Click here to read the sermon: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/05/2-kings-16-is-it-because-there-is-no.html
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more sermons and other writings: http://sheepspeak.com/Michael_Ramsays_opinion.htm
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Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Obesity: a matter of Holiness
www.canadiancristianity.com
www.testimonymag.com
By Caron Somers
Is it my imagination or are we all growing? And I don't necessarily mean in the Lord; I mean girth wise. As much as I enjoy stirring the pot occasionally, I have recently discovered a huge taboo subject in Christian circles--obesity.
The rapid increase of obesity in our North American culture and churches is epidemic in proportion -- but try and bring it up at church and it's fascinating to hear the responses. The worst answer I've heard is, "Well, the reason we all overeat is because we can't drink." Oh, OK then--that justifies being overweight?
read more from canadiancristianity.com : http://www.canadianchristianity.com/christianliving/090528obesity.html
www.testimonymag.com
By Caron Somers
Is it my imagination or are we all growing? And I don't necessarily mean in the Lord; I mean girth wise. As much as I enjoy stirring the pot occasionally, I have recently discovered a huge taboo subject in Christian circles--obesity.
The rapid increase of obesity in our North American culture and churches is epidemic in proportion -- but try and bring it up at church and it's fascinating to hear the responses. The worst answer I've heard is, "Well, the reason we all overeat is because we can't drink." Oh, OK then--that justifies being overweight?
read more from canadiancristianity.com : http://www.canadianchristianity.com/christianliving/090528obesity.html
The Herald of Howard Hospital
You may remember that a few years ago, Captain (Dr.) Paul Thistle was instrumental in arranging for conjoined twins, born at the Salvation Army's Howard Hospital in Zimbabwe, to be transferred to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, in order to be surgically separated. This surgery went well and the children returned to Zimbabwe in good health. Adrienne Arsenault of CBC has been reporting a series on the state of Zimbabwe and has included a follow up to this story. Adrienne's report will be aired tonight on the National News. (from Can TSA message board.)
Friday, May 29, 2009
Dr Was - May 31
Proverbs 16-18 and Romans 12
From the Reformation Collection...
From the Reformation Collection...
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.more Bible and comics: http://drwas.blogspot.com/
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www.sheepspeak.com
Dr Was - May 30
Proverbs 13-15 and Romans 11
Delilah and Samsonite
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more Bible and Comics: http://drwas.blogspot.com/
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Thursday, May 28, 2009
Justification (a new book by Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham)
The following is from an interview about the book:
When I was thinking about whether or not I should write this book, one particular image kept coming to my mind, and eventually I decided I would use it as a way to get into the main topic.
Supposing you have a friend who comes over to stay who, you discover in conversation over supper, has never realized that, in fact, the earth goes round the sun rather than the sun going round the earth. And you’re fascinated by this. You’ve never met somebody who didn’t know this before. So you take some time and you explain how astronomically we know that in fact we are going round the sun, even though from our perspective it looks as though the sun is going round us. The friend is a bit puzzled about this, and actually a bit worried.
The next morning he wakes you up early and takes you for a little walk and says, “Now let’s just stand here for a bit.” And you’re up on a hill and you see the sun coming up in all its glory. And the friend says, “There you are. You know, you have these funny theories, and I know that scientists can come up with these weird ideas sometimes. But now you’ve actually seen it with your own eyes. Perhaps it’s better to stay with what we’ve always more or less believed.”
That is how I have felt when people have listened to what I and many others have said about Paul, justification, the law, Abraham, Israel and so on. They’ve looked puzzled and a bit worried, and then they’ve said, “Well, yes, that’s all very fine. But actually Luther and Calvin got it all right, and the Westminster Confession got it all right, so let’s not worry about any of this other stuff.”
The frustration is that they’re not listening. They’re not actually paying attention to what I and others are saying. I’m not saying I’ve got it all right; I’m quite sure there’ll be significant flaws in what I’ve said. What I am saying is, Can you not actually see that what is being said is not an overthrowing of all your perceptions, but a placing of them in a larger context?
As I was developing this illustration to get us into the book, to explain my frustration with how the debate currently is or isn’t, it occurred to me that actually it’s more than just an illustrationof the frustration you feel. Because when people say that Paul is concerned about me and my salvation, I want to say, well, yes, you and your salvation, me and mine, these are important. But actually we mustn’t make the mistake of thinking the sun goes round the earth.
We mustn’t make the mistake of thinking that everything God does is just for the sake of little old me. We should rather realize that in biblical theology it is we who are circling round God; it is we who are in orbit around him. God and God’s purposes for the whole creation are what matters, and we should be so lucky as to be caught up in orbit round God. That shift of perspective is actually what I think a lot of people are resisting. But resistance is futile becausethe Bible is about God and God’s purposes before it is about me and my salvation. So that’s how the whole book really gets under way.
read more of the interview with the author: http://www.ivpress.com/title/ata/wright_qa.pdf
read more from NT Wirght: http://www.ntwrightpage.com/
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
When I was thinking about whether or not I should write this book, one particular image kept coming to my mind, and eventually I decided I would use it as a way to get into the main topic.
Supposing you have a friend who comes over to stay who, you discover in conversation over supper, has never realized that, in fact, the earth goes round the sun rather than the sun going round the earth. And you’re fascinated by this. You’ve never met somebody who didn’t know this before. So you take some time and you explain how astronomically we know that in fact we are going round the sun, even though from our perspective it looks as though the sun is going round us. The friend is a bit puzzled about this, and actually a bit worried.
The next morning he wakes you up early and takes you for a little walk and says, “Now let’s just stand here for a bit.” And you’re up on a hill and you see the sun coming up in all its glory. And the friend says, “There you are. You know, you have these funny theories, and I know that scientists can come up with these weird ideas sometimes. But now you’ve actually seen it with your own eyes. Perhaps it’s better to stay with what we’ve always more or less believed.”
That is how I have felt when people have listened to what I and many others have said about Paul, justification, the law, Abraham, Israel and so on. They’ve looked puzzled and a bit worried, and then they’ve said, “Well, yes, that’s all very fine. But actually Luther and Calvin got it all right, and the Westminster Confession got it all right, so let’s not worry about any of this other stuff.”
The frustration is that they’re not listening. They’re not actually paying attention to what I and others are saying. I’m not saying I’ve got it all right; I’m quite sure there’ll be significant flaws in what I’ve said. What I am saying is, Can you not actually see that what is being said is not an overthrowing of all your perceptions, but a placing of them in a larger context?
As I was developing this illustration to get us into the book, to explain my frustration with how the debate currently is or isn’t, it occurred to me that actually it’s more than just an illustrationof the frustration you feel. Because when people say that Paul is concerned about me and my salvation, I want to say, well, yes, you and your salvation, me and mine, these are important. But actually we mustn’t make the mistake of thinking the sun goes round the earth.
We mustn’t make the mistake of thinking that everything God does is just for the sake of little old me. We should rather realize that in biblical theology it is we who are circling round God; it is we who are in orbit around him. God and God’s purposes for the whole creation are what matters, and we should be so lucky as to be caught up in orbit round God. That shift of perspective is actually what I think a lot of people are resisting. But resistance is futile becausethe Bible is about God and God’s purposes before it is about me and my salvation. So that’s how the whole book really gets under way.
read more of the interview with the author: http://www.ivpress.com/title/ata/wright_qa.pdf
read more from NT Wirght: http://www.ntwrightpage.com/
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
From Armybarmy REMIX
helping prostituted persons politically incorrect...
An appeal from the Saltshakers organization I received today reads like this: News - Discrimination laws #3We are saddened to note the following headline on the web over the weekend... " Sex workers win apology from Salvation Army after threatening protest on Red Shield Appeal "
As part of this years Red Shield Appeal the Salvation Army had prepared advertisements with stories of how they had helped people. An advert in last Friday's Telegraph newspaper in Sydney told the brief story of a male prostitute who had been helped out of prostitution.
The Scarlet Alliance, which represents the interests of prostitutes nationwide, were upset by the ad and threatened to issue a ‘red ban’ on the Red Shield Appeal which was launched Friday. They claimed the ad was "capitalising on DISCRIMINATION against sex workers".
The Salvation Army issued an apology and said it would not use the advert again!!!!! It would appear they were afraid it would affect their appeal receipts. The liveNews web site contains a video of the apology
How absurd this whole issue of discrimination has become, when prostitutes can blackmail a Christian organisation and accuse them of discrimination for telling such a story. Note that the story did not even directly attack the SIN of prostitution!
Yet, on The Scarlet Alliance web site, they have a picture of the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence", men dressed as Nuns, and a "naughty nurse" at Mardi Gras 07. They are clearly discriminating against the Catholic church and nurses!!
They also have a section titled, " Internet Viewing For Whores and Whore Lovers"!
One Goal of Scarlet Alliance is "To promote the civil and human rights of past and present sex workers [prostitutes] and to work toward ending all forms of discrimination against them".
Prostitutes 'rights' now appear to supersede the right of free speech and the 'right' to tell a HAPPY story of someone leaving such a degrading lifestyle.
Frankly, I think William Booth would be very disappointed to know that the organisation he founded had given in to such ridiculous provocation.
If this capitulation can happen when exceptions are in place - What next?
Action - Please write to the Salvation ArmyPlease write to the Salvation Army - commend them for the work they do and for tackling the issue of prostitution.
Express your concern that they were blackmailed in this way but that you are disappointed that they removed the ad and apologised for speaking the TRUTH.
Point out that this sets a terrible precedent that will affect any other Christian who dares call sin a sin in this nation.
They may not retract their apology but we could suggest it. Email: salvosaus@aus.salvationarmy.org
Prostitution destroys lives, marriages and families. Many prostitutes are drug addicts. Either because they are prostitutes and the drugs hide the pain or they are users trying to make enough to pay for their habit.
They need our help.
At the same time society needs to be reminded that prostitution is neither healthy nor moral.
Peter Stokes
Executive Officer
Salt Shakers
03 9800 2855
www.saltshakers.org.au
An appeal from the Saltshakers organization I received today reads like this: News - Discrimination laws #3We are saddened to note the following headline on the web over the weekend... " Sex workers win apology from Salvation Army after threatening protest on Red Shield Appeal "
As part of this years Red Shield Appeal the Salvation Army had prepared advertisements with stories of how they had helped people. An advert in last Friday's Telegraph newspaper in Sydney told the brief story of a male prostitute who had been helped out of prostitution.
The Scarlet Alliance, which represents the interests of prostitutes nationwide, were upset by the ad and threatened to issue a ‘red ban’ on the Red Shield Appeal which was launched Friday. They claimed the ad was "capitalising on DISCRIMINATION against sex workers".
The Salvation Army issued an apology and said it would not use the advert again!!!!! It would appear they were afraid it would affect their appeal receipts. The liveNews web site contains a video of the apology
How absurd this whole issue of discrimination has become, when prostitutes can blackmail a Christian organisation and accuse them of discrimination for telling such a story. Note that the story did not even directly attack the SIN of prostitution!
Yet, on The Scarlet Alliance web site, they have a picture of the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence", men dressed as Nuns, and a "naughty nurse" at Mardi Gras 07. They are clearly discriminating against the Catholic church and nurses!!
They also have a section titled, " Internet Viewing For Whores and Whore Lovers"!
One Goal of Scarlet Alliance is "To promote the civil and human rights of past and present sex workers [prostitutes] and to work toward ending all forms of discrimination against them".
Prostitutes 'rights' now appear to supersede the right of free speech and the 'right' to tell a HAPPY story of someone leaving such a degrading lifestyle.
Frankly, I think William Booth would be very disappointed to know that the organisation he founded had given in to such ridiculous provocation.
If this capitulation can happen when exceptions are in place - What next?
Action - Please write to the Salvation ArmyPlease write to the Salvation Army - commend them for the work they do and for tackling the issue of prostitution.
Express your concern that they were blackmailed in this way but that you are disappointed that they removed the ad and apologised for speaking the TRUTH.
Point out that this sets a terrible precedent that will affect any other Christian who dares call sin a sin in this nation.
They may not retract their apology but we could suggest it. Email: salvosaus@aus.salvationarmy.org
Prostitution destroys lives, marriages and families. Many prostitutes are drug addicts. Either because they are prostitutes and the drugs hide the pain or they are users trying to make enough to pay for their habit.
They need our help.
At the same time society needs to be reminded that prostitution is neither healthy nor moral.
Peter Stokes
Executive Officer
Salt Shakers
03 9800 2855
www.saltshakers.org.au
Salvation Army Releases Nationwide Study on Homelessness
Posted on 21 May 2009 Tags: homeless, poverty, press-release
Toronto, ON May 5, 2009 – The Salvation Army has released a report with findings from a national study on homelessness in Canada. The report – “Poverty Shouldn’t be a Life Sentence” - is based on information from surveys of hundreds of homeless men living in Salvation Army shelter care between 2007-2008 and finds that factors such as employment, income, healthcare and housing continue to adversely affect the marginalized throughout Canada.
These findings show that nearly 30 percent of homeless men are employed and nearly two-thirds receive money from some source of welfare or a job, yet many still find themselves within the shelter care system. The findings conclude that a national housing strategy, which includes social services, like job training, health care and counseling, must be prioritized by federal officials in order to end the cycle of poverty.
“Our study found that there’s an immediate demand for affordable housing,” said Commissioner William W. Francis, Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda “But, housing by itself, will not solve homelessness. It’s only through a strong foundation of social supports that homeless individuals can begin to transition out of poverty and into permanent housing.”
read more: http://www.salvationarmy.ca/2009/05/21/salvation-army-releases-nationwide-study-on-homelessness/
Toronto, ON May 5, 2009 – The Salvation Army has released a report with findings from a national study on homelessness in Canada. The report – “Poverty Shouldn’t be a Life Sentence” - is based on information from surveys of hundreds of homeless men living in Salvation Army shelter care between 2007-2008 and finds that factors such as employment, income, healthcare and housing continue to adversely affect the marginalized throughout Canada.
These findings show that nearly 30 percent of homeless men are employed and nearly two-thirds receive money from some source of welfare or a job, yet many still find themselves within the shelter care system. The findings conclude that a national housing strategy, which includes social services, like job training, health care and counseling, must be prioritized by federal officials in order to end the cycle of poverty.
“Our study found that there’s an immediate demand for affordable housing,” said Commissioner William W. Francis, Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda “But, housing by itself, will not solve homelessness. It’s only through a strong foundation of social supports that homeless individuals can begin to transition out of poverty and into permanent housing.”
read more: http://www.salvationarmy.ca/2009/05/21/salvation-army-releases-nationwide-study-on-homelessness/
Monday, May 25, 2009
Darwin's "Recapitulation and Conclusion"
Charles Darwin has had a significant impact on our society. His name is generally recognised by people in the western world. He has places and animals named after him. It is very interesting also that though there are a number of people in the world who have made their marks in a number of different fields, Darwin seemed to only seek publicity in the field of biology but has achieved notoriety as well in religious circles. While he had theological training, I am unaware of any significant theological papers he wrote; he did not seek notoriety in this area. It found him: his ideas about biology, natural selection, and evolution have drawn the attention of scientists (regardless of religious worldview) and Christians (regardless of profession) alike.
The above cited section of the text is obviously a scientific text. It is a biology paper. This is not my area of expertise and has necessitated some serious reflection. (My wife has a biology degree.) I have never really understood some of the church-going Christians’ objections to Darwin. This is a topic that inevitably came up in my church as I was growing up. My church was adjacent to the University of Victoria (Emmanuel Baptist). Some would argue that Darwin was a heretic. Others would argue that he was right. Others would argue that he was irrelevant to most of the theological conversations in which his name is raised. I think that Darwin would take the latter position. He wrote in "Recapitulation and Conclusion":
read more: http://www.sheepspeak.com/Michael_Ramsay_History_TSA.htm#Darwin
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www.sheepspeak.com
The above cited section of the text is obviously a scientific text. It is a biology paper. This is not my area of expertise and has necessitated some serious reflection. (My wife has a biology degree.) I have never really understood some of the church-going Christians’ objections to Darwin. This is a topic that inevitably came up in my church as I was growing up. My church was adjacent to the University of Victoria (Emmanuel Baptist). Some would argue that Darwin was a heretic. Others would argue that he was right. Others would argue that he was irrelevant to most of the theological conversations in which his name is raised. I think that Darwin would take the latter position. He wrote in "Recapitulation and Conclusion":
read more: http://www.sheepspeak.com/Michael_Ramsay_History_TSA.htm#Darwin
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www.sheepspeak.com
Prison from a Christian Perspective
www.canadianchristianity.com
By Jim Coggins
IN A COUNTRY racked by escalating gang violence, there is a new focus on law enforcement and longer prison sentences. But Christians working in the field say prisons are not necessarily the answer.
"You can't just warehouse people in prison and expect them to change," said Wayne Northey, executive director of the M2/W2 prison visitation ministry in British Columbia. ...
...Northey agreed that Christians can bring in a component that governments cannot, but he added that even a secular justice system can bring positive results if it uses a restorative justice model. He cited the example of the modern Japanese prison system, which uses "Christian" concepts such as confession, restoration and absolution.
A restorative justice model involves the wrongdoer not only apologizing to the person wronged but also making restitution, allowing both the victim and the wrongdoer "to move on," said Northey. Restitution is prominent in the Old Testament, beginning with Cain and Abel, and was modeled by Zacchaeus in the New Testament.
The experience of Christians being imprisoned for their faith should give us pause, Northey suggested, recalling Jesus' words, "I was in prison, and you visited me."
"We are saved by faith. We should bring a similar experience of justification to others," said Northey. The goal, he added, is to "turn the person not just into a non-criminal but also into a contributing member of society."
By Jim Coggins
IN A COUNTRY racked by escalating gang violence, there is a new focus on law enforcement and longer prison sentences. But Christians working in the field say prisons are not necessarily the answer.
"You can't just warehouse people in prison and expect them to change," said Wayne Northey, executive director of the M2/W2 prison visitation ministry in British Columbia. ...
...Northey agreed that Christians can bring in a component that governments cannot, but he added that even a secular justice system can bring positive results if it uses a restorative justice model. He cited the example of the modern Japanese prison system, which uses "Christian" concepts such as confession, restoration and absolution.
A restorative justice model involves the wrongdoer not only apologizing to the person wronged but also making restitution, allowing both the victim and the wrongdoer "to move on," said Northey. Restitution is prominent in the Old Testament, beginning with Cain and Abel, and was modeled by Zacchaeus in the New Testament.
The experience of Christians being imprisoned for their faith should give us pause, Northey suggested, recalling Jesus' words, "I was in prison, and you visited me."
"We are saved by faith. We should bring a similar experience of justification to others," said Northey. The goal, he added, is to "turn the person not just into a non-criminal but also into a contributing member of society."
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Captain Michael Ramsay:
"Covenant and Holiness are the pontoons which keep the raft of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral afloat in the Sea of Salvationism"
FYI
The views, comments, statements and opinions expressed on this website do not necessarily represent the official position of The Salvation Army.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Salvation Army Nationwide Study on Homelessness
http://www.salvationarmy.ca/
Posted on 12 May 2009
Toronto, ON May 5, 2009 – The Salvation Army has released a report with findings from a national study on homelessness in Canada. The report – “Poverty Shouldn’t be a Life Sentence” - is based on information from surveys of hundreds of homeless men living in Salvation Army shelter care between 2007-2008 and finds that factors such as employment, income, healthcare and housing continue to adversely affect the marginalized throughout Canada.
These findings show that nearly 30 percent of homeless men are employed and nearly two-thirds receive money from some source of welfare or a job, yet many still find themselves within the shelter care system. The findings conclude that a national housing strategy, which includes social services, like job training, health care and counseling, must be prioritized by federal officials in order to end the cycle of poverty.
read more from Salvationarmy.ca: http://www.salvationarmy.ca/2009/05/12/salvation-army-releases-nationwide-study-on-homelessness/
Posted on 12 May 2009
Toronto, ON May 5, 2009 – The Salvation Army has released a report with findings from a national study on homelessness in Canada. The report – “Poverty Shouldn’t be a Life Sentence” - is based on information from surveys of hundreds of homeless men living in Salvation Army shelter care between 2007-2008 and finds that factors such as employment, income, healthcare and housing continue to adversely affect the marginalized throughout Canada.
These findings show that nearly 30 percent of homeless men are employed and nearly two-thirds receive money from some source of welfare or a job, yet many still find themselves within the shelter care system. The findings conclude that a national housing strategy, which includes social services, like job training, health care and counseling, must be prioritized by federal officials in order to end the cycle of poverty.
read more from Salvationarmy.ca: http://www.salvationarmy.ca/2009/05/12/salvation-army-releases-nationwide-study-on-homelessness/
As Christians do we have a responsibility to take care of the poor?
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.
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.
Monday, May 18, 2009
This train... (covenant)
...This brings me to my second point of emphasis: covenants are not punishments; the consequences for rebelling against covenants are not punishments; the consequences of rebellion are the natural and logical results of our own actions.
As I have already pointed out, the origin of the Hebrew word for ‘covenant’ comes from a root word meaning, ‘to be shackled together.’ The image of a covenant then is one of being shackled to God through a promise. One can compare a covenant with God (be it through marriage, Soldiership, Officership …) to being shackled to a locomotive, with God being the locomotive. When we are chained to the train and ride comfortably on it – following the Lord’s leading - we wind up where He is going a lot faster and a lot easier than if we travel the tracks on our own strength (under our own steam). This is the benefit of a strong covenant with the Lord.
If, however, once we are bound to the Locomotive of the Lord by a covenant, if we try to go our own way or try to shackle ourselves to something going in a different direction, it is not going to be a pleasant experience. The tie doesn’t break. Disobedience to our covenants is like jumping off the train and trying to run in the opposite direction while we are still chained to it. It is going to hurt but this is not God’s fault. He doesn’t throw us from the train and because God is faithful (cf. Rom 3:3,4) this covenantal chain is so strong that it won’t break - therefore what we suffer are the natural results of our own actions.
This is what happened in the stories of the Judges (cf. Judges 2). God, wanting the Israelites to experience the full rest of the promise land entered into a covenant with Abraham and then with Israel. They willing shackled themselves to His train but later, however, the Israelites also shackled themselves to the Gibeonite train that was going in a different direction and suffered the natural and logical consequences of their actions. This is exactly what happens to us when we don’t respect our covenants.
There is good news in all this though and this good news is a great strength for covenanted people: no matter how many times we are faithless and jump off that train; no matter how many times we try to break the covenant; no matter how many times we throw ourselves on the tracks, under the wheels of the ‘God Train’, the Lord is faithful. While we are still alive (cf. Romans 7:1,2), there is opportunity to return to the Lord, the covenantal chain will not be broken.
God is faithful, and Jesus himself is standing here as the new chain that binds all of us in our relationship to God. Jesus is the new covenant through whom whosoever may will indeed be pulled back up onto the train as we turn to and rely on the Lord; so then instead of rebelling against God, instead of pulling against the tie that binds, let us all give our lives over fully to the Lord, buckle up, lean back and enjoy the fully sanctified ride on His train because His train is bound for glory.
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read more: http://www.armybarmy.com/JAC/article10-56.html
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read the latest issue of JAC: http://www.armybarmy.com/jac.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
As I have already pointed out, the origin of the Hebrew word for ‘covenant’ comes from a root word meaning, ‘to be shackled together.’ The image of a covenant then is one of being shackled to God through a promise. One can compare a covenant with God (be it through marriage, Soldiership, Officership …) to being shackled to a locomotive, with God being the locomotive. When we are chained to the train and ride comfortably on it – following the Lord’s leading - we wind up where He is going a lot faster and a lot easier than if we travel the tracks on our own strength (under our own steam). This is the benefit of a strong covenant with the Lord.
If, however, once we are bound to the Locomotive of the Lord by a covenant, if we try to go our own way or try to shackle ourselves to something going in a different direction, it is not going to be a pleasant experience. The tie doesn’t break. Disobedience to our covenants is like jumping off the train and trying to run in the opposite direction while we are still chained to it. It is going to hurt but this is not God’s fault. He doesn’t throw us from the train and because God is faithful (cf. Rom 3:3,4) this covenantal chain is so strong that it won’t break - therefore what we suffer are the natural results of our own actions.
This is what happened in the stories of the Judges (cf. Judges 2). God, wanting the Israelites to experience the full rest of the promise land entered into a covenant with Abraham and then with Israel. They willing shackled themselves to His train but later, however, the Israelites also shackled themselves to the Gibeonite train that was going in a different direction and suffered the natural and logical consequences of their actions. This is exactly what happens to us when we don’t respect our covenants.
There is good news in all this though and this good news is a great strength for covenanted people: no matter how many times we are faithless and jump off that train; no matter how many times we try to break the covenant; no matter how many times we throw ourselves on the tracks, under the wheels of the ‘God Train’, the Lord is faithful. While we are still alive (cf. Romans 7:1,2), there is opportunity to return to the Lord, the covenantal chain will not be broken.
God is faithful, and Jesus himself is standing here as the new chain that binds all of us in our relationship to God. Jesus is the new covenant through whom whosoever may will indeed be pulled back up onto the train as we turn to and rely on the Lord; so then instead of rebelling against God, instead of pulling against the tie that binds, let us all give our lives over fully to the Lord, buckle up, lean back and enjoy the fully sanctified ride on His train because His train is bound for glory.
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read more: http://www.armybarmy.com/JAC/article10-56.html
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read the latest issue of JAC: http://www.armybarmy.com/jac.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
a home for faithful Anglicans
The Anglican Planet
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 02:01PM
By Charles Lewis
The move to create a new conservative Anglican jurisdiction in North America got an enormous boost on April 16th as bishops representing three-quarters of the faith's worldwide adherents said they would recognize the breakaway faction in defiance of the wishes of the established churches of Canada and the United States.
Meeting in London, the leaders of Anglican churches from Africa and other parts of the Southern Hemisphere said the new "province" would be seen as the home to "faithful Anglicans" in Canada and the United States and would be considered part of the worldwide Communion.
read more: http://anglicanplanet.squarespace.com/international-news/2009/4/30/anglican-entity-has-blessing-of-global-south.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 02:01PM
By Charles Lewis
The move to create a new conservative Anglican jurisdiction in North America got an enormous boost on April 16th as bishops representing three-quarters of the faith's worldwide adherents said they would recognize the breakaway faction in defiance of the wishes of the established churches of Canada and the United States.
Meeting in London, the leaders of Anglican churches from Africa and other parts of the Southern Hemisphere said the new "province" would be seen as the home to "faithful Anglicans" in Canada and the United States and would be considered part of the worldwide Communion.
read more: http://anglicanplanet.squarespace.com/international-news/2009/4/30/anglican-entity-has-blessing-of-global-south.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Canada's churches look into impact of oilsands projects
From CBC News
Alberta's oilsands developments are coming under the scrutiny of church leaders from across the country.
Officials with Kairos, a multi-denominational social justice group, are heading to Fort McMurray to see the impact of development first-hand.
The delegation will spend a week in the region, starting May 21-27.
read more from CBC.ca: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/05/17/edm-churches-oilsands.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
Alberta's oilsands developments are coming under the scrutiny of church leaders from across the country.
Officials with Kairos, a multi-denominational social justice group, are heading to Fort McMurray to see the impact of development first-hand.
The delegation will spend a week in the region, starting May 21-27.
read more from CBC.ca: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/05/17/edm-churches-oilsands.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
a rerun for prophets?
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 highplaces 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 notwithdraw it. He asks the prophet to intercede with the LORD that his handmay 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 topresent 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 gowith you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here. For I was commanded bythe word of the LORD: 'You must not eat bread or drink water or return bythe 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 inviteshim for dinner. The young prophet declines. The old prophet then lies tohim, saying the LORD asked him to invite the young prophet to his home toeat and drink with him. The young man accepts.
B) While they are dining together the LORD speaks to the young though theold telling him that because he has defied God (by eating and drinking atthe 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 tomb.
-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?
read more from 01 October 2006's blog: http://renewnetwork.blogspot.com/2006_10_01_archive.html#116178908093241020
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www.sheepspeak.com
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 highplaces 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 notwithdraw it. He asks the prophet to intercede with the LORD that his handmay 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 topresent 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 gowith you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here. For I was commanded bythe word of the LORD: 'You must not eat bread or drink water or return bythe 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 inviteshim for dinner. The young prophet declines. The old prophet then lies tohim, saying the LORD asked him to invite the young prophet to his home toeat and drink with him. The young man accepts.
B) While they are dining together the LORD speaks to the young though theold telling him that because he has defied God (by eating and drinking atthe 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 tomb.
-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?
read more from 01 October 2006's blog: http://renewnetwork.blogspot.com/2006_10_01_archive.html#116178908093241020
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www.sheepspeak.com
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Proverbs 1:7, 9:10: Yir’ah, The Fear of the LORD.
Proverbs 1:7, 9:10: Yir’ah, The Fear of the LORD.
Presented to the Nipawin Corps 17 May 2009 by Captain Michael Ramsay
This week – for those of us who have been reading through the Bible together as a community – we started on the book of Proverbs. As I was considering these readings, I ran across a number of more or less contemporary proverbs about optimists and pessimists:
– In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip. ~Daniel L. Reardon
– Pessimist: One who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both. ~Oscar Wilde
– Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute. ~Gil Stern
– An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan
– Always borrow money from a pessimist, he doesn't expect to be paid back. ~Author Unknown[1]
My favourite: This is more of a definition than a proverb actually but both Susan and Rebecca read this quote to me in the past couple of weeks so I thought that I would share this from Lemony Snicket:
– An Optimist is a word which here refers to a person…who thinks hopeful and pleasant thoughts about nearly everything. If an optimist had his left arm chewed off by an alligator, he might say, in a pleasant and hopeful voice, "Well, this isn't too bad. I don't have my left arm anymore, but at least nobody will ever ask me whether I am right-handed or left-handed," but most of us would say something more along the lines of "Aaaaah! My arm! My arm!" ~Lemony Snicket[2]
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/05/proverbs-17-910-yirah-fear-of-lord.html
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More sermons: http://www.sheepspeak.com/sermons.htm
More other stuff: http://www.sheepspeak.com/
Presented to the Nipawin Corps 17 May 2009 by Captain Michael Ramsay
This week – for those of us who have been reading through the Bible together as a community – we started on the book of Proverbs. As I was considering these readings, I ran across a number of more or less contemporary proverbs about optimists and pessimists:
– In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip. ~Daniel L. Reardon
– Pessimist: One who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both. ~Oscar Wilde
– Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute. ~Gil Stern
– An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan
– Always borrow money from a pessimist, he doesn't expect to be paid back. ~Author Unknown[1]
My favourite: This is more of a definition than a proverb actually but both Susan and Rebecca read this quote to me in the past couple of weeks so I thought that I would share this from Lemony Snicket:
– An Optimist is a word which here refers to a person…who thinks hopeful and pleasant thoughts about nearly everything. If an optimist had his left arm chewed off by an alligator, he might say, in a pleasant and hopeful voice, "Well, this isn't too bad. I don't have my left arm anymore, but at least nobody will ever ask me whether I am right-handed or left-handed," but most of us would say something more along the lines of "Aaaaah! My arm! My arm!" ~Lemony Snicket[2]
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/05/proverbs-17-910-yirah-fear-of-lord.html
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More sermons: http://www.sheepspeak.com/sermons.htm
More other stuff: http://www.sheepspeak.com/
Friday, May 15, 2009
The great divorce (Anglican style)
Vancouver Anglicans go to court
www.canadianchristianity.com
ANGLICANS in the Diocese of New Westminster are scheduled to go to court May 23 in a case that could determine the shape of Canadian Anglicanism.
read more: http://www.canadianchristianity.com/nationalupdates/090514anglicans.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
www.canadianchristianity.com
ANGLICANS in the Diocese of New Westminster are scheduled to go to court May 23 in a case that could determine the shape of Canadian Anglicanism.
read more: http://www.canadianchristianity.com/nationalupdates/090514anglicans.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
Dr Was - May 17
more comics and Bible: http://drwas.blogspot.com/
1 Kings 2 and 1 Chronicles 29 and Psalm 95 and 2 Thessalonians 1
1 Kings 2 and 1 Chronicles 29 and Psalm 95 and 2 Thessalonians 1
Love the Lord your God: Theistic values in the impending societies declared by Luke and Marx
Luke, a first century physician, acknowledged the sovereignty of God and he opened his gospel by showing that God is an active being who not only sends angles but also his own son into the world (Luke 1-2). He is a God for whom nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37) and He has chosen to be our saviour (Luke 1:47) and redeem his people (Luke 1:68). Jesus teaches us through parables and extols the principle of egalitarianism in the impending Kingdom of God. God is a God of miracles and He is a God who cares about the poor.
Marx was born in Trier in 1818 to a Jewish-German family, which had converted to Christianity. He rejected this upbringing and lived his life as an atheist who denied God.[4] Marx says of religion, “Man… looked for a superman in the fantastic reality of heaven and found nothing but the reflection of himself”[5] He says religion is the ‘opium of the people’ and “the abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness.”[6]
Read more from: Good News to the Poor: Comparing a Christian Worldview as expressed in Luke’s Gospel to Marx by Captain Michael Ramsay: http://www.sheepspeak.com/Michael_Ramsay_History_TSA.htm#Marx
Marx was born in Trier in 1818 to a Jewish-German family, which had converted to Christianity. He rejected this upbringing and lived his life as an atheist who denied God.[4] Marx says of religion, “Man… looked for a superman in the fantastic reality of heaven and found nothing but the reflection of himself”[5] He says religion is the ‘opium of the people’ and “the abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness.”[6]
Read more from: Good News to the Poor: Comparing a Christian Worldview as expressed in Luke’s Gospel to Marx by Captain Michael Ramsay: http://www.sheepspeak.com/Michael_Ramsay_History_TSA.htm#Marx
How much of my income belongs to God?
Nipawin Journal. May, 2009
By Captain Michael Ramsay.
ALL OF IT.
By Captain Michael Ramsay.
ALL OF IT.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Covenant: When God is Bound...a look at Genesis:15:7-21
Journal of Aggressive Christianity, Issue 52, December 2007 – January 2008
by Captain Michael Ramsay
In our world today, people seem to be entering into covenants less and less and the ones that we are engaging in then are being taken less and less seriously. Of the 'till death do we part' vows that couples take before God, half are broken. Covenants are not being taken any more seriously by those in the church than they are by those in secular society. This is distressing. For the Salvationist this should be even more alarming. I have heard testimony of some soldiers drinking, smoking, gambling, and seen many who are obviously flirting with that 'which can enslave the mind and body.' I think we try to walk away from our vows too easily; I am not convinced that God actually lets the ties of covenant fall as easily as some might like. I am not convinced that simply declaring oneself 'un-wed' in the courts or renouncing our soldiership vows necessarily releases us from these covenants with God. There are no consequences for taking vows but there are consequences for breaking vows.
read more: http://www.sheepspeak.com/Michael_Ramsay_JAC.htm#Covenant%20-%20When%20God%20is%20Bound
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www.sheepspeak.com
by Captain Michael Ramsay
In our world today, people seem to be entering into covenants less and less and the ones that we are engaging in then are being taken less and less seriously. Of the 'till death do we part' vows that couples take before God, half are broken. Covenants are not being taken any more seriously by those in the church than they are by those in secular society. This is distressing. For the Salvationist this should be even more alarming. I have heard testimony of some soldiers drinking, smoking, gambling, and seen many who are obviously flirting with that 'which can enslave the mind and body.' I think we try to walk away from our vows too easily; I am not convinced that God actually lets the ties of covenant fall as easily as some might like. I am not convinced that simply declaring oneself 'un-wed' in the courts or renouncing our soldiership vows necessarily releases us from these covenants with God. There are no consequences for taking vows but there are consequences for breaking vows.
read more: http://www.sheepspeak.com/Michael_Ramsay_JAC.htm#Covenant%20-%20When%20God%20is%20Bound
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www.sheepspeak.com
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Election Day in BC
an exerpt from VOTE FOR JESUS (JAC #57)
regardless of who is elected, services will not improve so much that the blind will see and the lame will walk (Matt 15:31, Lk 7:22). A majority government ... is not going to solve all of our problems. Not one of our leaders can walk on water – no matter what their ads tell us – not one of them has been raised from the dead.
There is a leader though who has and he's not running in the election. There is a leader who has done all that and he lived 2000 years ago. This leader did all these things and more. He even preached good news to the poor and meant it and they believed him and then, like all great leaders, he died. Jesus died but it didn't end there and this is important. The Apostle Paul says:
"Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the good news (gospel) I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this good news (gospel) you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...(1 Corinthians 15: 1-4)"
This is the most important part of the Christian faith: Paul says that it is because of the good news (gospel) that Christ died for our sins, was buried and raised from the dead that we can be saved. It was in this that He actually won the eternal election.
It is only because Jesus did win that election; it is only because of His death and resurrection that we have any hope at all because if Christ wasn't raised from the dead then what is the point of 'being a Christian'?
read more: http://www.sheepspeak.com/Michael_Ramsay_JAC.htm#Vote%20for%20Jesus
www.sheepspeak.com
regardless of who is elected, services will not improve so much that the blind will see and the lame will walk (Matt 15:31, Lk 7:22). A majority government ... is not going to solve all of our problems. Not one of our leaders can walk on water – no matter what their ads tell us – not one of them has been raised from the dead.
There is a leader though who has and he's not running in the election. There is a leader who has done all that and he lived 2000 years ago. This leader did all these things and more. He even preached good news to the poor and meant it and they believed him and then, like all great leaders, he died. Jesus died but it didn't end there and this is important. The Apostle Paul says:
"Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the good news (gospel) I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this good news (gospel) you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...(1 Corinthians 15: 1-4)"
This is the most important part of the Christian faith: Paul says that it is because of the good news (gospel) that Christ died for our sins, was buried and raised from the dead that we can be saved. It was in this that He actually won the eternal election.
It is only because Jesus did win that election; it is only because of His death and resurrection that we have any hope at all because if Christ wasn't raised from the dead then what is the point of 'being a Christian'?
read more: http://www.sheepspeak.com/Michael_Ramsay_JAC.htm#Vote%20for%20Jesus
www.sheepspeak.com
Monday, May 11, 2009
Secularists force religion classes on students
Students suspended for skipping ethics and religion classes
By Joel Coppetiers Wednesday, May 6, 2009
GRANBY, QC—Parents who object to the controversial new religion and ethics course—now mandatory in all Quebec schools—are watching to see what the courts will decide in the cases of two families who have appealed for exemptions.
Quebec education department spokesperson Stéphanie Tremblay told the National Post in December that school boards across the province had already heard and rejected more than 1,400 requests for exemptions.
The religion and ethics course was introduced at all grade levels in Quebec schools last September with the intention of fostering greater openness in children to those of other faiths and cultures by introducing them to the basic tenets of the world's great religions.
But some Christians object to the overall tone of the curriculum that suggests spiritual truth is relative and that the claims of each religion cannot be debated or evaluated.
Some parents were also upset to find their children at home performing Islamic prayers and other religious practices introduced in class.
read more: http://www.christianweek.org/stories.php?id=531
By Joel Coppetiers Wednesday, May 6, 2009
GRANBY, QC—Parents who object to the controversial new religion and ethics course—now mandatory in all Quebec schools—are watching to see what the courts will decide in the cases of two families who have appealed for exemptions.
Quebec education department spokesperson Stéphanie Tremblay told the National Post in December that school boards across the province had already heard and rejected more than 1,400 requests for exemptions.
The religion and ethics course was introduced at all grade levels in Quebec schools last September with the intention of fostering greater openness in children to those of other faiths and cultures by introducing them to the basic tenets of the world's great religions.
But some Christians object to the overall tone of the curriculum that suggests spiritual truth is relative and that the claims of each religion cannot be debated or evaluated.
Some parents were also upset to find their children at home performing Islamic prayers and other religious practices introduced in class.
read more: http://www.christianweek.org/stories.php?id=531
Churches show love to gangs who terrorize them
"They're just people, too"
By Frank Stirk Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Christianweek News
VANCOUVER, BC—Ryan Cochran, the senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Vancouver, was working on his sermon when a man was shot dead on the street outside the church—another homicide in the gang violence sweeping Metro Vancouver.
The Bible passage Cochran was preparing to preach on was the Tower of Babel, a topic he says the shooting made more timely than ever.
"The whole point of my sermon was going to be that the people of Babel sought to construct a city that had no acknowledgement of God,"...
read more: http://www.christianweek.org/stories.php?id=530
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www.sheepspeak.com
By Frank Stirk Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Christianweek News
VANCOUVER, BC—Ryan Cochran, the senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Vancouver, was working on his sermon when a man was shot dead on the street outside the church—another homicide in the gang violence sweeping Metro Vancouver.
The Bible passage Cochran was preparing to preach on was the Tower of Babel, a topic he says the shooting made more timely than ever.
"The whole point of my sermon was going to be that the people of Babel sought to construct a city that had no acknowledgement of God,"...
read more: http://www.christianweek.org/stories.php?id=530
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www.sheepspeak.com
Saturday, May 09, 2009
EARLY DAY WAR CRYS ON LINE
Thirty years of the Canadian War Cry have now been archived in PDF format and are available for viewing and downloading. Complete issues for the years 1950 to 1963, and 1887 to 1890, as well as random issues from 1884 to 1949 are currently available. Gradually other issues will be added and made available as time permits.
Most issues are 'word' searchable. However, a number of issues have been scanned from our micro-films and are not 'word' searchable. These issues are readable and can be downloaded.
To access the War Crys go to: salvationist.ca and follow the links: 'About us.'- History'- 'War Cry Archives' and then click on the link: The War Cry Archives towards the bottom of the page. OR CLICK HERE: http://salvationist.ca/about-us/history/war-cry-archives/
Comments may be forwarded to heritage_centre@can.salvationarmy.org
Most issues are 'word' searchable. However, a number of issues have been scanned from our micro-films and are not 'word' searchable. These issues are readable and can be downloaded.
To access the War Crys go to: salvationist.ca and follow the links: 'About us.'- History'- 'War Cry Archives' and then click on the link: The War Cry Archives towards the bottom of the page. OR CLICK HERE: http://salvationist.ca/about-us/history/war-cry-archives/
Comments may be forwarded to heritage_centre@can.salvationarmy.org
Red Shield Garage Sale and BBQ
The event is going great here...it's a bit cold (it snowed yesterday) but it is a lot of fun and a lot of people are helping - it's great!
The Salvation Army Launches May Red Shield Campaign to Help Canadian Families Living in Poverty
Toronto, May 5, 2008 – The Salvation Army is launching the Red Shield Campaign, a fundraising appeal to raise money for programs and services available to the nearly 5 million Canadians living in poverty today.
“The month of May is a critical time for The Salvation Army,” said Graham D. Moore, Territorial Secretary for Public Relations and Development. “Many families across Canada live below the poverty line and the funds raised during this time will help sustain our programs as we continue to serve the marginalized in communities throughout the country”
With a goal of $3 million, money raised during the Red Shield Campaign will go directly to support a vast array of social programs available to Canadian families that includes food banks, practical assistance, shelter, addictions services and street youth outreach.
read more: http://www.salvationarmy.ca/2008/05/05/the-salvation-army-launches-may-red-shield-campaign-to-help-canadian-families-living-in-poverty/
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www.sheepspeak.com
The Salvation Army Launches May Red Shield Campaign to Help Canadian Families Living in Poverty
Toronto, May 5, 2008 – The Salvation Army is launching the Red Shield Campaign, a fundraising appeal to raise money for programs and services available to the nearly 5 million Canadians living in poverty today.
“The month of May is a critical time for The Salvation Army,” said Graham D. Moore, Territorial Secretary for Public Relations and Development. “Many families across Canada live below the poverty line and the funds raised during this time will help sustain our programs as we continue to serve the marginalized in communities throughout the country”
With a goal of $3 million, money raised during the Red Shield Campaign will go directly to support a vast array of social programs available to Canadian families that includes food banks, practical assistance, shelter, addictions services and street youth outreach.
read more: http://www.salvationarmy.ca/2008/05/05/the-salvation-army-launches-may-red-shield-campaign-to-help-canadian-families-living-in-poverty/
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www.sheepspeak.com
Friday, May 08, 2009
From Sojo: Should Christians be Bad for the Empire's Economy?
Are Christians Bad for an Empire's Economy? Should They Be? by Julie Clawson
Mike recently brought to my attention a letter written by Pliny the Younger to the Emperor Trajan written around 111 C.E. concerning persecution of Christians ... Pliny obviously was trying to figure out what to do with this strange bunch of heretics and was seeking advice from the Emperor as to how he should proceed in the persecutions. I found it interesting, from an egalitarian perspective, that when he wanted to find out more about these Christians, Pliny mentions capturing and torturing two slave girls who were deaconesses in the church.
+ Click to continue
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
Mike recently brought to my attention a letter written by Pliny the Younger to the Emperor Trajan written around 111 C.E. concerning persecution of Christians ... Pliny obviously was trying to figure out what to do with this strange bunch of heretics and was seeking advice from the Emperor as to how he should proceed in the persecutions. I found it interesting, from an egalitarian perspective, that when he wanted to find out more about these Christians, Pliny mentions capturing and torturing two slave girls who were deaconesses in the church.
+ Click to continue
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
From Sojo: Who Would Jesus Bomb?
The Two Futures Project: Who Would Jesus Bomb? by Shane Claiborne
In light of headlines that dozens of kids and families were killed in U.S. bombings of Afghanistan on Tuesday, this conversation seems as urgent as ever. God help us. It was a beautiful thing to join my friend and brotha Rob Bell, Baptist minister Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, former Secretary of State George Schultz, author and mega-church co-founder Lynne Hybels, and Southern Baptist leader Jonathan Merritt as we launched the Two Futures Project last week, an ambitious new initiative to abolish nuclear weapons.
+ Click to continue
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www.sheepspeak.com
In light of headlines that dozens of kids and families were killed in U.S. bombings of Afghanistan on Tuesday, this conversation seems as urgent as ever. God help us. It was a beautiful thing to join my friend and brotha Rob Bell, Baptist minister Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, former Secretary of State George Schultz, author and mega-church co-founder Lynne Hybels, and Southern Baptist leader Jonathan Merritt as we launched the Two Futures Project last week, an ambitious new initiative to abolish nuclear weapons.
+ Click to continue
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www.sheepspeak.com
Canucks coach loves the pressure
By Jim Coggins
www.canadianchristianity.com
Go Canucks!
"I LOVE the playoffs," Ryan Walter enthuses. "It's my favourite time of year."
Walter is in his first year as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks, the only Canadian team to survive the first round of this year's National Hockey League playoffs
....
Being a Christian in hockey has not been particularly difficult for Walter. He became a Christian in his early 20s and now works with Christian organizations such as Hockey Ministries International. Faith is also not usually an issue between Christian and non-Christian players. "If you bring your best to the job, you are accepted," he says. The more important issue, he adds, is living your faith on the job, "but that is also difficult for doctors and lawyers and people in any other job or profession."
...
One issue Walter had to come to grips with when he first became a Christian was violence in hockey. "You learn to figure it out," he says -- like a Christian going to war. "You try not to justify it." He adds, "The violence was much stronger when I was a player. It's quite well refereed now."
Walter agrees that Christians have not been as visible in hockey as in some other sports. There have been chapels for football, basketball and baseball teams for a long time... But Walter says more Christian influence is coming in hockey too. Almost all junior teams now have a chaplain, and a number of professional teams do too.
read more: http://www.canadianchristianity.com/nationalupdates/090507canucks.html
www.canadianchristianity.com
Go Canucks!
"I LOVE the playoffs," Ryan Walter enthuses. "It's my favourite time of year."
Walter is in his first year as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks, the only Canadian team to survive the first round of this year's National Hockey League playoffs
....
Being a Christian in hockey has not been particularly difficult for Walter. He became a Christian in his early 20s and now works with Christian organizations such as Hockey Ministries International. Faith is also not usually an issue between Christian and non-Christian players. "If you bring your best to the job, you are accepted," he says. The more important issue, he adds, is living your faith on the job, "but that is also difficult for doctors and lawyers and people in any other job or profession."
...
One issue Walter had to come to grips with when he first became a Christian was violence in hockey. "You learn to figure it out," he says -- like a Christian going to war. "You try not to justify it." He adds, "The violence was much stronger when I was a player. It's quite well refereed now."
Walter agrees that Christians have not been as visible in hockey as in some other sports. There have been chapels for football, basketball and baseball teams for a long time... But Walter says more Christian influence is coming in hockey too. Almost all junior teams now have a chaplain, and a number of professional teams do too.
read more: http://www.canadianchristianity.com/nationalupdates/090507canucks.html
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Are You Willing to Die for the Cause of Christ?
Exploring the essentials of spiritual leadership
April 23, 2009 by Commissioner William W. Francis
from: www.salvationist.ca
More Christians have been martyred for their faith in this past century than in all previous nineteen combined. According to the World Mission Digest, close to 100 million Christians have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of Christ in the 20th century.
The call to modern Christian leadership is an echo of the first century call. It is a call to suffer and die. By definition, spiritual leaders must be willing to pay a much greater price than that required of their corporate or political contemporaries.
read more: http://salvationist.ca/2009/04/are-you-willing-to-die-for-the-cause-of-christ/
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www.sheepspeak.com
April 23, 2009 by Commissioner William W. Francis
from: www.salvationist.ca
More Christians have been martyred for their faith in this past century than in all previous nineteen combined. According to the World Mission Digest, close to 100 million Christians have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of Christ in the 20th century.
The call to modern Christian leadership is an echo of the first century call. It is a call to suffer and die. By definition, spiritual leaders must be willing to pay a much greater price than that required of their corporate or political contemporaries.
read more: http://salvationist.ca/2009/04/are-you-willing-to-die-for-the-cause-of-christ/
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www.sheepspeak.com
Marriage, Covenant from JAC 56
Covenant and the marriage covenant.
...Think about the children whose parents rebelled against their marriage covenants with each other and before God[12] (Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10-14; Luke 16:16-16; Mark 10:1-12; Matthew 5:32, 19:9: You will note in these references that – even if one ‘goes out on a limb’ in order to argue that you no longer need to live with the one you with whom you are covenanted in marriage – there is still no NT provision made for marrying a second or subsequent spouse while the one you covenanted before God with is still alive.) One is not released from one’s covenants simply by disobedience to them. God takes all our covenants seriously. There are consequences for not walking in a proper covenant.
Some of the consequences for rebelling against the marriage covenant through divorce are immediate and some of the immediate consequences are the struggles of how to raise a child in two separate homes with two separate sets of rules. Some of the immediate consequences are the challenges involved in that fact that whatever the problem was that split up the marriage in the first place was obviously never resolved: mom or dad still moved out. Some of the immediate consequences of disregarded marriage covenants are that children from broken homes are more likely to be ‘latch-key kids’ and less likely to have access to all the material and emotional support that their peers do. Some of the immediate consequences include the possibility that, at best, one may only ever get a good night kiss from one of their single parents.
But there is more than that in our world today; there are consequences for future generations as well. Many people who get divorced once wind up getting divorced twice or even thrice.[13] Children of divorce are more likely to be divorced themselves[14] and perpetuate the devastating cycle that contributes to generations and generations and generations going without the emotional, spiritual, and other support that only comes from strong marriage covenants.
This is sad because there is a great benefit from continuing in a strong covenant relationship but when we stray from it there are often devastating results. As one continues to read through the book of Judges, it becomes obvious that much misery comes as a direct result of the Israelites’ disobedience to their covenant with the Lord. There are consequences for not walking in proper covenants.
read more: http://www.armybarmy.com/JAC/article10-56.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
...Think about the children whose parents rebelled against their marriage covenants with each other and before God[12] (Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10-14; Luke 16:16-16; Mark 10:1-12; Matthew 5:32, 19:9: You will note in these references that – even if one ‘goes out on a limb’ in order to argue that you no longer need to live with the one you with whom you are covenanted in marriage – there is still no NT provision made for marrying a second or subsequent spouse while the one you covenanted before God with is still alive.) One is not released from one’s covenants simply by disobedience to them. God takes all our covenants seriously. There are consequences for not walking in a proper covenant.
Some of the consequences for rebelling against the marriage covenant through divorce are immediate and some of the immediate consequences are the struggles of how to raise a child in two separate homes with two separate sets of rules. Some of the immediate consequences are the challenges involved in that fact that whatever the problem was that split up the marriage in the first place was obviously never resolved: mom or dad still moved out. Some of the immediate consequences of disregarded marriage covenants are that children from broken homes are more likely to be ‘latch-key kids’ and less likely to have access to all the material and emotional support that their peers do. Some of the immediate consequences include the possibility that, at best, one may only ever get a good night kiss from one of their single parents.
But there is more than that in our world today; there are consequences for future generations as well. Many people who get divorced once wind up getting divorced twice or even thrice.[13] Children of divorce are more likely to be divorced themselves[14] and perpetuate the devastating cycle that contributes to generations and generations and generations going without the emotional, spiritual, and other support that only comes from strong marriage covenants.
This is sad because there is a great benefit from continuing in a strong covenant relationship but when we stray from it there are often devastating results. As one continues to read through the book of Judges, it becomes obvious that much misery comes as a direct result of the Israelites’ disobedience to their covenant with the Lord. There are consequences for not walking in proper covenants.
read more: http://www.armybarmy.com/JAC/article10-56.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
God did it!
Prayers, hymn helped me survive on ice floe, rescued sealer says
Last Updated: Thursday, May 7, 2009 8:40 AM NT
CBC News
A fisherman who survived two nights in frigid temperatures on a pan of ice off northern Newfoundland said Wednesday he repeatedly sang a church hymn while he waited for rescue.
"Most I done was pray," said Rex Saunders, 66, who was found on Wednesday morning on an ice pan near where his small boat had sunk, not far from his home of St. Lunaire-Griquet, on Newfoundland's Northern Peninsula.
read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/05/07/sealer-rescue-507.html#articlecomments
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www.sheepspeak.com
Last Updated: Thursday, May 7, 2009 8:40 AM NT
CBC News
A fisherman who survived two nights in frigid temperatures on a pan of ice off northern Newfoundland said Wednesday he repeatedly sang a church hymn while he waited for rescue.
"Most I done was pray," said Rex Saunders, 66, who was found on Wednesday morning on an ice pan near where his small boat had sunk, not far from his home of St. Lunaire-Griquet, on Newfoundland's Northern Peninsula.
read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/05/07/sealer-rescue-507.html#articlecomments
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www.sheepspeak.com
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
DR WAS (May 7)
DR WAS (May 6)
2 Samuel 11-12 and Psalm 51 and Matthew 23
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more rations: http://drwas.blogspot.com/
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www.sheepspeak.com
---more rations: http://drwas.blogspot.com/
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www.sheepspeak.com
Monday, May 04, 2009
Mark 13:32-37: Hope for a Happy New Year!
Presented to each the Nipawin and Tisdale Corps 30 November 2008
by Captain Michael Ramsay
Happy New Year! Does anyone know why I would wish you a happy New Year today? Today is the beginning of Advent. In traditional liturgical churches, advent is the beginning of the church year where we celebrate the first coming of Christ and celebrate the hope that is in his anticipated return. Now often at New Year there are all kinds of year-end quizzes; so I thought that I would put a little tongue-in-cheek quiz together for us based on our text today.
What do these dates have in common: 8:00 AM October 19, 1533; April 5, 1534; March 21 and October 22, 1844; Sept. 10, 1979; Dec. 31, 1981; Sept 11 -13, 1988; March 31, 1991; October 20, 1997; December 12, 2012?
A: They are various people’s predictions for the end of world date.
What do these people have in common: Nero, the Pope, Mikhail Gorbachev, Prince Charles, the US President (elect), David Hasselhoff?[1]
A. They were/ are various people’s predictions for the arch-anti-Christ.
Now this next question is a good one. It is a riddle –you’ll have to pay attention. Someone has figured out a way to ‘out’ the beast of Revelation and solve the riddle of ‘666’ – let’s see together of we can solve the riddle and figure out who is the beast of John’s Apocalypse?
Given that 666 is the number of the Beast, First we must break that number down into its component parts in such away that when we add them back together, they will total 666.
I’ll give you this part: 100. 5. 5. 50. 500 .1 .5
Let’s do the math to prove we are right: so we have 100 + 5 =105 + 5 = 110 + 50 = 160+500=660+5+1= 666
So then mathematically proving as we did that these are the component parts of the number of the beast, we will need to translate them into Roman numerals as that was what they wrote with back then: So, does anyone know the symbol for 100 = C5 = V5 = V50 = L500 = D1 = I5 = VCV VL DIV
Now if we expand this using new web-based lettering for reassembling fragmented texts, we get the following: CVT PVRPL DINSVR
Accounting for the fact that Roman lettering had no U and used a V instead and adding the missing vowels, we find out from this the one that the number points to as the beast…it is…
A CUTE PURPLE DINOSAUR; and we all know who the cute purple dinosaur who is leading children astray… Barney the dinosaur! “I love you; you love me!’
This tongue-in-cheek mathematical proof was published in Science Askew in 2001. (see appendix 1)
This is silly right…we all know that an imaginary purple dinosaur is not the Anti-Christ…anymore than David Hasselhoff or the mayor of Tisdale, or whomever.
About the end of times too, our text today (Mark 13:24-37) says clearly in verses 32 and 33: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come….”
The question is then instead of just hoping and getting ready for Christ’s return, why do so many people waste our time with this end-of-time stuff?
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Amos 3:2: ...Therefore I Will Punish You
Presented to each the Nipawin and Tisdale Corps 09 November 2008
by Captain Michael Ramsay
2 Corinthians 13:5-7: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are living by faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ is in you? – unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test. I hope that you will find that you will not fail.”
Reading this made me realize that we have not had a test in a while – so in the spirit of Disneyworld from where we have just returned I have a little riddle for you.
Showing pictures of Captain Hook and other Pirates to the congregation, one asks: If you saw a ship like this with a crew of men with hooks for hands, pegs for legs, and patches over their eyes ....What do you think would be on their flag?
Artificial legs, hands, and missing eyes…
by Captain Michael Ramsay
2 Corinthians 13:5-7: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are living by faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ is in you? – unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test. I hope that you will find that you will not fail.”
Reading this made me realize that we have not had a test in a while – so in the spirit of Disneyworld from where we have just returned I have a little riddle for you.
Showing pictures of Captain Hook and other Pirates to the congregation, one asks: If you saw a ship like this with a crew of men with hooks for hands, pegs for legs, and patches over their eyes ....What do you think would be on their flag?
Artificial legs, hands, and missing eyes…
Artificial legs, hands, and missing eyes…
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2008/11/amos-32-therefore-i-will-punish-you.html
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Saturday, May 02, 2009
John 15:1-17 : “Remain in Me and Bear Fruit”
Presented to Nipawin Corps, 1 February 2009, Presented to Weetamah Corps and Stony Mountain Penitentiary, March 2007 By Captain Michael Ramsay
I remember when I was in Training College – The Salvation Army equivalent to (or at least our closest approximation to a) seminary – a number of the fellows joined a Salvation Army hockey team that played in the city league in Winnipeg and one day something really exciting happened:
We won a game. One game. Really. We actually won a game. It was the second to last game of the season and we actually won one whole game. I can tell you that there was celebration that night. The game ended past midnight and people could actually hear phones ringing in the residences – particularly at the houses of the guys who weren’t at the game that night. The season was almost over and we finally won our first game. We only won one game but it felt as if we won the playoffs.
I say ‘us.’ I never went anywhere near the arena. Growing up in a place that never really gets any snow, let alone ice. I never did learn how to skate – led alone play ice hockey. I wasn’t on the team but you know how it is? Like when the Roughriders won the Grey Cup the other year, we all like to celebrate successes of ‘our teams.’ And the next day after our team’s victory, every one of us in our class was celebrating with the players as they told their stories.
We back our teams. We stick together. Some people at the College (not me!) even headed out to watch a lot of the late night games. They were our team. They are our friends and we are apart of them. When they win, we win. We stick with them. And they stuck with their hockey right from the beginning and in the end it produced fruit: they won; we won.
In the chapter we read from earlier, John 15, Jesus tells us a parable about staying with Him and producing fruit. He does it in an interesting way too.[1] He speaks about a vine.
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
I remember when I was in Training College – The Salvation Army equivalent to (or at least our closest approximation to a) seminary – a number of the fellows joined a Salvation Army hockey team that played in the city league in Winnipeg and one day something really exciting happened:
We won a game. One game. Really. We actually won a game. It was the second to last game of the season and we actually won one whole game. I can tell you that there was celebration that night. The game ended past midnight and people could actually hear phones ringing in the residences – particularly at the houses of the guys who weren’t at the game that night. The season was almost over and we finally won our first game. We only won one game but it felt as if we won the playoffs.
I say ‘us.’ I never went anywhere near the arena. Growing up in a place that never really gets any snow, let alone ice. I never did learn how to skate – led alone play ice hockey. I wasn’t on the team but you know how it is? Like when the Roughriders won the Grey Cup the other year, we all like to celebrate successes of ‘our teams.’ And the next day after our team’s victory, every one of us in our class was celebrating with the players as they told their stories.
We back our teams. We stick together. Some people at the College (not me!) even headed out to watch a lot of the late night games. They were our team. They are our friends and we are apart of them. When they win, we win. We stick with them. And they stuck with their hockey right from the beginning and in the end it produced fruit: they won; we won.
In the chapter we read from earlier, John 15, Jesus tells us a parable about staying with Him and producing fruit. He does it in an interesting way too.[1] He speaks about a vine.
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
Friday, May 01, 2009
Mark 10:46-52: Open Our Eyes Lord
To be presented to the Nipawin Corps 03 May 2009
by Captain Michael Ramsay
Captain Holland, Stephen, my friend from Nova Scotia has a story:
Stephen and his wife Karen are posted to Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. It is a small community, not unlike our own and one day a new lady (named Karen) came to town and called up Stephen’s wife, Karen, and said that she would like to come to church. Well when she got there – Stephen told me – he asked the new lady her name. She said ‘Karen’
‘Karen, that’s my wife’s name,’ said Stephen, ‘Karen, that should be easy to remember.’ So he welcomes her, invites her to have a seat and then goes over to one of the other ladies in the church and asks her to go and introduce herself to the new lady.
‘What’s her name?’ she asks.
‘Debbie’, Stephen answers.It appears that I am not the only one bad with names.
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/05/mark-1046-52-open-our-eyes-lord-we-want.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
by Captain Michael Ramsay
Captain Holland, Stephen, my friend from Nova Scotia has a story:
Stephen and his wife Karen are posted to Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. It is a small community, not unlike our own and one day a new lady (named Karen) came to town and called up Stephen’s wife, Karen, and said that she would like to come to church. Well when she got there – Stephen told me – he asked the new lady her name. She said ‘Karen’
‘Karen, that’s my wife’s name,’ said Stephen, ‘Karen, that should be easy to remember.’ So he welcomes her, invites her to have a seat and then goes over to one of the other ladies in the church and asks her to go and introduce herself to the new lady.
‘What’s her name?’ she asks.
‘Debbie’, Stephen answers.It appears that I am not the only one bad with names.
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/05/mark-1046-52-open-our-eyes-lord-we-want.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
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