs 31:8-9: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Canada has the greatest provision for the needy in the Americas and is among the best in the entire world - however, we still have a long way to go...

Persons in low income after tax, by prevalence in percent (StatsCan):

40.9% of Canadians in female lone-parent families are considered low-income
29.4% of all single Canadians (28.4% M, 30.5% F) are considered low-income
If you remove seniors from the equation, the number of low-income single males shoots up to 30.7% and the percent of low-income females reaches 37.5%

11.5% of all Canadians are considered low-income

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Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM, table (for fee) 202-0802 and Catalogue no. 75-202-X.
Last modified: 2005-08-12.

To learn more about low income cut-offs, consult On poverty and low income.

Find information related to this table (CANSIM table(s); Definitions, data sources and methods; The Daily; publications; and related Canadian Statistics tables).


(The opinions expressed in this blog are at most - but not always necessarily - the opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com  

The Golden Rule

Leviticus 19:18 -  "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD."

Matthew 7:12 - "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

Luke 6:31 -"Do to others as you would have them do to you."

Romans 13:9 - The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet,"[a] and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbour as yourself."[b]

See also: Exodus 20:1-21; Deuteronomy 5


---
Michael Ramsay
Herald of the Good News
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net

Unforgivable comments...

I have been considering the number of verses that have been pointed out to
me that may relate to the unforgivable sin and something occurred to
me...one of the problems that I have been having with this topic is the 'P'
that runs through the Calvinist-Armenian divide...Many of the verses brought
to my attention relate to the 'perseverance of saints'.

While I have never claimed to be a 5, 3, 2 or any point Calvinist, I must
admit that the concepts of 'Irresistible Grace' and 'Perseverance of the
Saints' are near and dear to my personal relationship with God. Personally,
I cannot understand why I would ever resist grace and, really, the thought
of 'not persevering', abandoning God, is so foreign to me that I will never
really understand how people could ever do it- though I know those who claim
they have. It is a mix between my love for God and the concern around those
people that has led to all of my questions.

My main questions are still these (cf. Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Unforgivable sin?)

1) Can one really know God and turn one's back on Him? b) How can one know
him without loving Him?

2) Does anyone know anyone personally whose testimony is that they actually
renounced God (not just the church and not just disobeying Him) and then
returned to serving Him and being used voluntarily to build the Kingdom?

There are a lot of links to scripture, reference to our other blogs on this
topic available in the footnotes of our Wednesday, December 28, 2005 blog -
' More on the Unforgivable Sin?'

(The opinions expressed in this blog are at most - but not always
necessarily - the opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com

re: fully sacramental

This comment was received in response to our blogs on baptism:

Trinitarian flag nothing! The argument that there is baptism by immersion,
sprinkling and even without water is wrong. Baptism means 'with water'.
Baptism does not mean 'by the Spirit' unless it says 'by the Spirit'. We are
commanded to baptise (We can not baptise 'with the Spirit' only the Spirit
can do that!)

We are commanded to go into the world and to baptise. Anything less is
disobedience to the Bible. Once you start disobeying the Bible, or picking
and choosing what commands to follow and what ones to disobey, you are on a
slippery slope.

(The person who submitted this regrets the use of inflammatory language and
has asked me subsequently not to include their name. I thought that it added
something to our debate anyway and I encourage you to read past the 'tone'
and into the 'heart' of the comments. As well, please view our previous
blogs on this subject: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - We are a fully
covenanted, fully sacramental people... AND Monday, July 11, 2005 - Baptism.

If you would like to submit a comment for me to post here, just let me
know - Michael

---

Child Poverty

The Nova Scotia Child Poverty Report Card 2005

http://www.policyalternatives.ca/documents/Nova_Scotia_Pubs/2005/Child_Poverty_Report_Card_2005.pdf or http://www.policyalternatives.ca/Reports/2005/11/ChildPoverty/index.cfm?pa=BB736455

Between 1989 and 2003, child poverty rates decreased in five provinces while increasing in the other five. However, the net result for Canada was an overall increase of 16.6 percent from 15.1 percent (1989) to 17.6 percent (2003).

Manitoba was the worst offender in 1989. Now we are in the top half of the provinces for eliminating child poverty. British Columbia was 3rd best in 1989. Now they are the worst offenders in the country when it comes to child poverty.

---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com  

Churchill Quote

Winston Churchill is quoted as saying, "Where there's a need, there's The
Salvation Army". Is it as true in the 2000's as it was in the 1940's? I
believe so. Let's keep it that way - and more!

- MR, Herald of the Good News

More on the Unforgivable Sin?

2 John 1:7-11 -Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.

If this is an extension of / an example of / or the unforgivable sin itself...what then should we really do (academic theory aside) if friends and / or family commit it? - not a rhetorical question necessarily

---

cf: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 blog: 3 Questions (1 John 5:13-20);  Wednesday, December 21, 2005blog: Unforgivable Sin?(2 Peter 2:17-22); AND Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:29-30; Luke 12:10; AND Matthew 10:14; Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5; Acts 13:50-52

(The opinions expressed in this blog are at most - but not always necessarily - the opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com  

Salvo Stats

The Salvation Army in India http://www1.salvationarmy.org/ind/www_ind.nsf

The Salvation Army first established its presence in India in 1882 and its membership now totals 352,346. Currently there are 1,410 Salvation Army churches, 1,314 outposts, 218 social institutions (which include hostels, children's homes and hospitals) and 73 schools.

Soldiers as Percent of Population: 0.033%  - Soldiers as Percent of Christian Population: 1.42%

The Salvation Army in Indonesia http://www.salvationarmy.or.id/

The Salvation Army commenced its work in Indonesia in 1894 with a network of educational, medical and social services. These programs continue as its 42, 581 members operate 196 churches, 128 outposts, 94 schools, 6 hospitals, 18 clinics and 21social institutions.

Soldiers as Percent of Population: 0.018% - Soldiers as Percent of Christian Population: 0.21%

The Salvation Army in Canada http://www.salvationarmy.ca

The Salvation Army began its work in Canada in 1882. The Salvation Army has 1,250 active officers, almost 23,000 members. There are 350 + corps (churches) and over 150 social service institutions.

Soldiers as Percent of Population: 0.07% - Soldiers as Percent of Christian Population: 0.1%

We'vew still got some work to do...


(The opinions expressed in this blog are at most - but not always necessarily - the opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com  

3 Questions (not including supplementary Q's) on 1 John 5:13-20 and more

3 Questions

1 John 5:13-20: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the
Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the
confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to
his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we
know that we have what we asked of him.

If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he
should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not
lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he
should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does
not lead to death.

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was
born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. We know that
we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the
evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us
understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is
true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

---
James 5:19-20: My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and
someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from
the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of
sins.

QUESTIONS: 1) What is the sin that leads to Death? a) Is it what is what 2
Peter calls the unforgivable sin? b) Is it blaspheme against the Holy
Spirit? c) Are they the same?

2) Why would we not pray for someone - or better worded, how would we know
if they had committed that sin that leads to death and so not pray for them?
Bear in mind what James says about those that leave the faith. Cf. Wed.,
Dec. 21 Blog on "Unforgivable Sin?"

3) Anyone born of God does not continue to sin. a) Are you born of God? b)
Do you sin? Why (not)?

(The opinions expressed in this blog are at most - but not always
necessarily - the opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com

From the Pope's Christmas Address

From Pope Benedict  XVI's 2005 Christmas Address: "Today we can dispose of vast material resources. But the men and women in our technological age risk becoming victims of their own intellectual and technical achievements, ending up in spiritual barrenness and emptiness of heart," he said.

"That is why it is so important for us to open our minds and hearts to the birth of Christ, this event of salvation which can give new hope to the life of each human being."

http://www.vatican.va/liturgical_year/christmas/index_2005_en.htm

(The opinions expressed in this blog are at most - but not always necessarily - the opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com  

Holy Christmas Everyone!

1 John 1:1-7

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. 

 

 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

 

If we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus purifies us from all Sin: are you holy? Do you want to be? You can be. Merry Christmas!

(The opinions expressed in this blog are at most - but not always necessarily - the opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com  

Merry Christmas

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For
God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world
through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)

Merry Christmas!
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com

2005 Armed Conflict Report by Ploughshares

Children and Armed Conflict 2003   Almost three-quarters of the states at war in 2003 had populations with a high proportion of children (children under 15 made up more than one third of the population). The vast majority of armed conflicts involve the use of child combatants under 18 years of age. In over half of the states at war in 2003 there were reports of combatants under 15.   http://www.ploughshares.ca/libraries/ACRText/ACR-TitlePageRev.htm

Armed Conflicts Report 2005 Project Ploughshares has reported annually on armed conflicts since 1987. Project Ploughshares' Armed Conflicts Report thoroughly details the state of war around the world. Going beyond the wars on the evening news, the report describes lesser-known conflicts, as well as the issues that surround conflict. The Armed Conflicts Report consists of two components. The first component is available only on this website and includes: detailed descriptions of all current armed conflicts, updated annually; descriptions of recently ended armed conflicts; and maps depicting causes and consequences of armed conflict. The second component is a 22" by 34" colour poster which is printed annually. Information about ordering the 2005 poster is provided in the poster section below. Maps and Charts    Armed Conflicts in 2004 (With hotlinks to conflict descriptions) Human Development and Armed Conflict 1995-2004 (Map) Human Development and Armed Conflict 1995-2004 (Charts) Children and Armed Conflict 2003 Peacekeeping/Observer/Enforcement Missions 2003 Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones 2003 World Military Spending 2003 (Chart) Armed Conflict Ends 1988-2002 World Hunger and Armed Conflict 1992-2001

Ploughshares

I don't know if everyone is familiar with Ploughshares or not. It really believes in peace on earth through breaking the war cycle.

Project Ploughshares is an ecumenical agency of the Canadian Council of Churches established in 1976 to implement the churches' call to be peacemakers and to work for a world in which justice will flourish and peace abound. The mandate given to Project Ploughshares is to work with churches and related organizations, as well as governments and non-governmental organizations, in Canada and abroad, to identify, develop, and advance approaches that build peace and prevent war, and promote the peaceful resolution of political conflict.

"and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more." (Isaiah 2:4)

http://www.ploughshares.ca/

Ministry resources in Winnipeg

Ministry resources in Winnipeg

 

http://www.havelock-viha.com/field.htm 

---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com  

Unforgivable sin?

I think this is what the Roman Catholics refer to as blaspheme against the
Holy Spirit:

2 Peter 2:17-22: These men are springs without water and mists driven by a
storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty,
boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human
nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in
error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of
depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have
escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the
end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not
to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to
turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them
the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is
washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."

I have some questions...

1) Can one really know God and turn one's back on Him? How can one know him
without loving Him?
2) Does anyone know anyone personally whose testimony is that they actually
renounced God (not just the church and not just disobeying Him) and then
returned to serving Him and being used voluntarily to build the Kingdom?
3) As man is a slave to whatever masters him, who is your master? On what
basis do you make your decisions? Money? Time? Preference? Self?
Prayer?....God?

(The opinions expressed in this e-mail are at most - but not always
necessarily - the opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com

A new 12 step.

There is a new 12 Step programme out, sponsored by Amnesty International.

Amnesty International's 12-Step Programme
for the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by Agents of the State
http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/ENGACT400012005

1. Condemn torture and other ill-treatment
2. Ensure access to prisoners
3. No secret detention
4. Provide safeguards during detention and interrogation 

5. Prohibit torture and other ill-treatment in law
6. Investigate
7. Prosecute
8. No use of statements extracted under torture or other ill-treatment
9. Provide effective training
10. Provide reparation
11. Ratify international treaties
12. Exercise international responsibility

"Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (other ill-treatment) are violations of human rights, condemned by the international community as an offence to human dignity and prohibited in all circumstances under international law. Yet they happen daily and across the globe. Immediate steps are needed to confront these abuses wherever they occur and to eradicate them. Amnesty International calls on all governments to implement [this] 12-point programme and invites concerned individuals and organizations to ensure that they do so. Amnesty International believes that the implementation of these measures is a positive indication of a government's commitment to end torture and other ill-treatment and to work for their eradication worldwide." - Amnesty International

 

It is a shame that there is still one first world country that uses torture routinely and refuses to ratify any international treaties banning torture. Please pray that the USA and others will stop torturing people - now.

 

Take action!

"Write to President Bush urging him to support the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the detention and interrogation policies and practices in the "war on terror" and the appointment of a special counsel to prosecute any officials involved in torture and ill-treatment." - Amnesty International

http://web.amnesty.org/pages/usa-260605-action-eng

(The opinions expressed here are at most - but not always necessarily - the opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com

Be a Hero Stuff

The number of people in the world who suffer from malnutrition as a result
of hunger: > 1.2 billion

The number of people in the world who suffer from malnutrition as a result
of over consumption: > 1.2 billion

---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com

The Traditional Family - Disney style

101 Dalmatians and Peter Pan (Wendy) are the only two Disney cartoon
features with both parents that are present and don't die throughout the
movie.

(The opinions expressed here are at most - but not always necessarily - the
opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com

Blessed are the Peacemakers

"Blessed are the peacemakers [Matthew 5:9]. Ask Canadians what the proudest
moment of 2003 was, and the most frequent answer is that we refused to
participate in the invasion of Iraq" - Dr. Jack Layton

---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net/blog.htm
ramsay@havelock-viha.com

gay marriage and this election

I am not in favour of so called 'Gay Marriage'. My question is this: is it
an important issue for a secular government? There is much sexual sin
committed by people engaging in heterosexual sex and no non-RC Christian
Church that I know of, has had anything to say about most of it.

Shouldn't we Christians take the sexual sin plank (gay marriage in the
church, divorce and remarriage in the church, pornography, adultery, etc)
out of our own eye before we attempt to pluck it out of a secular-atheist's.

(The opinions expressed here are at most - but not always necessarily - the
opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com

Freedom

Please continue to pray for the people of Iraq. They need our support more than ever as the instability in their country continues to grow.

Michael

(The opinions expressed in this blog are at most - but not always
necessarily - the opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com

Governance Styles

It appears that I inadvertently offended some elder readers of my blog, who
remember all too well the propaganda of the cold war, when I blogged on
Community being the opposite of a market economy. It was assumed that I was
supporting the Soviet-style government of the cold war. This is not the case
for a number of reasons. The Soviet-style governance is quite similar in
origin and intent to rule by trade unions. One of the problems with
union-style governance is the same as a primary criticism of capitalism: you
cannot serve two masters, you will grow to love one and hate the other. You
can see this play out in almost any union meeting in this country (Canada).
Another problem that I have with the soviet-style governance is that it was
not a stellar example of good stewardship of resources: it cost the USSR a
fortune to support its dependencies and they never were able to develop the
internal resources to do that effectively.

I would like to point out though that there are a number of different styles
of governance in the world that are not western style capitalist
democracies. In fact neither the fastest growing economies nor the most
egalitarian models of governance are based on the western style capitalist
democracies. As many of the younger generation (from which some of the most
vocal advocates of the post-democratic, post-capitalist society are found)
will tell us there are a multitude of options.

The primary obligation for the Christian, in whichever system of governance
God has placed her, is to obey the authorities, contribute fully and lobby
for change along Biblical lines - in order to do this we need to read, pray,
and discuss to be able to fully understand what exactly are those Biblical
lines.

(The opinions expressed in this blog are at most - but not always
necessarily - the opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
---
Michael Ramsay
www.renewnetwork.net
ramsay@havelock-viha.com

Jesus and Covenant

I find it interesting, that relating to the covenant that was imposed at
Sinai, the LORD states that He is “going to send an angel in front of you,
to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared
(Ex. 23:20).” Israel is not to rebel against him because “he will not pardon
your transgression; for my name is in him (Ex. 23:21).” P. Kaiser suggests
that “this must be the Angel of the Covenant (cf. Isa. 63:9; Mal. 3:1), the
Second Person of the Trinity” because “this Angel with the authority and
prestige of the name of God was evidence enough that God himself was present
in his Son.” I don’t necessarily ascribe to the idea of pre-incarnate
appearances of the Christ yet but it does add a new dimension, if indeed
Kaiser is correct, to have Jesus physically represented in both covenants.

---
Michael Ramsay
ramsay@havelock-viha.com

Community vs. Market Economy Pt. 2

Christians should all aim for authentic community. The opposite of community
is a market economy. This is one of the central themes of Amos and indeed
plays through the old as well as the new testament.

We are all well aware that a capitalist country cannot be a Christian
country because capitalism serves money, Christianity serves God, and, as
Christ taught us, it is not possible to serve money and God at the same
time. This, of course, would have been a contributing factor to why the
early Christians had everything in common.

The new part for me was the revelation that this was also an intentional
theme of much of the old testament. The question that then should be
emphasized more than ever, as Christians in a capitalist country, what
should we do? How can a Christian move away from a market economy and
towards authentic Christian Community OR, phrased another way, how can we be
in the world without being of the world.

Community

"The opposite of community is a market economy" - Dr. D. Burke.

more later...

We are a fully covenanted, fully sacramental people...

My two cents in the great debate:

An important idea for me around the "are we a non- or fully-sacramental
people?" debate is obedience to the Word. We are not opposed to the great
commission, in fact we embrace it. We are not non-sacramental; we are fully
sacramental. We enrol people under the Trinitarian flag (representing
enrolment in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost); this is not LIKE
baptism. This IS baptism. The essential elements are there - identification
with the body of Christ and in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

You understand my position - particularly relating to baptism - re:
fully-sacramental instead of non-sacramental. I am not suggesting any
changes at all regarding our practices around baptism. I just think that we
do it - and we do it better than anyone else! I think that we do it better
than anyone else because we accompany it with a covenant. Anything less is
like having a wedding without a marriage.

What good is a ceremony that isn't backed up by a covenant?

Would not there be a benefit (for us as well as the greater Christian body)
to celebrating us as possibly the only fully-covenanted, fully-sacramental
people?

Michael Ramsay
Herald of the Good News
ramsay@havelock-viha.com
www.renewnetwork.net

Covenant

Covenants can be made voluntarily or involuntarily, with or without
obligation, and between equals, or superiors and inferiors; berith's origin
is uncertain but it is probably derived from biritu, which means "to
fetter".

So, who cares? Well, the Salvationist, I suppose, or more importantly the
person contemplating a 'covenant' relationship with God. When you sign your
covenant, you are fettered, shackled, and bound. This chain cannot easily be
broken. If it is, there are repercussions. So for potential Salvationists,
they should ask, "Is this the star to which God has asked me to hitch my
wagon?" and for the Salvationist who tends to take the terms of the covenant
lightly, remember that it is difficult to move when the one you are yoked
together with one who is going in the other direction...BUT when you are
following in a proper covenant, His yoke is easy! And really what could you
accomplish on your own that wouldn't be accomplished much more easily and
effectively if you were shackled to the LORD!

-Michael

---
View the whole article in the Journal of Aggressive Christianity's December
2005 - January 2006 Issue (http://www.armybarmy.com/JAC/)

We're up and going at CFOT...

We're up and going here and it's great! The blessings are abundant. I even
learned something about music...in our sessional song, Major Julie Slous
(who wrote the words and music) incorporated things like fast beats (and
different things with the notes that I would be able to explain if I knew
anything about music) to fit with the words she wrote and show how eager we
are to be 'Heralds of the Good News.' Yah, I can't explain it well because I
am very MSL (Music as a subsequent language) but I am really enjoying all
the learning opportunities.

It has been excellent meeting all of our session mates. This is great. God
bless this, the Salvation Army!

Daily Rations

To our subscribers, I apologise.

I have completed Daily Rations with a Smile for September and most of October. I, however, have been unable to hook up my own computer (which has all of the work on it) to the internet. I will have it up ASAP. I apologise for the inconvenience.

As far as the scripture readings are concerned you are still able to see the verses for each day on our website (http://www.renewnetwork.net/journal.htm).

Sincerely,

Michael Ramsay

Gambler

This summer I have had some time to do some reading. For Salvationists, I would certainly recommend The Gambler (written circa 1860, I believe) by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It offers a good look into the realm of addiction and is not nearly depressing (or long, for that matter)as some of his other works.

Re:dedicated

It looks like Starbucks is AOK according to our respondents. I'm sure they are glad to hear that...well maybe Swiss Chalet even more apparently - as far as benefiting from SA disposable income. :-)

Dedicated to God

Just a thought...

If The Salvation Army is our primary source of income then we are receiving money dedicated to God. Should we spend God's money at Starbuck's? (You may insert 'Baskin Robbins' or 'Cineplex Odeon' for 'Starbuck's', if you like.)

Responses (ramsay@havelock-viha.com) greatly appreciated.

Michael.

Bad Lands

We visited the passion play set in the 'bad lands' around Drumheller. The
set and the scenery were quite realistic. I am curious though, why is
Israel's 'promised land' so similar to Alberta's 'bad lands'?

Opportunity?

We were in the Heritage Village in Calgary the day before yesterday. It was
great. There is an old church there - THAT NOBODY IS USING!

We saw a play there (outside and on-going) about a temperance movement lady
interacting with her (sometimes mostly) reformed man and his old friend, a
professional gambler and con. It was amusing.

So I was thinking... there must be thousands (okay hundreds or at least
dozens) of these forts or heritage villages across Canada. Maybe we
could have 'booming missions'. Maybe we could have soldiers in primitive
Salvo attire come on holiday to these villages, hold historic open-airs
every day, boom the pubs, engage in some street combat... and add to
everyone's holidays and get some people 'saved' at the same time?

Just one of a million thoughts...

Pre-incarnate?

I was reading Hosea 12. To me, on this time reading through, it seems to
discount the theory that Jacob wrestled with a pre-incarnate appearance of
Jesus. A question has been raised for me through my meditation on this:

1) if there were pre-incarnate appearances of the Christ in full bodily
form, why did he need to bed born of woman?

2) Was God (Christ) overcome by 'the deceiver' (AKA Jacob)?

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net

Billboard in Edmonton

"Increased exposure to the Son decreases chances of burning" - Billboard of
an Edmonton SA Corps

Post-modern world struggles with ancient sins...

Romans 7:1-3 (NIV)

1 Do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to men who know the
law—that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? 2 For
example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is
alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. 3
So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is
called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law
and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man.

Romans 6:17-18

17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you
wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.
18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Hosea 4:6-9

6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
"Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also reject you as my priests;
because you have ignored the law of your God,
I also will ignore your children.

7 The more the priests increased,
the more they sinned against me;
they exchanged their Glory for something disgraceful.

8 They feed on the sins of my people
and relish their wickedness.

9 And it will be: Like people, like priests.
I will punish both of them for their ways
and repay them for their deeds.

How many ministers, priests, officers reject knowledge and ignore the law of
God pertaining to marriage and by doing so cause the people to be slaves to
sin rather than righteousness? What will happen to the modern adulterers?
What will happen to the priests who encourage that sin through adulterous
marriages? Will the consequences of Hosea 9 apply to many of us in the
western church today?

---
Michael Ramsay
http://www.renewnetwork.net/sheepspeak.htm

From General John Larsson

Story from General John Larsson

While leader of The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom I took part in a
radio phone-in during which the interview tried his hardest to persuade
members of the public to offer criticism of the Army as well as praise. But
without exception, caller after caller, spoke appreciatively, in the warmest
possible terms, of our work.

In desperation, the interviewer made one last appeal for a more critical
response. But when the final caller came on, it was a woman who said: ‘I
just want to tell you that my son was a drug addict and if it wasn’t for The
Salvation Army he still would be.’

The interviewer said, ‘I give up!’

The confidence of the people is a precious trust. We mustn’t let them down.

Tolstoy 3

Nowadays, after so many centuries of fruitless efforts to make our life
secure by the pagan organization of life, it must be evident to everyone
that all efforts in that direction only introduce fresh dangers into
personal and social life, and do not render it more secure in any way.

---
From 'Repent ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is near' by Leo Tolstoy

Tolstoy 2

Are you doing what he demands of you who has sent you into the world, and to
whom you will soon return? Are you doing what be wills? Are you doing his
will, when as landowner or manufacturer you rob the poor of the fruits of
their toil, basing your life on this plunder of - the workers, or when, as
judge or governor, you ill treat men, sentence them to execution, or when as
soldiers you prepare for war, kill and plunder?

---
From 'Repent ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is near' by Leo Tolstoy

Long Tolstoy

Whatever names we dignify ourselves with, whatever uniforms we wear,
whatever priests we anoint ourselves before, however many millions we
possess, however many guards are stationed along our road, however many
policemen guard our wealth, however many so-called criminals,
revolutionists, and anarchists we punish, whatever exploits we have
performed, whatever states we may have founded, fortresses and towers we may
have erected - from Babel to the Eiffel Tower - there are two inevitable
conditions of life, confronting all of us, which destroy its whole meaning;
(1) death, which may at any moment pounce upon each of us; and (2) the
transitoriness of all our works, which so soon pass away and leave no trace.
Whatever we may do - found companies, build palaces and monuments, write
songs and poems - it is all not for long time. Soon it passes away, leaving
no trace. And therefore, however we may conceal it from ourselves, we cannot
help seeing that the significance of our life cannot lie in our personal
fleshly existence, the prey of incurable suffering and inevitable death, nor
in any social institution or organization. Whoever you may be who are
reading these lines, think of your position and of your duties - not of your
position as landowner, merchant, judge, emperor, president, minister,
priest, soldier, which has been temporarily allotted you by men, and not of
the imaginary duties laid on you by those positions, but of your real
positions in eternity as a creature who at the will of someone has been
called out of unconsciousness after an eternity of non-existence to which
you may return at any moment at his will. Think of your duties - not your
supposed duties as a landowner to your estate, as a merchant to your
business, as emperor, minister, or official to the state, but of your real
duties, the duties that follow from your real position as a being called
into life and endowed with reason and love.
---
From 'Repent ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is near' by Leo Tolstoy n

Aggressive Christianity 2005

"The biggest evil we have going on today comes from Christians! They sin and confess and sin and confess and feel guilty about the whole thing, and then invite us to join them in their pitiful experience. I said it when I was young and I say it even louder now, if it sends me to Hell I will never water down the standards of God. I wish you felt like I do. We have am amazing standard put before us. the power has been extended to you, the conditions have been laid out for us, and all of us CAN grab hold of it. If you don't want to raise your life to the standard of this righteousness, fine, but for the sake of the children, and for the children not yet even born, don't drag it down and try to make God's standards meet your little, insignificant, confined experience. (Catherine Booth, with Cory Harrison Aggressive Christianity 2005 update)"

---
www.renewnetwork.net

Baptism

This isn't a blog about whether or not churches, denominations, orders, or movements SHOULD or SHOULD NOT baptise. It is just a question:

Denominational issues aside, why is it MOST of us Christians (whether we call ourselves Baptists, Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Pentecostals, Salvationists, or whatever) have never baptised anyone if it is part of great commission from Jesus that is recorded in Matthew 28?

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."(New International Version)

Shouldn't the debate not be whether or not a particular Christian organisation baptises but rather whether an individual Christian baptises?

Just another question (NOT A POSITIONAL STATEMENT) from one who has a lot of questions...

Batman Begins...

We saw Batman begins. To quote Susan (with permission) "something about the movie troubled my 'Spidey senses'"

Re: Home schooling?

Re: Home schooling / private schooling?

"What if, instead of trying to save our families and our homes, and in the
process losing them (statistically, divorce, incest, youth delinquency seem
to be more or less the same regardless of whether a family is Christian or
not, thereby validating Christ's words in Matthew 10:39), we would be
willing to lose them for the sake of mission, for the cause of Christ."

"What if our children and our houses turned out to be God's secret weapon
for impacting our communities and reaching the lost?" - (Captain G.Ryan,
2004)

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net

Is it okay to bow down before idols?

2 Kings 5:15 Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of
God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, "I know at last that there is
no God in all the world except in Israel. Now please accept my gifts."

16 But Elisha replied, "As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I
will not accept any gifts." And though Naaman urged him to take the gifts,
Elisha refused.

17 Then Naaman said, "All right, but please allow me to load two of my
mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From
now on I will never again offer any burnt offerings or sacrifices to any
other god except the LORD. 18 However, may the LORD pardon me in this one
thing. When my master the king goes into the temple of the god Rimmon to
worship there and leans on my arm, may the LORD pardon me when I bow, too."

19 "Go in peace," Elisha said. So Naaman started home again.
-

Naaman asked for permission to bow before a false God and was granted
permission. Why? How does this contrast to Daniel's three friends (S, R and
A) in the 'fiery furnace'? How does this contrast to the golden calf
incident? Can / will we be granted permission to bow down to idols?

Susan said that God may grant special privileges but there would be a
greater reward if you follow / stand up for him.

Any thoughts? ramsay@havelock-viha.com

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net

Jude

Jude 17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our
Lord Jesus Christ told you, 18 that in the last times there would be
scoffers whose purpose in life is to enjoy themselves in every evil way
imaginable. 19 Now they are here, and they are the ones who are creating
divisions among you. They live by natural instinct because they do not have
God's Spirit living in them.

20 But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the
foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by
the Holy Spirit.[f] 21 Live in such a way that God's love can bless you as
you wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is
going to give you. 22 Show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue
others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. There are still others
to whom you need to show mercy, but be careful that you aren't contaminated
by their sins.[g]

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
www.havelock-viha.com

Timeline of Canadian History

http://www.canadahistory.com/timelines/timeline.htm

---
Michael

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day!

BNA / Constitutional Act, 1876 http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/const/

---
Michael

Thank you everyone (2)

It has been an honour and a privillege to serve God in the downtown eastside
with 614. Thank you.

Michael

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

Thank you Everyone

Sarah-Grace seems to be doing all right. Yesterday she had a serious of
(temperature related?) seizures; as far as I am aware, she hasn't had any
since. Praise God. Thank you for your prayers.

Michael

Sandra Ryan quote

"That's why we have a lot of the problems we do in this world, the people
with choices choose not to help the people who have no choices." - Captain
Sandra Ryan

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

Bramwell Quote

Bramwell Booth:

Come in, my Lord, come in,
Show forth thy saving power;
Restore, renew, release from sin,
O save this very hour!
Thy promise now I claim,
By faith put in my plea,
And trust in that almighty name,

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

Comments

If anyone does have any comments, I encourage you to click the comments link
on the left panel. I would be happy to address them.

Sincerely,

Michael

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

re: www.armybarmy.com/blog.html of Saturday, June 25, 2005

Re: China and internet(June 25, 2005).

What I am amazed at is that China has SUCCESSFULLY been able to block not
only what was mentioned ( www.armybarmy.com/blog.html Saturday, June 25,
2005)but also pornography and gambling sites when the highest internet use
in the world is as close as South Korea. My question is why do the North
American governments refuse to regulate the internet and stomp out internet
child pornography and other illegalities when it is well within their
ability to do so?

Michael

www.renewnetwork.net

See yah later...

See yah later.

We had a BBQ with our Friday cell group this past Friday. We had a good send off at the 3rd anniversary of 614 Vancouver. We hope to be at Cariboo one last time, tonight, before we go. Tomorrow we say our good-byes to the 614 leaders. I handed in my soccer uniform today. This week I say my farewells to all of my students. Most of our stuff is in boxes. Susan plans to finish packing tomorrow. It seems strange.

Southmount today was kind, very kind. They thanked us from the front, presented us with a gift and allowed Susan to sing her testimony this A.M. Many people promised their prayers for us. Thank you. A couple even took us out for a great lunch. thank you.

We will miss Vancouver...

God bless everyone.

Talk of God in Devil's Lake

The Devils Lake diversion is an abomination that goes against God's wishes,
according to [Reverend] NDPMP Bill Blaikie who made a public appeal to U.S.
President George Bush earlier this week to stop the controversial outlet
from opening.

"If one treats creation without respect, and if one does not exercise the
kind of stewardship that humankind was charged with in Genesis for looking
after the earth, then that person is as subject to criticism from a biblical
point of view as anyone else," Blaikie told the House of Commons Tuesday.

[full story at 24hrs.ca]
http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/2005/06/24/1102013-sun.html

http://renewnetwork.net/sheepspeak

Re: Blog Question

Why do some 'Christian' bloggers list their Astrological Sign and/or Zodiac
Year in their blogger profiles?

you cant change it! that's why! I suppose we could mail the suggestion to
blogger? - DH

Hi- I looked at that once and it has 'your profile' and asks you questions.
One question is your birth date. So you put in your birth date and the
programme makes it your sign. I don't know if that birth date is mandatory
or not. grace, sec

www.renwnetwork.net/readings

More lying men of GOD (Prophets)

This is most likely a warning of some sort. This is the fifth time since
(including) my previous blog on this topic that I have received this
message...

1 Kings 22: 9-28. (
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2022:9-28;&version=51;
)
Highlight 13-18 and the 19-28 as two separate incidents to ponder...one more
serious than the other???
---
9So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, "Quick! Go and
get Micaiah son of Imlah."

10King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, dressed in their
royal robes, were sitting on thrones at the threshing floor near the gate of
Samaria. All of Ahab's prophets were prophesying there in front of them.
11One of them, Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, made some iron horns and
proclaimed, "This is what the LORD says: With these horns you will gore the
Arameans to death!"
12All the other prophets agreed. "Yes," they said, "go up to
Ramoth-gilead and be victorious, for the LORD will give you victory!"

13Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, "Look,
all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree
with them and promise success."

14But Micaiah replied, "As surely as the LORD lives, I will say only
what the LORD tells me to say."

15When Micaiah arrived before the king, Ahab asked him, "Micaiah, should
we go to war against Ramoth-gilead or not?"

And Micaiah replied, "Go right ahead! The LORD will give the king a
glorious victory!"

16But the king replied sharply, "How many times must I demand that you
speak only the truth when you speak for the LORD?"

17So Micaiah told him, "In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the
mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, `Their master
has been killed. Send them home in peace.' "

18"Didn't I tell you?" the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat. "He does
it every time. He never prophesies anything but bad news for me."

19Then Micaiah continued, "Listen to what the LORD says! I saw the LORD
sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven around him, on his right
and on his left. 20And the LORD said, `Who can entice Ahab to go into battle
against Ramoth-gilead so that he can be killed there?' There were many
suggestions, 21until finally a spirit approached the LORD and said, `I can
do it!'

22" `How will you do this?' the LORD asked.

"And the spirit replied, `I will go out and inspire all Ahab's prophets
to speak lies.'

" `You will succeed,' said the LORD. `Go ahead and do it.'

23"So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of your
prophets. For the LORD has determined disaster for you."

24Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah walked up to Micaiah and slapped him
across the face. "When did the Spirit of the LORD leave me to speak to you?"
he demanded.

25And Micaiah replied, "You will find out soon enough when you find
yourself hiding in some secret room!"

26King Ahab of Israel then ordered, "Arrest Micaiah and take him back to
Amon, the governor of the city, and to my son Joash. 27Give them this order
from the king: `Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and
water until I return safely from the battle!' "

28But Micaiah replied, "If you return safely, the LORD has not spoken
through me!" Then he added to those standing around, "Take note of what I
have said."

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

Question for Blog

Why do some 'Christian' bloggers list their Astrological Sign and/or Zodiac
Year in their blogger profiles?

Michael
www.renewnetwork.net

Does God tell people to bear false witness?

Does God tell people to bear false witness?

7Now Elisha went to Damascus, the capital of Aram, where King Ben-hadad
lay sick. Someone told the king that the man of God had come. 8When the king
heard the news, he said to Hazael, "Take a gift to the man of God. Then tell
him to ask the LORD if I will get well again."
9So Hazael loaded down forty camels with the finest products of Damascus
as a gift for Elisha. He went in to him and said, "Your servant Ben-hadad,
the king of Aram, has sent me to ask you if he will recover."

10And Elisha replied, "Go and tell him, `You will recover.' But the LORD
has shown me that he will actually die!" 11Elisha stared at Hazael[a] with a
fixed gaze until Hazael became uneasy. Then the man of God started weeping.

12"What's the matter, my lord?" Hazael asked him.

Elisha replied, "I know the terrible things you will do to the people of
Israel. You will burn their fortified cities, kill their young men, dash
their children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women!"

13Then Hazael replied, "How could a nobody like me[b] ever accomplish
such a great feat?"

But Elisha answered, "The LORD has shown me that you are going to be the
king of Aram."

14When Hazael went back, the king asked him, "What did Elisha tell you?"

And Hazael replied, "He told me that you will surely recover."

15But the next day Hazael took a blanket, soaked it in water, and held
it over the king's face until he died. Then Hazael became the next king of
Aram.

Does God tell people to bare false witness?

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

Shall we retreat...never!

DRAFT...off the top of my head

This is only a draft. Upon a second read it sounded quite pointed. This is not my intent. I realize that there are many good reasons and programmes for both homeschooling and Christian private schooling. As I state in my postscript, as well, we have neither ruled out private schooling or homeschooling for our own children.

I have been doing some reading and have attended some lectures recently that have touched upon two of my favourite areas: God and education.

One question is continually raised: should we keep our children from the secular school system; or, phrased differently, should we surrender battle field of public education to the Devil.

According to some, there are two reasons not to send our children to public education: fear and laziness.

Re: fear. We want to protect our children from the evil influence of the world. This rationale kept up from movies, cards, and music. Did not Booth (and Spurgeon) ask rhetorically, "why should the devil have all the good music?"

I would like to submit that we have as much to fear from many home schooling and affordable Christian private schools. I have read curricula from many schools and homeschooling companies (and am guilty of writing a bit of both as well) and can tell you that there is at least as much false teaching offered from Christian private education as there is from the public school system. Some of it is worse. In some Christian education systems scriptures are seemingly twisted, ignored, or seemingly intentionally misinterpreted in order to prove some trivial pet theological point.

As far as the fear of social influences are concerned. You are able to access studies across North America that shows that social ills are no less prevalent outside the churches than inside. Even if you were able to shelter your child from the world until (s)he is 18. Someday (s)he will be 18. If I expand on this more, I will offer up two testimonies from people raised in such environments, who suffered greatly through the sins influenced by addiction and credit that to their sheltered upbringing.

As far as laziness is concerned, raising our children is our responsibility.

We train our children everyday in the scriptures. We pray and we involve our
children in our relationship with the LORD and they, at four and three) have
their own relationships with the LORD. Everyone needs to take that time.

Should we surrender the school system to the Devil - never! In Canada groups
representing small minor (only in the number of practitioners) world views
have a great deal of power. Why? Because they sit on the PAC and are members
of the PTA and run for the school boards, provincial, and federal seats.
Isn't it our social responsibility to meet that challenge.

An Army either advances or retreats. This is one of the most important
battle fields If we don't fight, we won't win.

mr

Postscript - That being said...We have not decided what we are going to do with our own children when they are old enough to attend school. There is an argument to be made for developing quality education programmes as well AND INTRODUCING THEM TO THE WORLD.

More sheep and goats

Below, you can read the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:21-46, June 16th blog). The questions are:

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry
and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see
you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When
did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one
of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

But to the others...

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one
of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to
eternal life."

Then HAVE YOU recently taken time to

• feed someone,
• offer them a drink,
• a place to stay,
• clothes,
• or a visit in prison

If not what does await you? Really? 

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

614 Birthday Bash Photos

614 Birthday Pict's

http://www.renewnetwork.net/614bday

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

The Sheep and the Goats:

The Sheep and the Goats:

Notice that the actions of the sheep and the goats are how we are to relate
to others. We, in BC, have just finished one election and, in Canada, look
like we are heading into another. This parable is very important
particularly in a democracy...If you vote for an MLA or MP supports tax cuts
over social programmes, are you in danger of being a goat?

On a personal level, are you a sheep or a goat?

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him,
he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be
gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a
shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his
right and the goats on his left.

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are
blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you
since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me
something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a
stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was
sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry
and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see
you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When
did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one
of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are
cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I
was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me
nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed
clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not
look after me.'

44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help
you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one
of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to
eternal life."

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

Fathers' Day

One of my many memories of my father was when as a child I was watching some telethon with my dad and they asked for money for some good cause. My father immediately offered me $5 for all the work I had done around the yard with him that summer telling me that I could spend it on ANYTHING I WANT. I knew what he wanted me to do with the money. (He may have even had the phone in hand to pledge the cash while he was speaking with me.) For a moment, I was tempted to say "Okay, thanks Dad" and leave with my $5. In the end I didn't. I pledged it as he had intended.

Isn't this like our Heavenly Father? Doesn't he give us all our resources to spend on ANYTHING WE WANT. We just have to decide whether to spend it as he wants us to or not.

I was greatly blessed by this...

Michael
www.renewnetwork.net/readings

Life

A friend of ours just dedicated his life to the LORD. He is locked up
awaiting trial. We went to see him today at the courthouse. His lawyer
didn't show but a nice Sally Anner who works at the courts helped us quite a
bit.

I need to write more stuff but oh well...

---

Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

William Booth Quote

"I am of the opinion that the dangers which confront the coming century will
be religion without the Holy Ghost; Christianity without Christ; forgiveness
without repentance; salvation without regeneration; politics without God;
and heaven without hell."

- William Booth

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

Spiritual authority?

The LORD used a prophet of His to give a powerful message to King Jeroboam;
In 1K 13:2-3, he relays that the LORD will punish the king for the high
places that the king had set up. When Jeroboam stretches out his hand to
command the prophet's capture, his hand is shrivelled up and he can not
withdraw it. He asks the prophet to intercede with the LORD that his hand
may be restored. The prophet intercedes, the hand is restored by God. The
king then invites the prophet to have dinner with him and in order to
present him with a gift. Declining the prophet declares in verses 8 and 9
that "even if you were to give me half of your possessions, I would not go
with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here. For I was commanded by
the word of the LORD: 'You must not eat bread or drink water or return by
the way you came.'" So he took a different route.

Now it gets interesting...

A) An old prophet seeks out the prophet who is travelling home. He invites
him for dinner. The young prophet declines. The old prophet then lies to
him, saying the LORD asked him to invite the young prophet to his home to
eat and drink with him. The young man accepts.

B) While they are dining together the LORD speaks to the young though the
old telling him that because he has defied God (by eating and drinking at
the old prophet's home) his body "will not be buried in his father's tomb"
(vs. 22).

C) The young prophet is killed and by a lion of God on the way home. The old
prophet gets him and buries him in his tom

Why did the old prophet lie?
Why did the LORD use the old profit to prophecy in his lie?
Why was there no punishment recorded here for the elder prophet?

Are we ever tempted to only follow God's instruction to a point and then
assume that others with spiritual authority (both were prophets) have words
from God that override direct orders that we have received?

What are our consequences?

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

Memory Verses.

Susan has been teaching Rebecca, SGV and I memory verses. Praise the LORD!

Romans 6:23 (NIV) - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23

John 6:47 (NIV) - "I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting
life" - John 6:47

Genesis 1:1 (NIV) - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the
earth" - Genesis 1:1

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

sand off sandals...

So when should you shake the sand off sandals?

---
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

2 Timothy 2:3,4

2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NLT)

"3Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4And as
Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this
life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army."

This is important for me to remember...It is so easy and tempting to worry
about business, or politics, or name your distraction...

A Canadian Revolutionary

Some friends of mine, whom I have been honoured and blessed to serve God alongside in the Downtown eastside are in the process of writing a book on REVOLUTION. Among other things, It looks at people the LORD has used in revolutionary ways to further HIS Kingdom. Being who I am, I have lobbied for some CAN CON in the Revolution...

Kairos. I mean (C)airos?: After previously approaching the nomadic Montagnais and Algonquians, the missionaries noticed the Huron villages on the Georgian Bay. Being settled, there was an opportunity to disciple the faithful once they had committed their lives to the LORD. It was also a gateway to the vast untouched mission fields of the west. Further, they had already been exposed to Christianity through the Recollets when our hero, Father Brebeuf, with Fathers Daniel and Davost, in 1634, "took up again the challenge of the Cross and re-established the Huron mission near the shores of the Georgian Bay."*1

Charisma: The personality and perseverance of Father Brebeuf conquered the smell, dirt and blinding smoke that typified the homes in these villages. These inconveniences were nothing, however, if souls could be won! The main challenge to be faced was the mind of the Huron whose notion of a spirit was entirely different from that of the Christian God. As the LORD raised Brebeuf to this challenge, he was greeted by a powerful adversary: the medicine-man

Conviction: The salvation of Souls, and the Great commission*2 was the motivating factor for the perseverance of this Jesuit Priest: "Don't paddle unless you intend to always paddle"*3 was his motto.

There were people out there who did not know Jesus and he would sacrifice everything to win the continent for Christ starting with Heronia! The adversary knew the role of medicine-man was a key part of Heron society and there was no place for that office in Christendom. This was a challenge that only the LORD and a strong conviction would overcome. Storms, disease and all kinds of mishaps plagued the community and they were attributed to the people holding the office of medicine-man. The unselfishness, devotion, and perseverance of the Jesuit Priest in the face of such adversity began to make an impression on the people's hearts and minds

By 1648, eleven mission posts had been set up among the Heron AND their neighbours! No less than 18 priests and four lay ministers were involved in this ministry.

Then the Iroquois attacked: "When the assault began, the two Jesuits raced among the men, shouting encouragement, urging them to pray, tending the wounded, baptizing the dying. The Iroquois prevailed. Brebeuf, Lalemant and sixty Huron warriors were captured, beaten and herded to St. Ignace. Brebeuf called on the Huron warriors to stay true to Christ to death. Stripped naked, the Jesuits were tied to stakes and tortured with fire. Brebeuf suffered from noon until four p.m. on this day, March 16, 1649. When he would not scream out, but continued to pray for the salvation of his tormentors, the Iroquois heated cauldrons of boiling water and poured it over him in mockery of baptism. They cut and hacked his body, and gouged out his eyes. Before he died, they scalped him and cut out his heart, which they ate. Lalemant died of similar tortures early the next morning."*4

Cadre: The Huron nation was now a memory. Only a remnant survived and they sought refuge on the island of St. Joseph where they were pursued by famine and pestilence. The mission, however, was not a failure: the three hundred survivors then made their way to Quebec City and later the village of Lorette. They rest were scattered (with there Christian message) throughout the nations

Father Joges, who was captured and cruelly tortured deep in Mohawk territory after the 1642 attack, escaped to France only to return four years later to try to save his former captors; he earned a martyr's crown. Eventually, however, many Iroquois souls were saved and today saints and churches are no longer foreign to the Iroquois people.

---
*1 MacArthur, Duncan. History of Canada for High Schools. WJ Gage and Company. Toronto,1927.
*2 (Matthew 28:18-20) 18, NIV -Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
*3 Ferguson, Will. Canadian History for Dummies. CDG Books Canada. Toronto,2000.
*4 http://iroquoisindians.freeweb-hosting.com/index.htm (captured May 25,2005)
-
Michael Ramsay
The Salvation Army's Renew Network
www.renewnetwork.net
604 254 6144

New Orleans

Our struggle here is like the Battle of New Orleans.

The War is over. The foe has been defeated. The battle, however, still
rages.

Even though the enemy has been defeated, there can still be a lot of
casualties from ill-advised self-initiated battles.

Unforgiveness

I have always known that forgiveness can be difficult AND that it is
important: unless we forgive others, how will our heavenly Father forgive
us. I have had some difficulty coming to terms with and forgiving others
from my past and was greatly relieved when I finally did.

I have learned recently that people can really be trapped in unforgiveness
in the same way they are captured in drugs, pornography, sloth, etc. People
realize that unforgiveness is hurting oneself in order to punish someone
else (who may not even notice) but they do it anyway.

Some are even tempted to hold onto slights without even mentioning them to
the offender. From a Christian perspective, of course, we must approach each
other whenever there is a perceived problem for 1) it may be a faulty
perception / misunderstanding; 2)the other person may need to repent (change
something) or be given the opportunity to seek forgiveness AND, who knows?,
they may not know what they have done; 3) we might be wrong and in need of
repentance (change) and reconciliation (forgiveness); and 4) no one can be
happy caring a grudge: the burden is too much for that.

Unforgiveness, though, is as addictive as any drug and the more we take of
it, the more we are buried by it. Let's face it our unforgiven enemies
probably won't care if we ruin our own happiness through those grudges and,
in reality, the chances are that most people don't even realize either that
or, at least why, we are upset. Hey maybe a twelve-step would help...

Unforgiveness is addictive and destructive. Remember that to be forgiven, we
must be able to forgive...

We're back

Finally, we're back! I needed to edit the old private (unadvertised) blogs after some feedback. The editted versions are on-line now.

I look forward to blogging regularly again about the LORD and what He is doing in our lives here.