Friday, April 27, 2007

Vans plus a couple of follow ups

Our vans had the Salvation Army logos put on them yesterday. Today I was approached at the gas station. An older Gentleman asked for his coffee and doughnut. "This is a Sally Ann Truck isn't it?" I smiled. He then relayed how much the Army's efforts were appreciated by him and others who have served overseas...I wonder if we still do that...if not why?

Omniscient part 2

Sarah-Grace was walking to the car today. She said "I'm omniscient." / Susan replied, "You don't know everything" / "Mommy's omniscient" / "No" /"The Commissioner's omniscient..."

CFOT part 2

The video of me is up on the website again. You can see it if you can use iTunes. I can't quite get it to work but give it a try: www.cfot.ca

Thursday, April 26, 2007

General Admission

"Only General Admission Today"

You go girls!

Rebecca and Sarah-Grace were having a discussion.

Sarah-Grace: "Mommy knows everything."

Rebecca: "Mommy's not omniscient."

Sarah-Grace: "God's omniscient."

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

New CFOT website

CFOT has a new website: www.cfot.ca . This was a cadet idea. Rick has taken ownership of it and Bram Ryan has done a great job putting everything together. Well done everyone!

Check it out at http://www.cfot.ca/

I'm still not a pacifist, but...

I'm still not a pacifist, but I am certainly toying with the idea. Thanks to Bram and an excerpt from the General's thesis. The point that I am pondering is this:

if, as Christians, our battles are to be with powers and principalities rather than with flesh and blood,

and we fight in a manmade war,

and in so doing kill a fellow Christian (thus removing them from the REAL fight against the principalities)

are not we, in this situation, by fighting man's wars, working against the Kingdom of God?

Just some thoughts...I'm still not a pacifist, but this has given me some pause for thought.

Do you have any thoughts to add? blog@sheepspeak.com

Also interesting: http://www.igloo.org/disarmingconflict/mythmaki

The above link is an article from www.poughshares.ca about fighting for self-interest. (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.)

Monday, April 23, 2007

We're all getting older

Rebecca is riding her bike without training wheels now.
Way to go Becca!

Saturday, April 21, 2007

"Jesus, may I want people to be saved as much as You do"

Susan sent me this link: http://www.catholic.org.sg/reflect.php?archive=1

Saturday, April 21, 2007 St. Anselm / Acts 6:1-7 / Psalm 33 / John 6:16-21

ENORMITY

'The word of God continued to spread, while at the same time the number of the disciples in Jerusalem enormously increased.' Acts 6:7

How many new converts entered your church this Easter? Did the number of disciples enormously increase? Very few churches in the USA would be able to make this claim: 'Day by day the Lord added to their number' (Acts 2:47). Why don't we see this today in our country? Why does it happen in Africa, China, Russia, Korea, and the Philippines, but not here?

First of all, the early Church was committed to spreading the word of God. The apostles called forth deacons and stepped back from administrative duties 'to concentrate on prayer and the ministry of the word' (Acts 6:4). How many of our priests and ministers spend most of their time in prayer and the ministry of the word?

Secondly, the early Church was committed to spreading the word of God. They filled Jerusalem and the world with the name of Jesus (Acts 5:28ff). They sowed bountifully and reaped bountifully (2 Cor 9:6).

Finally, the early Church was committed to spreading the word of God. They proclaimed Jesus boldly, risked their lives, and even died to spread the gospel. They considered it a privilege to be martyred for Jesus (Phil 1:29). When we seriously sow the seed of God's word, we'll reap a harvest of new disciples.


Praise: St. Anselm prayed: 'Let me at least make some progress every day, until at last that knowledge, love and joy [in You] come to me.'


Prayer: Jesus, may I want people to be saved as much as You do.


Promise: 'They were frightened, but He told them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.' They wanted to take Him into the boat, but suddenly it came aground on the shore they had been approaching.' Jn 6:19-21

Reflections courtesy of Presentation Ministries / Bible Reading Links are to oremus Bible Browser / No Archive / Copyright © 2002-2007 Veritas! All rights reserved.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Turkish police arrest 5 in anti-Christian slayings

Police arrest 5 more suspects in Turkish Bible slayings
Last Updated: Friday, April 20, 2007 5:22 AM ET
The Associated Press

Police have detained five more suspects in the deaths of three men who were
found with their throats slit in a publishing house that prints Bibles, the
latest in a string of attacks targeting Christians in the __country.

Read more from CBC:
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/04/20/bible-turkey-070420.html

An argument in favour of the uniform

Pierre Trudeau wore flowers in his lapel and Sir Mackenzie Bowell favoured a thick white beard, but Stephen Harper is the first prime minister to have a personal stylist paid for by taxpayers.

Michelle Muntean, a former stylist for CTV News, fusses over Harper's hair, selects his clothes, and even accompanies him on official trips...all at the expense of the taxpayer

(Another issue: She's also been known to give her clients spiritual advice, leaving some critics wondering if Harper is getting more than fashion advice. "What is wrong is the use of public dollars to pay for a stylist or a psychic," said New Democrat MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis.)

read more from CTV.ca :
http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca/TopStories/ContentPosting.aspx?feedname=CTV-TOPSTORIES_V2&newsitemid=CTVNews%2f20070419%2fharper_style_070419&showbyline=True

So then, if the TSA decides to get rid of the uniform, we wouldn't want to risk looking embarrassingly inappropriate and therefore, as Canadians are paying for someone to tell the PM what to wear, I imagine that each corps (or even THQ) should hire each of us fashion consultants...I think, personally, though, I'd prefer the taxpayer-funded maid that the PM gets... (-:

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Paul and the Human Condition as espoused in Romans 1:18-25

The section begins with Paul acknowledging the human condition of those who “by their wickedness [asebeia] suppress the truth (1:18).” This is significant. Their condition is stated as receiving the wrath of God for good reason: Paul points out that the truth they are suppressing must be plain to them for God, himself, has shown it to them (1:19) through the evidence of His creation. Ever since the beginning of the world, God’s power and nature have been understood (v.20).

Though this truth was revealed to them, they neither honoured God nor gave Him the thanks He deserves; rather ‘claiming to be wise they became fools’ in that they abandoned the glory of the creator so that they might worship the image of the created (cf. Psalm 106:20). It is because they, without any good excuse, disregarded the truth and followed this lie that “God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity (v.24).” The human condition here is, by way of denying the obvious truth, one of rebellion against God.

Daily Rations with a Smile (Dr Was)

Dr Was has been an exciting ministry for us for the last few years. We have almost completed putting the entire year on-line in its new format so that the Scripture is easily accessed and the comics are available for those of us who use them for bulletins, pamphlets, and the like.

I understand that some have come up with some great ideas for Dr Was, I invite you to submit the ideas to me at drwas@sheepspeak.com. I would very much like to hear them.


You can view our Bible reading plan on-line at: http://www.havelock-viha.com/journal.htm .

You can see more comics on-line at:
http://www.sheepspeak.com/drwas.htm

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

You can tell its exam time...

You can tell its exam time. I procrastinated studying for the last three quarters of an hour to read some of 'The Expository Times' and 'Word and Deed'. Did you know Major Ian has an article in 'Word and Deed' (May 2006)? Anyway what caught my attention was a segment of Angela Shier-Jones' article about 'The Church and the World'.

As we all know Wesley was no friend of Democracy and for good reason, given his historical proximity to the horrors of the American Revolution as well as his understanding of the nature and character of God.

"His belief in God's providential ordering of society led him to support the monarchy, and write scathingly of those who fought for 'liberty' in America. _Wesley not only believed in, but actively campaigned for [true] liberty for the African slaves. He abhorred the slave trade and risked life and limb to proclaim his conviction that the trade was anti-Christian and should be abolished."

"The Wesleyan perspective on government and law considers human laws that are contrary to divine law as not being a part of God's providential plan for humanity. Freedom for heart and mind are essential to the pursuit of Christian perfection. God does not compel. God's grace is free for all, and all must be free to respond to it. The freedoms sought by the war of independence for America was not, in Wesley's opinion, however, a Godly liberty. he did not believe that freedom was being sought in order to do good or further the work of God. The people desired this liberty from their rulers in order to choose for themselves what authority should rule over them. This, to Wesley, seemed like a rejection of God's authority."

Given that the pornography industry in America today generates more revenue than all the money involved in professional sports, that there are more people imprisoned in the USA than in any other country on the face of this earth, and that it spends more money on producing weapons of mass destruction than the next four or five countries expenditures combined, etc...was he so wrong? And are we much better?

Okay back to Amos and Hosea...(whose message isn't entirely dissimilar btw)

Mike
blog@sheepspeak.com

Sunday, April 15, 2007

The faith of Charlie Brown

How's this for faithful perserverence?





I have been reading Galatians this morning (what is it 5am?) The following is a good passage that the Lord provided for me, considering my prayer expressed in the previous blog entry: Gal 5: 16-26

16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.


God is good.

So I can't sleep...

So I can't sleep again. I have been struggling with something over the past couple of weeks that some have probably picked up on a little bit: I have had a 'complaining spirit' lately. I don't like that. I know that the Lord is doing a good work. He is. I am surrounded by many here who the Lord is using to do His good work and who are seeking that as well. If anyone is praying for me please pray that He will renew a right spirit within me and create in me a clean heart.

Michael

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Misc quotes to contemplate

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

"You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. Know when to walk away, know when to run. You never count your money when you're sitting at the table. There'll be time enough for counting when the dealing's done. Now, every gambler knows the secret to surviving is knowing what to throw away, knowing what to keep..." - Kenny Rogers

"Where there's a need, there's The Salvation Army." - Winston Churchill

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

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

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Covenant, who cares?

So, who cares [about covenants]? 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 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! (Ramsay, JAC Issue 40, Dec 2005–Jan 2006 Available at: http://www.armybarmy.com/pdf/JAC_Issue_040.pdf)

BTW, have you read the new JAC yet? http://www.armybarmy.com/jac.html

Happy Founder's Day!

"I have no intention to depart in the smallest degree from the main principles on which I have acted in the past. My only hope for the permanent deliverance of mankind from misery, either in this world or the next, is the regeneration or remaking of the individual by the power of the Holy Ghost through Jesus Christ. But in providing for the relief of temporal misery I reckon that I am only making it easy where it is now difficult, and possible where it is now all but impossible, for men and women to find their way to the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (William Booth, In Darkest England and the Way Out, preface).

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Resurrection Day blogs

Armybarmy has a bunch of Easter Messages: you can check out the General's and others' Easter messages (April 7) at http://www.armybarmy.com/blog.html

Here are a couple of other Easter messages from the Pope: http://www.vatican.va/liturgical_year/holy-week/2007/index_en.htm and the
Primate of Nigeria: http://www.anglican-nig.org/easter2007message.htm .

You might also be interested in this article on Jesus' resurrection and Christian origins by the Bishop of Durham. N.T. Wright:
http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Jesus_Resurrection.htm

Happy Resurrection Day. The Son has risen.



The girls awoke to find a big part of my Easter tradition...Grandma's homemade chocolate eggs, complete with filling. Well, we're off to Church to celebrate the resurrection.

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Make Poverty History

2007 Federal Budget Analysis

There is little or nothing in the Conservative's 2007 Budget that will help to make poverty history.

Several measures that appear to address poverty, on closer examination turn out to be inferior versions of previous Liberal initiatives or actually deliver more benefit to rich families and less or nothing to poor children who need assistance the most.

read more: http://makepovertyhistory.ca/e/media/news.php?WEBYEP_DI=47

Friday, April 06, 2007

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Changing Stations in the Vatican

Way of Sorrows to call at new stations
Richard Owen in Rome

The Pope will risk upsetting many of the Roman Catholic faithful tonight after recasting a central ritual of the Easter ceremonies.

Benedict XVI has revised radically the traditional Good Friday Stations of the Cross procession that marks Christ's progress from prison to the Crucifixion. A reference to St Veronica, who wiped Christ's face with a veil, has been dropped and Judas and Pontius Pilate have been introduced.

read more from the London Times:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1620672.ece

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

We're getting close

These last couple of weeks have been tough for me. I think it is because we are getting close. We've (all of us Heralds) worked very hard, I think, towards our goal of commissioning. It is getting close and psychologically this can take its toll at times.
The other day I was sitting in a class with an instructor whose instruction I have really appreciated and enjoyed before but, as I shared with others, I felt like I was 14 in the class. I was unable to give it the attention it merited. My brain was full. Other times, in the past couple of weeks, I have found that I have given into complaining instead of persevering in love. I don't like it when this happens.

I am reminded: "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess 5:16-18 TNIV


There are many things that I have really appreciated about training college. Here are a few:

Getting to know all of the cadets. (I especially enjoyed all the deep discussions to and from the Prison last year and now again this year with a new comrade. Running with my running partner is also a blessing).

I have enjoyed serving alongside the cadets at our field placements over the past couple of years here.

The instructors have been very good. Top-of-the line really. I don't think any of us will leave here thinking that our education was -by any measure- second rate.
I have enjoyed getting to know the staff here - both Officers and non-Officer staff.

I have enjoyed the opportunity to spend so much time reading, discussing, researching, and writing about theology, ministry, and Biblical studies.

I have enjoyed my (study) time with God.

I have appreciated the 'tools' that I have acquired for my ministry 'tool box'

I have enjoyed articulating my personal theology of prayer.

I have actually enjoyed learning why we do wear our uniform but don't practice communion and baptism. I have actually at times been amused by the 'are we a church' debates. It's sort of fun...I think these debates, in and of themselves, are part of our corporate identity (-: at least in this country.

I have appreciated the support of everyone.

I have enjoyed getting to know the people at Weston, Weetamah, Stony, and the other corps in this city over the past couple of years. There are many good people here in Winnipeg.

I enjoyed getting to know the people in Maple Creek for our summer assignment as well; that was a lot of fun. I am looking forward to our specialling weekend in Weyburn.

My children have had a good time making friends in Winnipeg here that they will miss as well.

I have enjoyed serving God and the Army here at CFOT.

Seventy some-odd days to go.

Praise God for all he has taught us here.


Michael ( ramsay@sheepspeak.com )

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Resurrection Glory

resurrectongloryistock_0000.jpg

The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the keystone doctrine of the Church and of The Salvation Army. Without it, every other doctrine collapses. Our preaching is useless; our faith is vain and our witness is to be pitied (1 Cor. 15:14,19). (Read more) - from Salvationist.ca

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Palm Sundae

Catherine Quotes

“Friends, are you more concerned about relieving temporal distress than you are about feeding famished souls? If you are, you may know where you Charity comes from – hell(Papers on Godliness, p 27-28).

“All other objects and aims of life [are] subservient to the one grand purpose of preaching the Gospel to every creature and striving to win every soul with whom they come in contact to its salvation” (The Salvation Army in Relation to the Churches, pp 31-32).

Easter Play


I previewed part of an Easter play today...one of the songs is "This blood's for you" - There is something in that that I think would resonate well with the founder's idea of claiming pop secular items.