Interim ruling gives breakaway Anglican parishes sole access to churches
Last Updated: Friday, February 29, 2008 3:33 PM ET
CBC News
The southern Ontario diocese of Niagara has lost its attempt to share the church buildings of two breakaway parishes in a temporary arrangement
read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/02/29/anglican-court.html
related: http://www.anglicanjournal.com/ / http://www.anglicanplanet.net/
AND
UN experts call for protection of housing rights of Hurricane Katrina victims
28 February – United Nations experts on housing and minority rights today called on the United States Government to halt the demolition of public housing and protect the human rights of African-Americans affected by Hurricane Katrina, which battered New Orleans in 2005.
read more: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25782&Cr=housing&Cr1=
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Happy Birthday to the War Room in Vancouver
It is the Birthday of the Vancouver 614 War Room. We spent a good time in that room when we were serving there. The War Room is a room on the DTES (it was was at Main and Hastings when we were there - maybe it still is) where you can pray around the clock 24/7 in 3 hr shifts.
Priase the Lord for this ministry expression...it is important.
hat tip: www.armybarmy.com
Priase the Lord for this ministry expression...it is important.
hat tip: www.armybarmy.com
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Project Ploughshares
Have you checked out Project Ploughshares?
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)
Home page: http://www.ploughshares.ca/
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)
Home page: http://www.ploughshares.ca/
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
A day at a time
I was privilleged to attend an AA meeting the other day here. I was encouraged and excited to hear how important God is to the movement and vice versa as well, I'm sure. I, of course had the oportunity to name God as Jesus Christ and I am very thankful for that. I was also reminded through all of this that indeed as with AA it is always one day at a time; so, with God, we grow one day at a time.
related: http://www.sheepspeak.com/localmedia.htm#substances%201
related: http://www.sheepspeak.com/localmedia.htm#substances%201
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Divorced but still living together?
Breakaway Anglicans to share parish churches
Feb 24, 2008 04:30 AM
Stuart Laidlaw
Faith and Ethics Reporter
The Anglican Church of Canada and a breakaway conservative Anglican group plan to take turns today holding services at two parishes that voted last weekend to split from the national church.
"They are going to worship after us," says Michael Patterson, archdeacon for the Niagara diocese. "I think it's good news."
read more from the Toronto Star: http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/306407
Feb 24, 2008 04:30 AM
Stuart Laidlaw
Faith and Ethics Reporter
The Anglican Church of Canada and a breakaway conservative Anglican group plan to take turns today holding services at two parishes that voted last weekend to split from the national church.
"They are going to worship after us," says Michael Patterson, archdeacon for the Niagara diocese. "I think it's good news."
read more from the Toronto Star: http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/306407
Friday, February 22, 2008
Mark 3:20-35: Snowball Fight
On a quiet winter day somewhere here in northern Saskatchewan, there is this fellow – John. Now John has just finished a long tiring day of work and he is quite happy to be home. He comes in and sits down on his chair and picks up his newspaper.
Now John has a wife, Janet, and when she sees John sitting nicely in his easy chair there, she asks him what he is planning to do before dinner.“Well, I’m planning to read my paper,” John answers, but from the look on Janet’s face he can tell immediately that he has actually gotten the answer wrong. That isn’t what he is planning to do.
He looks at her in that searching way, trying to discern what the right answer to her question could be: what is he planning to do? …Is he planning to - pick something up at the store? …Is he planning to …pick up the kids from somewhere? …Is he planning to…John didn’t know.
“Shovel Mrs McMillan’s driveway,” says Janet. “You’re planning to shovel Mrs McMillan’s driveway.”“But its 40 below! …I mean…Yes dear, yes, Mrs McMillan’s driveway,” says John who, until this very moment, had no idea that he was planning to shovel their elderly neighbour’s driveway. So John grabs his shovel and heads out the door…
At just this time, as John heads outside, providentially around the corner of the house comes John Jr., his 15 year-old son: “What are you planning to do before dinner?” John Sr. asks.
“Play on the computer…” says John Jr. who, just like his father, has gotten the answer wrong. John Junior is of course now planning to shovel the driveway.
“Just let me put my school stuff away,” says Junior who is hoping to escape into the house and forget all about this plan to shovel Mrs McMillan’s driveway - that he never knew that he had made in the first place.
But Dad, who is wise to Junior’s plan, hands him the snow shovel, takes his school bag, sends him off to Mrs McMillan’s and then John promptly disappears into the garage so as to avoid finding out from Janet if indeed there is anything else he had planned to do that he didn’t know about…
Now as John Jr. is standing outside old Mrs McMillan’s driveway, who should come walking by but his little brother, Mark, and a group of his friends…Jr. yells to his 10 year-old brother and his seven or eight friends, “guess what you guys are planning to do?!”
Mark and his friends are all very good-natured and they do start out in earnest shovelling the walk but they only have 3 shovels between the eight of them and it doesn’t take too long for one of the boys to realise that this snow today actually packs quite nicely.
This friend of Mark then quite innocently makes one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight and even more snowballs and stacks them beside the shelter of a hedge. When he has got a nice lot of snowballs in front of him, Mark, who has actually been working quite diligently, notices him and asks his friend - as forcefully as he can muster - “and what are you planning to do with all those snowballs?” to which his friend replies by throwing one right at Mark. Within 10 minutes the eight boys are in a full-blown snowball fight. Having completely forgotten about any of their work when John Sr., Dad, comes around the corner,
“What do you think you are doing?”
Now Mark, in the boldness of a 10 year-old surrounded by his friends, takes the initiative to show his dad exactly what he is doing and promptly hits him with snowball. This is too much for John who then dives behind the car where he and his eldest son assemble their own arsenal and try to hold off the pack of ten year-old boys.
They are now divided into two groups and they have quite a bit of fun until all of a sudden everyone goes quiet as John and all the boys notice Janet –mom- standing, arms crossed, asking, “And what are do are you doing?”
“Shovelling the snow?” Answers John - and indeed for the next hour that is exactly what John, John Jr. and Mark are doing with their three shovels as Janet and Mrs McMillan look on from her front room.
Casting out demons (or doing any other of the Lord's work for that matter) is like shovelling the driveway (see Mark Chapter 3). If that snowball fight had persisted then that driveway would never have been shovelled.
When John, John Jr., and Mark were divided, their work did not get completed and they faced the wrath of mom.
This is the idea that Jesus is explaining to those who are accusing him of casting out demons by the Power of Beelzebub here (Mark Chapter 3). He is saying that if God has asked him to cast out demons (shovel the driveway) and if he is on the same side as Beelzebub, he wouldn't do it. But as Jesus is working for God, as he is not distracted from serving his heavenly parent, he isn't distracted from his task of clearing the driveway of the demon-possessed man's soul.
Read the whole sermon: http://www.sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/
Now John has a wife, Janet, and when she sees John sitting nicely in his easy chair there, she asks him what he is planning to do before dinner.“Well, I’m planning to read my paper,” John answers, but from the look on Janet’s face he can tell immediately that he has actually gotten the answer wrong. That isn’t what he is planning to do.
He looks at her in that searching way, trying to discern what the right answer to her question could be: what is he planning to do? …Is he planning to - pick something up at the store? …Is he planning to …pick up the kids from somewhere? …Is he planning to…John didn’t know.
“Shovel Mrs McMillan’s driveway,” says Janet. “You’re planning to shovel Mrs McMillan’s driveway.”“But its 40 below! …I mean…Yes dear, yes, Mrs McMillan’s driveway,” says John who, until this very moment, had no idea that he was planning to shovel their elderly neighbour’s driveway. So John grabs his shovel and heads out the door…
At just this time, as John heads outside, providentially around the corner of the house comes John Jr., his 15 year-old son: “What are you planning to do before dinner?” John Sr. asks.
“Play on the computer…” says John Jr. who, just like his father, has gotten the answer wrong. John Junior is of course now planning to shovel the driveway.
“Just let me put my school stuff away,” says Junior who is hoping to escape into the house and forget all about this plan to shovel Mrs McMillan’s driveway - that he never knew that he had made in the first place.
But Dad, who is wise to Junior’s plan, hands him the snow shovel, takes his school bag, sends him off to Mrs McMillan’s and then John promptly disappears into the garage so as to avoid finding out from Janet if indeed there is anything else he had planned to do that he didn’t know about…
Now as John Jr. is standing outside old Mrs McMillan’s driveway, who should come walking by but his little brother, Mark, and a group of his friends…Jr. yells to his 10 year-old brother and his seven or eight friends, “guess what you guys are planning to do?!”
Mark and his friends are all very good-natured and they do start out in earnest shovelling the walk but they only have 3 shovels between the eight of them and it doesn’t take too long for one of the boys to realise that this snow today actually packs quite nicely.
This friend of Mark then quite innocently makes one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight and even more snowballs and stacks them beside the shelter of a hedge. When he has got a nice lot of snowballs in front of him, Mark, who has actually been working quite diligently, notices him and asks his friend - as forcefully as he can muster - “and what are you planning to do with all those snowballs?” to which his friend replies by throwing one right at Mark. Within 10 minutes the eight boys are in a full-blown snowball fight. Having completely forgotten about any of their work when John Sr., Dad, comes around the corner,
“What do you think you are doing?”
Now Mark, in the boldness of a 10 year-old surrounded by his friends, takes the initiative to show his dad exactly what he is doing and promptly hits him with snowball. This is too much for John who then dives behind the car where he and his eldest son assemble their own arsenal and try to hold off the pack of ten year-old boys.
They are now divided into two groups and they have quite a bit of fun until all of a sudden everyone goes quiet as John and all the boys notice Janet –mom- standing, arms crossed, asking, “And what are do are you doing?”
“Shovelling the snow?” Answers John - and indeed for the next hour that is exactly what John, John Jr. and Mark are doing with their three shovels as Janet and Mrs McMillan look on from her front room.
Casting out demons (or doing any other of the Lord's work for that matter) is like shovelling the driveway (see Mark Chapter 3). If that snowball fight had persisted then that driveway would never have been shovelled.
When John, John Jr., and Mark were divided, their work did not get completed and they faced the wrath of mom.
This is the idea that Jesus is explaining to those who are accusing him of casting out demons by the Power of Beelzebub here (Mark Chapter 3). He is saying that if God has asked him to cast out demons (shovel the driveway) and if he is on the same side as Beelzebub, he wouldn't do it. But as Jesus is working for God, as he is not distracted from serving his heavenly parent, he isn't distracted from his task of clearing the driveway of the demon-possessed man's soul.
Read the whole sermon: http://www.sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Army Barmy Remix on the DTES
Danielle Strickland has relayed Dan Rather's report from Vancouver's DTES, our old stomping ground: http://armybarmyremix.blogspot.com/2008/02/dan-rather-doc-on-downtown-eastside.html
Army Barmy significantly notes that they don't support all of Dan Rather's observations. This is important. Harm reduction, the professed goal of 'insite', the free heroine clinic and other similar initiatives, is not a noble end. (It may, however, be a means to one's end).
We here, of course, believe in harm elimination over harm reduction. We have seen people delivered from sin, disease, addiction, and the much, much more. Why would anyone choose to die from drug addiction in a clean clinic when instead you could choose to live in a new clean life. Give people the choice: tell them about Jesus.
With God, all things are possible...
Army Barmy significantly notes that they don't support all of Dan Rather's observations. This is important. Harm reduction, the professed goal of 'insite', the free heroine clinic and other similar initiatives, is not a noble end. (It may, however, be a means to one's end).
We here, of course, believe in harm elimination over harm reduction. We have seen people delivered from sin, disease, addiction, and the much, much more. Why would anyone choose to die from drug addiction in a clean clinic when instead you could choose to live in a new clean life. Give people the choice: tell them about Jesus.
With God, all things are possible...
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
China looks out for children (and others)
China looks out for children (and others); why don't we?
Chinese authorities ... issued bans against sexually suggestive audio and video products. Regulators issued new warnings against pornography and restrictions on video-sharing websites, which are accused of containing pornography.
read more from CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/080220/K022004AU.html
As I have asked before, why do we in North America refuse to allow our population to be free from pornographic abuses? It is too bad that in NA we don't have this freedom of the Chinese people.
Chinese authorities ... issued bans against sexually suggestive audio and video products. Regulators issued new warnings against pornography and restrictions on video-sharing websites, which are accused of containing pornography.
read more from CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/080220/K022004AU.html
As I have asked before, why do we in North America refuse to allow our population to be free from pornographic abuses? It is too bad that in NA we don't have this freedom of the Chinese people.
Food for Prayer
SALVATION ARMY BRINGS COMFORT FOLLOWING HORRIFIC SHOOTING AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
The Salvation Army immediately responded yesterday after a gunman entered a lecture hall on the Northern Illinois University campus in DeKalb , Ill. , and opened fire killing six people and injuring at least 15 others before turning the gun on himself. Salvation Army emergency disaster services personnel worked with university police to provide support and emotional and spiritual care to law enforcement officials and students.
Meals, beverages and refreshments have been served from a Salvation Army canteen that was deployed to the scene. In addition, Salvation Army officers (pastors) trained in critical incident stress management were on the scene to provide comfort to law enforcement officials and students devastated by the tragedy.
Captains Alex and Aimee Norton, who oversee The Salvation Army’s work in DeKalb , Ill. , have a vital ministry on the NIU campus and were a comfort to many students dealing with the horrors that occurred on their campus. A prayer service was held last night at The Salvation Army’s DeKalb Corps and Community Center (center for worship and service) and prayer rooms were made available to students throughout the night.
The Salvation Army immediately responded yesterday after a gunman entered a lecture hall on the Northern Illinois University campus in DeKalb , Ill. , and opened fire killing six people and injuring at least 15 others before turning the gun on himself. Salvation Army emergency disaster services personnel worked with university police to provide support and emotional and spiritual care to law enforcement officials and students.
Meals, beverages and refreshments have been served from a Salvation Army canteen that was deployed to the scene. In addition, Salvation Army officers (pastors) trained in critical incident stress management were on the scene to provide comfort to law enforcement officials and students devastated by the tragedy.
Captains Alex and Aimee Norton, who oversee The Salvation Army’s work in DeKalb , Ill. , have a vital ministry on the NIU campus and were a comfort to many students dealing with the horrors that occurred on their campus. A prayer service was held last night at The Salvation Army’s DeKalb Corps and Community Center (center for worship and service) and prayer rooms were made available to students throughout the night.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
I heard the Trumpets Blowing
A memorial poem for Bill Darbyshire by Lisa
I heard the trumpets blowing,
When God whispered your name,
You've gone to be with angels,
Our world is not the same.
Each day we shared was special,
Each joy we shared was too,
I've never known another who was
Ever just like you.
Thank you for your love,
Patince tried and true,
There's a place right in my heart,
Especially for you
Safe in the arms of Jesus.
Destynie (Lisa)
This poem was read yesterday at Bill's memorial service.
I heard the trumpets blowing,
When God whispered your name,
You've gone to be with angels,
Our world is not the same.
Each day we shared was special,
Each joy we shared was too,
I've never known another who was
Ever just like you.
Thank you for your love,
Patince tried and true,
There's a place right in my heart,
Especially for you
Safe in the arms of Jesus.
Destynie (Lisa)
This poem was read yesterday at Bill's memorial service.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Parable of the Pordigal . . .
We had a great time at Men's Winter Camp this past week. Five of us came down from Nipawin. There was 45 or so from the province as a whole - it was very good and a very good turn out. We enjoyed the fellowship, the praying, the signing, and the darts. Nipawin A and B teams both participated in the darts tournament and one of them even won a prize. Majors Roy Langar and Ken Percy won the tournament. It was alot of fun. Ken Dryden, not the hockey star turned federal politician but rather an Alliance minister who works with Alpha, shared his thoughts with us on the prodigal son and the other characters in the parable.
Here are some of my thoughts on the parables of the lost:
In the parables about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, Jesus speaks about the idea that ".there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance (Luke 15:7)." It is a cause for celebration when one joins the kingdom. In the parable of the lost son (15:11-32) the father tells the oldest son that "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found (15:31-32).'" Ethically speaking then we should also be concerned about, show mercy towards, and also celebrate the return of those once lost to the Kingdom.
Read more: http://www.sheepspeak.com/NT_Michael_Ramsay.htm#Ethics of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel
And this:
Jesus tells the parable of the wicked manager directly to his disciples right after he tells the story of the prodigal son. Remember, the point of that parable (the podigal son)? What happens when the son squanders what (the) God (figure) gives him? He is forgiven. The parable is about God’s forgiveness of the son who squanders everything on wild (NIV) or dissolute (NRSV) living. As we return to God, He will forgive us whatever we have done.
But this parable raises a question, doesn't it…can we just keep sinning and it doesn’t matter? If we are members of God’s family, his household, can we just squander everything on ‘wild living’ and sin, like the son? After all, the father not only forgave him but also threw a big party in for him. So, why not keep sinning?
And this is a question that Jesus answers right away in this parable: God (the father) in the prodigal story forgives the one that squanders what he is given but God in the manager story does not.
See also: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2007/08/luke-161-13-sudden-death-overtime.html
Here are some of my thoughts on the parables of the lost:
In the parables about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, Jesus speaks about the idea that ".there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance (Luke 15:7)." It is a cause for celebration when one joins the kingdom. In the parable of the lost son (15:11-32) the father tells the oldest son that "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found (15:31-32).'" Ethically speaking then we should also be concerned about, show mercy towards, and also celebrate the return of those once lost to the Kingdom.
Read more: http://www.sheepspeak.com/NT_Michael_Ramsay.htm#Ethics of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel
And this:
Jesus tells the parable of the wicked manager directly to his disciples right after he tells the story of the prodigal son. Remember, the point of that parable (the podigal son)? What happens when the son squanders what (the) God (figure) gives him? He is forgiven. The parable is about God’s forgiveness of the son who squanders everything on wild (NIV) or dissolute (NRSV) living. As we return to God, He will forgive us whatever we have done.
But this parable raises a question, doesn't it…can we just keep sinning and it doesn’t matter? If we are members of God’s family, his household, can we just squander everything on ‘wild living’ and sin, like the son? After all, the father not only forgave him but also threw a big party in for him. So, why not keep sinning?
And this is a question that Jesus answers right away in this parable: God (the father) in the prodigal story forgives the one that squanders what he is given but God in the manager story does not.
See also: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2007/08/luke-161-13-sudden-death-overtime.html
Monday, February 11, 2008
RIRO from Army Barmy
The following is from Army Barmy's blog:
Rubbish In Rubbish Out...
There is a term in computing (look at me, such a nerd) called "RIRO". It means if you code rubbish into the computing, rubbish will be the result. Rubbish in Rubbish Out.
I read recently that in the average US home the television is being watched over 8 hours a day. This contributes to the average of 3500-5000 ads a person in the US sees every day. The numbers are lower for Canada and Australia (Go Commonweal!), but still not very good.
Watching over 8 hours of tv a day has to have an impact on your thinking. The average busy father gets to spend less than 1 minute of quality interaction with his children per day. He's competing with 8 hours of tv watching! Who's going to win out there?
I'm not saying all tv is rubbish. Hockey is pretty good. But tv does exist for the purpose of advertising, which exists for the purpose of making us feel inadequate and wanting things we don't really need. Ads are designed to tell us who we are, who we aren't, and who we should be. (The head of one prominent tv label once said "we don't seek to impact teens, we own them.")
God also wants to tell us who we are, who we aren't, and who we should and can be.
We should consider going television free for Lent / Self denial. But fasting isn't all about saying "no" to the world, it is about saying "yes" to God (see Isa 58). So why not let's try and spend as much time in Scripture and prayer in this time before Easter as we would have wasted in front of the tv? It's worth a shot. And I suspect that it might lead to "WIWO" - Word in Word out.
Grace, Aaron, www.armybarmy.com
Poverty Blog links
Here are some links to accompany the earlier poverty article / blog:
The new face of Poverty
http://renewnetwork.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html#37119133344175244
If you feel poorer, you probably are and you're not alone
http://renewnetwork.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html#5940360734636654597
Be a Hero Stuff
http://renewnetwork.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_archive.html#113502200702877662
Poverty in Canada
http://renewnetwork.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_archive.html#113605581076522404
Community vs. Market Economy Pt. 2
http://renewnetwork.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_archive.html#113469692579219466
Friday, February 08, 2008
In the news...
Want to save money - don't dwell on yourself, think of others (hey remember J.O.Y)
Last Updated: Friday, February 8, 2008 11:18 AM ET
CBC News
Feeling blue and self-focused? Watch your wallet, says a new study into consumer behaviour: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/02/08/spending.html
The Archbishop of Canterbury calls for Islamic Shariah law in Britain?
last Updated: Friday, February 8, 2008 11:10 AM ET
CBC News
The Archbishop of Canterbury has triggered a fierce debate in Britain after calling for a limited application of Islamic Shariah law for marital or financial matters: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/02/08/sharia-law.html
Religious sects face discrimination in the new Russia.
JANE ARMSTRONG
From Friday's Globe and Mail
February 8, 2008 at 4:22 AM EST
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080208.wsects08/BNStory/International/home
February Pastoral Letter from the General
http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_ihq_general.nsf/vw-dynamic-index/DFC30D4A38178B36802573D4004F39F1?Opendocument
PASTORAL LETTER SIX
ONWARD
Dear Fellow Salvationists,
I send you warmest greetings in Christ as we move onward into 2008. You are held daily in my prayers. I am deeply conscious of your prayers for me and my family at this time of health concerns. Your prayers are making a difference and I express thanks to God for your love and faithfulness.
For those of us glad to be called Salvationists there can be no standing still in the war against sin and darkness. By ‘standing still' I do not refer to taking needful rest, or to finding time to reflect and strategise. I have in mind instead the temptation to rest on our laurels, to settle for less than the best for Christ. We hear the trumpet call: ‘Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war!' The cross of Christ leads us onward.
Onward also means outward, widening our sphere of influence. Taking new ground for Christ means first moving onward in our personal faith and trust even in the hardest times. Every cloud has a silver lining put in place by God to provide new opportunities. I am finding, for example, that when we are disrupted by illness chances to witness come thick and fast. Many of you have discovered this for yourselves.
Each of us holds in his or her heart a sacred longing to be as useful to God as possible. We want to see his holy Kingdom grow, moving ever onward. Thus we move onward in our personal service, offering ourselves sacrificially for God in the world according to our gifts and abilities so that each is fully used.
As we think of service, some of us are called to full-time service away from secular settings. Some readers of this Pastoral Letter are presently candidates for officership or are now cadets in training. We need even more candidates and cadets. I hear very encouraging reports from across the world about candidates. Is God calling you to be an officer in the Army? If so, let me urge you to choose the sacred path of holy obedience. Obedience is the key to moving onward in our walk with the Lord.
All of us can move onward in our understanding of the Scriptures so that we might use more and more skilfully the ‘sword of God'. Also we must move onward, you and I, in deepening that gentle spirit of loving-kindness that comes only from Jesus, growing in tenderness toward all, being changed more and more to become like our Saviour. This is at the heart of the holy life.
Let us ask God also in our prayers to plant within each of us a strong desire to move onward in our passion for souls, in our longing to win others for Christ, feeling more keenly the dreadful consequences of remaining unsaved. Heaven awaits us when we belong to Jesus. It is our natural destiny as children of God.
So my prayer for you is that 2008 will be a year of progress in every way, a year of moving onward under God's guiding hand.
I send you my love in Christ and my constant encouragement.
I commit you to the perfect love of Christ.
Shaw Clifton,
General,
February 2008
(hat tip: http://www.armybarmy.com/)
PASTORAL LETTER SIX
ONWARD
Dear Fellow Salvationists,
I send you warmest greetings in Christ as we move onward into 2008. You are held daily in my prayers. I am deeply conscious of your prayers for me and my family at this time of health concerns. Your prayers are making a difference and I express thanks to God for your love and faithfulness.
For those of us glad to be called Salvationists there can be no standing still in the war against sin and darkness. By ‘standing still' I do not refer to taking needful rest, or to finding time to reflect and strategise. I have in mind instead the temptation to rest on our laurels, to settle for less than the best for Christ. We hear the trumpet call: ‘Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war!' The cross of Christ leads us onward.
Onward also means outward, widening our sphere of influence. Taking new ground for Christ means first moving onward in our personal faith and trust even in the hardest times. Every cloud has a silver lining put in place by God to provide new opportunities. I am finding, for example, that when we are disrupted by illness chances to witness come thick and fast. Many of you have discovered this for yourselves.
Each of us holds in his or her heart a sacred longing to be as useful to God as possible. We want to see his holy Kingdom grow, moving ever onward. Thus we move onward in our personal service, offering ourselves sacrificially for God in the world according to our gifts and abilities so that each is fully used.
As we think of service, some of us are called to full-time service away from secular settings. Some readers of this Pastoral Letter are presently candidates for officership or are now cadets in training. We need even more candidates and cadets. I hear very encouraging reports from across the world about candidates. Is God calling you to be an officer in the Army? If so, let me urge you to choose the sacred path of holy obedience. Obedience is the key to moving onward in our walk with the Lord.
All of us can move onward in our understanding of the Scriptures so that we might use more and more skilfully the ‘sword of God'. Also we must move onward, you and I, in deepening that gentle spirit of loving-kindness that comes only from Jesus, growing in tenderness toward all, being changed more and more to become like our Saviour. This is at the heart of the holy life.
Let us ask God also in our prayers to plant within each of us a strong desire to move onward in our passion for souls, in our longing to win others for Christ, feeling more keenly the dreadful consequences of remaining unsaved. Heaven awaits us when we belong to Jesus. It is our natural destiny as children of God.
So my prayer for you is that 2008 will be a year of progress in every way, a year of moving onward under God's guiding hand.
I send you my love in Christ and my constant encouragement.
I commit you to the perfect love of Christ.
Shaw Clifton,
General,
February 2008
(hat tip: http://www.armybarmy.com/)
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Galatians on discipline...
5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
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.
Read the whole chapter and Chapter 6: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205-6&version=31
13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
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.
Read the whole chapter and Chapter 6: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205-6&version=31
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Daily Rations with a Smile for February 07/08
Monday, February 04, 2008
Barmy Army Training College Idea...
From Armybarmy.com blog
Monday February 06/08
General Wickberg (ITPC - see early posts) exhorts, "If you as Training Principal fail to... train (your Cadets) to become EVANGELISTS, you have failed indeed" (emphasis his).
The same can be said to Corps Officers - if you fail to train your soldiers to become evangelists, you have failed indeed.
----
Wickberg goes on to assert, "THe Salvation Army operates Training Garrisons or Training Schools and NOT Colleges of Education" (emphasis his). But that is for another post, maybe, sometime.
----
Back to evangelism... This is what it comes down to. Feeding people is good. Clothing them and detoxing them and housing them, too - all good. Befriending, counselling, aiding, supporting, resourcing people - these are all blessed activities. But we need to try to get them all saved. The best expression of love to each of them isn't the feeding or counselling or (fill in the blank) but the means of rescue from sin and hell.
----
Let's evangelise someone today - a lot of people are using the Super Bowl as an excuse. But whatever your angle, work it.
-sec
from http://www.armybarmy.com/
Monday February 06/08
General Wickberg (ITPC - see early posts) exhorts, "If you as Training Principal fail to... train (your Cadets) to become EVANGELISTS, you have failed indeed" (emphasis his).
The same can be said to Corps Officers - if you fail to train your soldiers to become evangelists, you have failed indeed.
----
Wickberg goes on to assert, "THe Salvation Army operates Training Garrisons or Training Schools and NOT Colleges of Education" (emphasis his). But that is for another post, maybe, sometime.
----
Back to evangelism... This is what it comes down to. Feeding people is good. Clothing them and detoxing them and housing them, too - all good. Befriending, counselling, aiding, supporting, resourcing people - these are all blessed activities. But we need to try to get them all saved. The best expression of love to each of them isn't the feeding or counselling or (fill in the blank) but the means of rescue from sin and hell.
----
Let's evangelise someone today - a lot of people are using the Super Bowl as an excuse. But whatever your angle, work it.
-sec
from http://www.armybarmy.com/
Sunday, February 03, 2008
As Christians do we have a responsibility to take care of the poor?
Nipawin Journal
January 2008
Little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbour as yourself.'"
"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:13-26).
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21).”
Canada is one of the richest nations on earth; one in six Canadian children live in poverty. Do I have a responsibility to share my wealth with those who are poor? Yes.
January 2008
Little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbour as yourself.'"
"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:13-26).
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21).”
Canada is one of the richest nations on earth; one in six Canadian children live in poverty. Do I have a responsibility to share my wealth with those who are poor? Yes.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Hi Jim and Deb!
'Get your shorts and T-shirts': Canadian groundhogs predict early spring
Last Updated: Saturday, February 2, 2008 6:29 PM ET
CBC News
Canada can look forward to an early spring, according to two of the country's famous weather prognosticating rodents, but one of their American cousins predicted those south of the border may not be as lucky.
Wiarton Willie makes his annual winter weather forecast in Wiarton, Ont., on Saturday. The groundhog did not see his shadow, predicting an early spring. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
Wiarton Willie, Canada's most well-known groundhog, and Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam both failed to see their shadow as they were roused Saturday, heralding an early spring that many across the country will welcome.
The JAC is BACk:
Happy Belated Burns Day!
The Journal was in having lunch at our Cafe and took this pict of the girls wearing the Ramsay Blue outfits grandma made them and me in my Ramsay Red kilt.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
