We're up and going at CFOT...

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

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

Daily Rations

To our subscribers, I apologise.

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

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

Sincerely,

Michael Ramsay

Gambler

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

Re:dedicated

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

Dedicated to God

Just a thought...

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

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

Michael.

Bad Lands

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

Opportunity?

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

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

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

Just one of a million thoughts...

Pre-incarnate?

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

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

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

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

Billboard in Edmonton

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