Updates from the Front Line

Learning to Live

2008-02-08T11:54:00.001+10:00

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind."

What do you choose?

My Utmost for His Highest - Dec 15

2007-12-16T21:55:00.000+10:00

This entry really struck me yesterday:

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth —2 Timothy 2:15

If you cannot express yourself well on each of your beliefs, work and study until you can. If you don’t, other people may miss out on the blessings that come from knowing the truth. Strive to re-express a truth of God to yourself clearly and understandably, and God will use that same explanation when you share it with someone else. But you must be willing to go through God’s winepress where the grapes are crushed. You must struggle, experiment, and rehearse your words to express God’s truth clearly. Then the time will come when that very expression will become God’s wine of strength to someone else. But if you are not diligent and say, "I’m not going to study and struggle to express this truth in my own words; I’ll just borrow my words from someone else," then the words will be of no value to you or to others. Try to state to yourself what you believe to be the absolute truth of God, and you will be allowing God the opportunity to pass it on through you to someone else.

Always make it a practice to stir your own mind thoroughly to think through what you have easily believed. Your position is not really yours until you make it yours through suffering and study. The author or speaker from whom you learn the most is not the one who teaches you something you didn’t know before, but the one who helps you take a truth with which you have quietly struggled, give it expression, and speak it clearly and boldly.

Who Shall Love the Lovers?

2007-10-23T00:58:00.001+10:00

Come on an imagination trip with me. I'll keep it short, I know you're probably busy.

Imagine that all day, every day, you make food and serve it to the hungry. It's your purpose in life, your mission, your ministry. Every morning, you get up and bake bread rolls and croissants for people's breakfast. Once you're finished serving up those, you start making sandwiches for lunch. When the lunch rush is over, it's time to start preparing dinner - a few choices so that everyone can find something to their taste.

People depend upon you. Some even appreciate your service. You drag yourself home at the end of the day knowing that you've really helped some people, that they're fed and content. Good job!

Of course, this all takes a lot of time. You don't have time for regular meals, and your usual evening snack before bed is a chocolate bar or packet of chips. Simple, easy, and satisfying enough.

Back to reality.

There's a good chance you read that scenario and thought, "How silly! I'd end up starving and malnourished in no time - and a lot of good that'd do the hungry. How does it help to feed the hungry and starve myself?"

There's a good chance that if you're in any sort of ministry, you've felt as though taking a break in order to spiritually recharge as a sign of weakness. A good christian is constantly refilled with the Holy Spirit, right? Spiritual retreats are for the servants who're losing touch and losing the plot.

After sending them off, he climbed a mountain to pray.
Late at night, the boat was far out at sea; Jesus was still by himself on land.
Mark 6:46-47

Jesus took spiritual retreats. He 'neglected' his ministry to do so. Tell him he was weak. Go on, I dare you!

Being in top spiritual health is the absolute best thing you can do for your ministry, whatever it is. And if that means you need to take a break and let God refresh you - so be it.

What's Going On?

2007-10-19T22:11:00.000+10:00

I've just had heart surgery - yay!

I'm working on the changes. Honest :-)

New Aussie Salvo Blogger

2007-09-05T11:05:00.000+10:00

Check it out:

Passionate Salvo - Rob Casburn

Are We Fearful?

2007-09-04T12:07:00.000+10:00

I started up Winamp this morning, and this song started up -

Don't Be Afraid (listen to mp3)

Fearful – we’re fearful of others.
Fearful of contact with people –
unless they’re just like us.
Fearful – we’re fearful of difference.
Fearful of conflict with strangers –
who ain’t the same as us.
(But) God’s embrace is great.
His amazing grace never fails to save.
God’s love conquers hate -
So don’t be afraid.

Fearful – we’re fearful of changes.
Fearful of fighting –
fearful of winning –
fearful of loss.
Fearful – we’re fearful of dangers.
Fearful of following a leader –
who died on a cross.
(But) God’s embrace is great.
His amazing grace never fails to save.
God’s love conquers hate -
So don’t be afraid.

Yup, it's another Dave Andrews song. It reminded me of a bible verse that resonates with me every time my scaredy-cat side makes an appearance...

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear
1 John 4:18a

Now I need to point out (because I've been hassling people for this recently) that I'm taking this verse somewhat out of context. In John's letter, the subject is fear of being punished by God. But I think that when we act in love towards people - strive to understand them, see them not as 'other' but as people who are really just like us where it counts - then we lose our fear of them.

New Direction?

2007-09-04T12:04:00.001+10:00

You may have gotten the impression that the 'changes' I was talking about must already be in place, since I've been posting stuff regularly.

Well... I'm not sure. I've been trying to follow God's leading, and he seems to be particularly pointing out things that I should post, so I have been.

Where do I think this is going? Well, I suspect into more of an 'equipping people to help others' sort of direction, rather than just talking about what's already happening. Does that make sense?

Every Day Deserves a Chance

2007-09-03T14:51:00.000+10:00

Sermon by Max Lucado

A Little Parable...

2007-09-02T13:36:00.001+10:00

Edges and Whispers, by Max Lucado.

Or, as I like to call it, The Little Candles That Wouldn't!

Living Out The Dream

2007-09-01T13:53:00.000+10:00

Danielle Strickland on 'Living Out the Dream'

Hey-Hey You Say

2007-08-28T11:48:00.000+10:00

Another song from Dave Andrews!

Listen to the song (mp3 format)

Hey-hey we say, that ‘You are my God!’
Hey-hey we say, ‘My God, you’re good!’
Hey-hey we say, ‘I’m prayin’ for the day
I can live life like I should.’

Hey-hey you say, ‘Let’s end the war!’
Hey-hey you say, ‘Let’s feed the poor!’
Hey-hey you say, ‘Let’s make a start today
to live a life worth living for.’

‘May your kindom come –
with love for everyone -
on earth, as it is in heaven!’
‘May your will be done –
all our evil overcome -
on earth, as it is in heaven!’

Repeat

Hey-hey you say, ‘Let’s end the war!’
Hey-hey you say, ‘Let’s feed the poor!’

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2007-08-23T18:27:00.000+10:00

StreetWar is due for a major overhaul.

Watch this space... changes will (hopefully) be occurring within the next month.

The Faces of Chaos

2006-11-17T03:04:00.000+10:00

On Tuesday night, my husband and I were apart of a small group who took the opportunity to run a kids program for a local multicultural centre while they held a community meeting. The building the centre is in used to be a Salvation Army church. Unfortunately it is no longer (for reasons I do not know).

We cared for a little less than twenty kids, who were rambunxious to say the least. About 80% of them didn't speak english. Some belonged to parents who were attending the meeting; the rest were children who came in off the streets, because their parents had left them for the evening. They had no place to go, and no one to watch them. These kids ranged in age from 1-12. They were the faces of chaos - the faces that are left alone to figure out what it means to live in this world. Unfortunately they're learning a rather unhealthy perspective. It broke my heart!

They need to be loved, and they need to be given a chance. Not everyone has the chance to participate in a venue like this, but I was blessed to be with kids who were wild, screaming, not always well-behaved, but that needed love.

"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." - Matthew 18:10

On the Side of Angels

2006-11-16T11:29:00.001+10:00

No, not the Leanne Rimes song!

Ever read this book?

Apparently it's about to be re-released in Australia.

It's the story of a young, strait-laced preacher who God called to one of the least strait-laced groups in Australia - the bikers. Just like Frederick Booth-Tucker before him, he ditched the superficial parts of his church culture and took on the culture - but not the values - of the people to whom God called him. He didn't like it. He didn't enjoy it. It was a rough road full of eye-openings and challenges to his pre-conceptions and beliefs.

John Smith

Frederick Booth-Tucker

Article about John Smith
About the book

Just in case you didn't click - I highly recommend this book. It was part of the heart-shaping process God used to bring me to the Salvation Army... and has influenced my christian walk significantly. It taught me that you don't need to be 'rough' to get along with people who're classed as social outcasts - all you need to do is care.

yawn

2006-10-02T15:15:00.000+10:00

I spent at least 5 hours over the last few days, combing through various Salvation Army resources, looking for something that would make me think, "WOW! That's awesome! I've gotta make sure people know about that!"

Nada.

Zip.

Zilch.

All I achieved were a few yawns.

It's entirely possible that it's me. Cynicism and pessimism winning over faith in God. Maybe I just had a bad search week. Maybe I found the good stuff last week and the week before, and it's made the rest pale in comparison. Maybe there are a number of Salvationists out there who're way too busy doing the work of God to report on it (that's my suspicion). I'd hate to think the Salvos were just plain boring.

Urban Army (no, not Gordon's blog!)

2006-09-27T12:13:00.000+10:00

I just came across this article - Urban Army, by Major Grant Sandercock-Brown. Here are some quotes that really hit home to me:

I have said to myself too many times, ‘after all, the comfortable middle class needs saving as well’. It’s much easier for me to hang out with people like me.

The Salvation Army makes little sense in the suburbs; we make perfect sense in the heart of the city.

(Although I'd argue that in Australia, the 'suburbs' are where a lot of the poorer, 'lower'-class people live)

...we become a comfortable Christian club where Jesus and William (in either order) were our founders and we meet together to enjoy some of the activities (particularly musical) they started.

“They dine with the rich and preach to the poor. Until they are more willing to dine with the poor and preach to the rich its [the church’s] popular influence will be limited.”

As I wrote (well, mostly cut and pasted!) the above, I finally noticed what's playing in my ears...

End - your dreamworld is just about to end
Fall - your dreamworld is just about to fall
Your dreamworld will fall

Hmmmm... prophetic word through Midnight Oil? Stranger things have happened, I guess!

Socks and Jocks

2006-09-26T09:00:00.000+10:00

A new program is showing love and building relationships via the most common of men's gifts - new socks and underwear.

See Page 3 of On The Scene for the full story.

What's Happening in Zimbabwe?

2006-09-25T15:43:00.000+10:00

Check out John and Rochelle's blog.

International Call to Prayer

2006-09-22T14:54:00.000+10:00

Find Resources

Aussie Salvo Initiative - StreetRadio

2006-09-21T13:34:00.000+10:00

Oh man... I can't believe that this has been going for 3 years now. I feel SO out of the loop :-)

Check it out - StreetRadio, streamed over the net from Oasis Youth Support Network, Sydney.

Tips for Impromptu Street Ministry

2006-09-21T11:03:00.000+10:00

Over here in Australia, we have 'I'll fight' t-shirts. They have a big SA shield on the front, and the 'I'll fight' speech/poem on the back. Out of all the ministry tools and resources I've seen, these are probably the most surprising and effective (for me). I've had a number of people stop me on the street, either because they see the shield and class me as a 'safe' person (mostly older folk) or because they want to read the back of the shirt.

Anyway, these shirts have helped open my eyes to the possibilities of impromptu street ministry - striking up a conversation with a complete stranger, and slowly building a friendship through 'chance' meetings (are they pure chance? Don't know). Or maybe just having a short conversation that leaves the person with a slightly better opinion of christians than they had previously. I'm not just talking from theory here... since moving to our current neighbourhood, I've made a number of acquaintances and friends, most of whom I've talked at least (very) briefly about christianity, church and/or the salvation army.

I've been thinking about the requirements for someone to get involved in this sort of thing. Don't get the impression I've got it all down pat. I frequently have bad moods, feel tired, don't want to socialise, etc. So hopefully this will help me as much as it helps anyone else. I'll be asking for contributions, too!

So here's my list:

An ability or willingness to (try to) see people as God sees them... as precious children whom he loves so much that he'd die for them. Even if they're old, stinky and look like they'd mug you if you looked at them wrong (or at all).
The realisation that what you're currently doing is probably nowhere near as important as you think it is.
An interest in and curiousity about the strangers all around.
The confidence to meet people's gaze.
Sufficient joy to smile at a stranger and mean it.
A willingness to cut through standard stranger-to-stranger routines with a bit of honesty or real caring - like showing a quick amount of honest interest in a checkout staff person's response to "How are you?".
An openness to God's leading when he says, "Go there" or "Say this". <--- I suspect that this, while being a very important thing to learn, is something that comes long after a person starts ministry. I don't think it's a prerequisite.
An interest in hearing someone else's opinions and beliefs... and the ability to listen without immediately attempting to prove them wrong or tell them your own beliefs.

What do you think? What have I missed? What have I gotten wrong? What have you found useful?

The simple things are sometimes the most appreciated.

2006-08-18T05:14:00.000+10:00

I am currently in Colorado for 3 weeks on a training course, and it has been an amazing journey thus far. Last Sunday my husband and I had the chance to go to a Salvation Army inner-city church in Colorado Springs, and we were touched by the hearts of the pastors for children. The previous day, they had taken 86 children and 90 volunteers from the community to a local department store to purchase school supplies. The money had been donated from the store, and these children, who come from foster homes, or homes without much money, were able to get everything they needed for school - clothes, shoes, binders, pens, pencils, paper...you name it. It was just such a blessing to see that God was working in the hearts of all those in the community to provide for these children. God is good!

StreetWar Contributors still wanted

2006-07-28T16:37:00.000+10:00

If you're a Salvo, and you can pass on news about what's happening on the 'front lines' in your town, area or country, I'd love to hear from you. As regular visitors might have gathered, I'm not able to update as much as I'd like lately - but I don't want to see StreetWar go down the tube.

It doesn't matter if your writing style is bad (email reports to me for a cleanup if you're that worried). It doesn't matter if no-one seems to care about your little neck of the woods. Maybe there's nothing going on, and you're concerned about that. Fine - ask for prayer and support from others involved in the fight.

SA Goes Official in Poland

2006-07-27T14:36:00.000+10:00

THE Salvation Army has been officially registered as a church in Poland. It was added to the country's register of churches on 21 June and official confirmation of this step was given by the authorities on 12 July. The recognition followed a long and often difficult process which threatened The Salvation Army's future work in Poland.
Salvation Army International News

All Quiet on the Aussie Front...

2006-06-29T12:12:00.000+10:00

You all might've noticed that StreetWar has gone rather quiet recently. That's my fault. But I pass a little of the blame to God (shades of Adam, eh?), because He's turned my life upside down recently. You might know, if you're darn good at remembering these things, that I had a miscarriage a couple of years ago. After that... nothing. No sign that my (or hubby's!) reproductive system was working the way you'd expect. Hmmmmmm. But I wasn't too worried, because God told me "Not this year". OK. So we got to my second birthday after the miscarriage, which also happened to be the date that the miscarried pregnancy would've been due (make sense?). I wasn't really looking forward to it - I'm not one for remembering sad anniversaries, but that one's hard to miss! The morning after, I got a positive pregnancy test. A few hours later, bleeding - and an early miscarriage. Oh, man! I did a fair bit of praying, because I had NO idea what on earth it was all about. Seemed strange - not cruel, just weird. I spent a lot of time asking God what He was doing - and whether He'd mind explaining. Four weeks after the latest miscarriage, I was walking past the local Chinese shop and wanted to barf. Huh? You guessed it - pregnant again. And still pregnant (9 weeks today!). So I'm sick half the time, tired almost all the time, and still managed to land a new job. Where they know I'm pregnant, and offered me a 4 days/wk job at slightly higher pay than I'm getting at the moment. Bonus! God's care or what??

Anyway, all that is explanation of why I've been slack on StreetWar. Here's what's been happening in my little neck of the woods - a prayer-in-the-park has been started up. Our mate who sells the Big Issue has turned up twice more at church - once because he really needed to talk, once after the service to see if he could sell any magazines. I'm stoked that the people at church, while struggling with how to relate to him, have really made a big effort to say hello and make him feel welcome. It can be tough when you're chucked out of your comfort zone and don't know how to react to someone. The prayer tent? Still in its concept stage. Sigh.

The Open Air

2006-06-15T01:53:00.000+10:00

If anything is more needed than "getting the world out of the church," it is "getting the church out into the world." Too long we have been content to carry on our services under the illusion that people are supposed to come to us.

Jesus came "to seek and save the lost." And as the father send Him into the world, so He sends us. Our orders are to go - to go out into the highways and market places of life - tog go into the devil's own territory and to press there the claims of Christ. We are not called to hold the fort, but to storm the heights.

The open-air meeting is one way of taking the offensive. Yet in most places today the thrill and fruitfulness of this method needs to be rediscovered by the church.

----------

These are the words from an old Salvation Army pamphlet I just recently came across. A book on you guessed it: "Rediscovering the Open Air Meeting" It might be originally from 1953, but it has so much relevance for us today. And it goes so well with what I preached on this past Sunday.

My last open air included a free BBQ, an 'emo' rock band, and timed to happen just as high school was getting out. Looking forward to doing many more in the year to come.

Peter
www.lublink.ca

Inner City vs Suburbia

2006-05-19T14:30:00.000+10:00

I've been pondering the whole 'inner city' Salvation Army thing recently. And I've decided that maybe I've gone as far as I can go by myself... maybe I need some input! So I'm adding this post to StreetWar instead of my personal blog. Partly because this blog gets more traffic... and partly because I think it's a worldwide issue.

Perhaps Australia is unique. But over the years, our 'dodgy suburbs' are becoming - more and more - 'yuppy suburbs'. While they still contain a number of homeless people, drug addicts, etc... the people who we'd class as 'disadvantaged' (ie. having incredibly difficult lives, high family violence rates, kids classed as 'high risk')? They're out in the suburbs. Here in Brisbane we have a particular grouping of 3-4 suburbs a way out of the city where no-one in their right mind tries to live. Only those with no money to live elsewhere get stuck there. I'd be far happier wandering the inner-city streets at night than those suburbs. So I'm wondering... if I join the current SA trend and try to move into the inner-city... am I moving AWAY from where God's heart really is?

Indiana, USA

2006-05-19T09:59:00.000+10:00

A couple of weeks ago I headed down to Indianapolis, IN with Peter (my fiancee and fellow Streetwar blogger) to hang out with some friends, but also to work with the youth from their corps. It was a blessed weekend!

The corps is in a downtown urban area, and there is often a lot of people who wander in looking for bread, and things of that nature. Some of the kids are from pretty difficult homes, and have nowhere to turn, but the church. One girl was punished by her parents by stripping her of her rights to attend church (they themselves don't attend). It's unfortunate when "church" is a commodity, and taken away from kids when they're in trouble. It's sad, because it's the only thing guiding her on the right path in life!

All of these kids are completely hooked on the 'net (like many teenagers are!), and it was good to talk to them about their presence online. One thing we tried to impress upon them was the fact that the internet is now their community...it's their neighbourhood. Kids aren't readily hanging out in the streets playing hockey, or going to the corner store to hang out (although those things do happen). They're sitting in front of their computers, making themselves vulnerable to people in a whole different way.

I think their eyes were opened, and it was good to see them thinking about who they are, how they want to be portrayed online, and how that affects their lives. God is doing wonderful things in Indiana! Keep them in your prayers.

New Blog

2006-05-16T10:38:00.000+10:00

Check out one of the newest additions to the Salvation Army blogworld - Shika Mkono. It's about Human Rights violations worldwide... and what we can do about it. I think God might just do some great stuff through this blog.

Hop on over and give a blog-newbie some encouragement!

Not For Me

2006-04-27T11:34:00.000+10:00

As you might have noticed, I was right - I didn't have much time to update Street War over the last couple of weeks!

Here's an interesting song for all you musically-inclined people - it's called Not For Me, written and sung by Dave Andrews. Used by general permission.

If you like the song, it and others are available for download on Dave's website.

Not For Me

Down(ish) Time

2006-03-30T09:35:00.000+10:00

Street War might be rather quiet for a couple of weeks. I have a lot of work, plus interviews, meetings with various Salvos, church stuff... I'm tired just thinking about it. So, apologies if you find it rather boring for a while!

Sex Workers --> Fair Trade Textiles in Bangladesh

2006-03-24T16:48:00.000+10:00

During the first graduation ceremony at the training centre of The Salvation Army’s knitting factory in Savar, Bangladesh, there were lots of smiles and tears.

Twenty women had completed their course and were ready for employment. Textiles are Bangladesh’s main foreign export earner. The women who received their certificates should be able to earn a living.

The group of women were dressed in their most colourful saris. Their hair was neat. Bangles and earrings completed the picture. Prior to this they were sex workers in the horrid brothels or on the narrow and crowded streets of Old Dhaka.

Full Article

Cyclone Relief in Innisfail, Australia

2006-03-24T11:30:00.000+10:00

See the Courier Mail Photo Gallery.

WHILE cash donations continue to flow in to Cyclone Larry-affected areas, charities are preparing their own convoys of trucks to deliver essential items.

The Salvation Army is spearheading the drive to collect in-kind donations, particularly for bedding and personal items.

Major Bruce Harmer said up to eight trucks would leave from Townsville this morning for Innisfail laden with beds, bedding, white goods and other items.

"People have been sleeping on the floor in the wet and these will be much-needed items," Major Harmer said.

"The whole community has been very generous."

Article - Courier Mail

Night Watch - Greensboro, USA

2006-03-23T11:25:00.000+10:00

This is an old article, but Night Watch is still running - visit a volunteer's blog for more up-to-date info.

They apologize for waking him at midnight, but the man cordially welcomes them. He had been asleep on a concrete ledge under the Gorrell Street bridge over Murrow Boulevard -- naked except for a garment he tossed across his midsection when he heard them shout:

"Hello! Salvation Army! Got water, food!"

James Davis sips hot soup that Mark Scott and Murray Preston bring to him. He tells them he has been under the bridge three months. He says he works as a day laborer but cannot afford rent on $6.50 an hour. And he can't live at his sister's house, he adds, because of run-ins with her husband.

Full Article - News-Record.com

the lucky ones

2006-03-22T22:21:00.000+10:00

It needs to be said that, after reading many of the posts below, from contributors around the world, I am not where many of you are. I am living and working in a refugee community in North London. There are 350 languages spoken in this community, 250 of which are spoken in our local schools. Gangs, drugs, and prostitutions are all things that we deal with on a daily basis. Our local secondary school is one of the roughest in the nation. We are surrounded by projects (government assisted housing). We are surrounded by violence. We’ve witnessed six violent crimes, in the past two years, right in front of our house. We have a large Muslim population here, along with Hindus and Buddhists. I could go on and on. But here’s the thing. The people in this community are the lucky ones. They’re the ones who made it out of many of the communities talked about below. In fact, for many of them, they’re the family member who is working their tail off in London, trying to support family back home in Africa. So, no matter what I share on this site over the coming years, please know that I am aware that I’m working with the lucky ones. And please know that I am aware that I am not working in a third world country but one that comes with all of the rights and privileges that wealth and democracy brings. God bless those of you living and working in much tougher situations than I. And God bless the people you’re working with.

Glory in the City

2006-03-22T09:39:00.000+10:00

Check out this video from 614 Regents Park - Glory in the City.

Welcome to New Team Member

2006-03-22T09:07:00.000+10:00

Welcome to our latest Street War contributor Tim Miller, from Tottenham UK!

Salvation Army news sites/pages?

2006-03-21T14:27:00.000+10:00

Can anyone direct me to (regularly updated) SA news sites? I'm really struggling to find out what the SA is doing anywhere but Australia, USA, Canada and Britain. And even then, it's usually only the standard things that we've been doing for decades (no offense, a lot of those things are GOOD things to be doing)... stuff like wandering the streets handing out sandwiches, for example, get consigned to internet oblivion. Unless you know where to look... and I obviously don't!

Mpho's Diary - South Africa

2006-03-21T14:14:00.000+10:00

This is the online journal of Rachel, one of the Project 1:8 team who are currently in South Africa. Definitely worth a regular read.

Rachel's Diary

Christian-Muslim Relations, Tottenham UK

2006-03-21T09:52:00.000+10:00

Today we got some great news. After more than a year of working to build bridges with the local Muslim community, one of the local families who would not allow their children to attend our clubs, has suddenly decided to start sending their middle son to hang out with us on Mondays. !!! Wow! It is an answer to prayer not only because we get to hang out with this young man, but because it also means that we are beginning to earn the trust of even some of the more traditional Muslims in our community.

Thanks to Tim for this update - see the SA Tottenham blog for more information on what they've been up to.

HIV-affected Children in South Africa

2006-03-16T16:53:00.000+10:00

This is a fantastic short video about the work being done in South Africa among children infected by, or affected by, HIV.

Carl Sithole Centre

Note: Video removed from this blog now that it's not the top post.

Shelter in Bloomington, USA

2006-03-16T11:13:00.000+10:00

The Salvation Army envisions a comprehensive, one-stop help for the homeless when it opens its $2.5 million, 24-hour homeless shelter.

But the Salvation Army still needs help in raising the money for the new building slated for land near its community center at 611 W. Washington St.

... The new shelter will serve another population of homeless—women and families, said Tom Fulop, director of Safe Harbor. Because of the health hazard posed by lead-based paint to women and children, the Salvation Army cannot open the doors of the old building to help them.

Article at Pantagraph

Relief in Pakistan

2006-03-16T10:57:00.000+10:00

THE Salvation Army’s International Emergency Team is back at work in some of the areas of Pakistan affected badly by last October’s devastating earthquake.

Political unrest in the country led to the withdrawal of the team for a short while but Captain Mike McKee (International Headquarters Emergency Field Operations Officer) reports that the large and unpredictable demonstrations seem to be over. 'Our team is delighted to return and pick up where we left off,' he says.

Since returning to the area, the team has inspected a school where 319 pupils are being taught in tents and looked at several villages where help is needed as families attempt to return ‘home’ from the tented camps they had stayed in over the winter. According to team leader Brian Oxley – recently awarded the MBE for his international relief work with The Salvation Army – the challenge now is to identify and provide help to a village that would otherwise be forgotten.

Salvation Army International News

(and btw... aren't those little girls gorgeous!?)

Project 614 in Toronto, Canada

2006-03-15T09:52:00.000+10:00

This is a half-hour audio program that's well worth a listen - especially if you like Canadian accents!

The Salvation Army Connection speaks to Geoff Ryan

HIV-affected Communities - Africa and Asia

2006-03-14T11:36:00.000+10:00

Many communities around the world are affected by HIV/Aids; but it can sometimes be difficult to imagine what it is like to live with the disease. Over the next seven months author Rhidian Brook, with his wife and two young children, will be travelling the world to live with those communities.

Rhidian's family will be hosted by the Salvation Army, a Christian church with a history of social action among the poor. Rhidian's role is not to be a journalist nor a spokesman for the Salvation Army.

His role is simply to bring the stories of the people he meets to the outside world.

BBC Article and links to audio reports by Rhidian

Blog by Rhidian's son Gabriel

New Youth Shelter in York Region, Canada

2006-03-14T11:22:00.000+10:00

Homeless young people will now have a place to stay with Monday's opening of the new $1-million Sutton Youth Shelter in the former St. Bernadette elementary school on Dalton Road.

Funded by York Region, the Salvation Army will be the service providers. The shelter will be open 24/7 and experienced front-line staff members will be on hand to direct young people aged 16 to 26 who come through the door, according to director Kathy Aitken. It is the only shelter of its kind in York Region.

Article - York Region Shelter To Be Run By Salvation Army

Criminals in Canada

2006-03-14T11:17:00.000+10:00

The weekly Positive Lifestyles Program (PLP) has been a success at OCDC since its implementation in 2004. The objective of the PLP is to help adult offenders face the consequences of their behaviour, begin to understand the scope of their offences, as well as the implications it has on their lives, family and community. The program encourages the concept of taking responsibility for your actions and teaches new techniques and skills that will allow for better choices in the future. Topics included in the PLP are: Crisis in Crime, Stress Management, Self-Esteem, Grief, Conflict Resolution, Assertiveness and Addictions. The program has been well received by both staff and offenders of the Detention Centre.

“Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. This is the only program that gives us a chance to make changes in our lives. The Salvation Army should be doing more of these programs… we really need them in the jails. You won’t see me back here… I promise.”
- Sandy (PLP graduate)

Sandy has kept his promise and is doing well in the community, living with his family.

Article - Crime. Prison. Criminals … Redemption??

Drought in Kenya

2006-03-10T11:29:00.000+10:00

The international standard for water requirements in a disaster is a minimum of nine litres per person per day. In Mueni's case, eight people have just 20 litres for drinking, cooking and washing – an unbelievable situation.

To help deal with this sort of situation, The Salvation Army will be working in partnership with district authorities to deploy water tanks to strategic locations. This is just one of a series of measures that form the response to the famine now facing much of sub-Saharan Africa.

Salvation Army News

The People's Voice - Melbourne, Australia

2006-03-10T09:05:00.000+10:00

This looks like an interesting experiment... I'm looking forward to payday so I can subscribe!

The People's Voice Magazine

PS. 'Experiment' isn't meant negatively.

So, tell us...

2006-03-09T14:18:00.000+10:00

What do you think of the new StreetWar blog?

Do you find it interesting? Informative? Smotheringly boring?

Are you getting anything out of it?

War College in Vancouver, Canada

2006-03-09T12:12:00.000+10:00

Bundaberg, Australia

2006-03-09T12:00:00.000+10:00

Corps officer major Peter Pearson has been wearing his red epaulettes for 27 years. For Peter, never has officership been as exciting as it is now. Four years ago, the Central Queensland corps held a 24-7 prayer initiative. Participants opened their hearts and - without knowing what God had in store - they committed themselves to his plan for Bundaberg. The results, Major Pearson says, have been "mind blowing".

"Since then, we have started a group for people recovering from addictions. ... God suggested we try that. He started it and then one of the leaders in the community, salvationist Tom Quinn, said he'd found a shed."

The shed is now the Tom Quinn Centre. It's the hub of the Salvation Army's mission in Bundaberg. It employs 15 people and operates half a dozen programs, all designed to train, educate and rehabilitate some of the most disadvantaged people in the community.

Late last year, the Salvos Media video production unit travelled to Bundaberg to film this local mission for the fourth and final instalment in the A Cause to Die For dvd series.

"The series is a ministry tool for salvationists, demonstrating what it is to be a modern day warrior in the Salvation Army," says producer Peter Hobbs. "The previous episodes have looked at the mission of the Salvation Army and how soldiers are designed to fulfil that mission. in this final chapter we discover how corps can do mission in their own backyards. Bundaberg is doing that, and doing it extremely well."

Pipeline (Australia) Feb 2006

Homelessness and Alcoholism in Estonia

2006-03-08T09:22:00.000+10:00

Our Homeless Friends

Sometimes local news is too sad...

2006-03-07T11:43:00.000+10:00

I want to put my filters back on. I know much worse stuff happens elsewhere, but for some reason this news story spun me...

ONE of Queensland's most prominent indigenous elders was left for dead for more than five hours at a busy Brisbane bus stop after suffering a stroke.

Buses came and went and hundreds of students and commuters walked past Delmae Barton's prone body at the bus stop at Griffith University's Mt Gravatt campus last Tuesday.

A group of Japanese students finally came to Aunty Delmae's aid.

Tears ran down her cheeks yesterday as the 62-year-old recalled the shame of lying in her own vomit, unable to speak or reach out to passers-by.
Source

South Africa - Project 1:8 Amplify

2006-03-07T09:31:00.000+10:00

The team:

Kids lining up for the OVC feeding scheme:

Read about it on the Mission Team website, and ongoing reports at Salvos Connect Forum - Mission Team Updates

The street ministers in Vancouver are getting younger...

2006-03-07T09:26:00.000+10:00

Oh man... I feel outdone by a 6 year old. This is NOT good... :-)

Seriously, this is awesome:

So I was out with my 6 year old...

Melbourne, Australia

2006-03-06T12:32:00.000+10:00

An update from 614 down in Melbourne:

We had a Ball Monday night at 614 that was run by loads of volunteers and heaps of donations. It was a free event, held for anyone in the community who wanted to come. We had hair stylist and make up artists come in to make over anyone who wanted it. We also had tons of suits and dresses and shoes for people to come in and try on and wear to the Ball. A few of us Order members decided we weren't going to get dressed up but just help out...but once we got started looking at all the dresses...we couldn't resist getting all dolled up. It proved to be an absolutely amazing night, and was a real chance for people from the community and from our drop in centre to look and feel beautiful and just dance the night away. We had a well known football player come and host a "dance off" and a fantastic house band play as we ate our dinner. I've put up about 40 pictures from the night on my msn space so definitely check those out. It was an awesome chance to just bond with my Order team members, as well as to just have a lot of fun with clients that we work with every day.

From Esther

Vancouver, Canada

2006-03-06T12:23:00.000+10:00

This is awesome:

Salvation and healing in Vancouver

Turning a Blind Eye

2006-03-02T02:43:00.000+10:00

Last week I was in New York City, staying at the Salvation Army in East Harlem - it's a very interesting neighborhood if you've never been there. The Salvation Army is situated right in the middle of homeless people, gangs, alcoholics, and drug dealers...everything the Army began reaching out to in its early years. Unfortunately, however, it's the only church that we saw in the area. Just as Churches 100 years ago tended to steer clear of the poor, still today churches are taking an arms length approach to poverty.

We found the segregation in the city of New York to be absolutely amazing (but not in a good way!). As we drew closer to our subway stop in Harlem, all of the "caucasian" people started to get off and we were given looks of "did you miss your stop??" or "do you know where you're going??" It seemed impossible to some people that we would choose to spend any time in that area.

We so often live in a dream world, thinking everything is perfect, we like to live in a little bubble that says the world is peachy, and has never been better. But you just have to look around to see the world is hurting. Much like Evangeline said in regards to homeless people in her neighborhood - we turn a blind eye.

God called us to be in the world as his messengers, not live in a gated community for fear of being hurt by something we don't understand.

Psst...

2006-03-01T23:59:00.000+10:00

I posted this one on my personal blog and really found it to be a challenge. It is such a powerful image, because each one of us live and work in circles just like this one. There are people around us that are hurting and we too often turn our backs. There are people crying while we do nothing. It reminded me of an old songster piece that included the words. “There are people dying in the world today, they need you, then need me they need Christ.” How often do we really step out and talk to people in need in our own immediate surroundings?

Peter

West End, Brisbane

2006-03-01T12:36:00.000+10:00

The Waiters' Union

“…The Brisbane River curves its way through suburbs and past the inner city. Pocketed in one of its bends near the central business district is the suburb of West End. In this pocket are about six thousand households. Thirty or so of these households are connected in some way to what is called the Waiters’ Union. They form a loosely constructed network set up to support community and spiritual development in the suburb and see themselves “as a part of the locality… as a network of residents working towards community that is integral to [their] locality.”
Location, Relationships and Incarnational Evangelism as Concepts in Urban Mission (Mike Crudge)

‘How can you worship a homeless man on Sunday and ignore one on Monday?’ That challenge is at the heart of an unusual community of Christians who share their story with me today. They break with the pattern of a formal and exclusive group, and they live the gospel through the eyes of the poor. They’re The Waiters’ Union, founded by Dave and Ange Andrews and they're actually part of a wave that the Evangelical Christian magazine, Christianity Today, calls ‘the new monasticism’.
Interview on Radio National

The Salvation Army

"Mission Team is excited to announce the launch of our latest initiative, an initial 2 year Missional Church experience in Brisbane's West End.

"God is speaking to us about partnering with him to re-establish a Salvo presence in Brisbane's West End. Is he speaking to you?"
Mission Team: Project 1:8

Food Market in Sydney

2006-02-27T14:58:00.000+10:00

This quarter's On the Scene was a very interesting, inspiring read for me. Check it out - I think the ideas presented in it would work (maybe I should say 'do work', because I'm sure there are similar programs elsewhere already) worldwide. I especially love the Food Market. I suppose it helps that one of my favourite Aussie Salvationists is involved in it!

Evangeline

Praise report

2006-02-25T09:26:00.000+10:00

Just thought I'd put this in as a bit of a celebratory note. I am currently staying at the training college in Sydney and on Friday nights the cadets go out and do pub ministries. Just wanted to put in a praise report of what happened. The comment was, "God was on the prowl tonight." People were back late, because their pub runs were getting longer, not because they were visiting more pubs but because they kept getting engaged in God-related conversations! Between the three cadets we have here in the single women's hostel, there was a total of 10 significant God conversations held last night! So praise God for the way He opens the door for our message of the mystery of Christ. Please also pray for continued opportunities and continued connections with the people spoken to last night. Pray that the seeds that have been planted will not be snatched away but will take root and be nourished.

bec

Underneath the Veneer

2006-02-23T12:35:00.000+10:00

I was talking to someone at church the other week (I honestly forget who - sorry!) and they mentioned something about the suburb we're in (both the church and us) being middle-class... in the context of saying that it was removed from the inner city homelessness, drug problems and general squalor. Well... that's what I thought when we moved there. Then I noticed the famous homeless guy who lives on the footpath outside a church on a huge pile of plastic bags. Then I noticed another guy (who stopped hubby and I for a chat because hubby was wearing a Salvo t-shirt) who, while not homeless, struck me as teetering on the edge. Then I noticed his mate, who sells the Big Issue. Then I noticed a number of other elderly men who quietly wander the streets between the white 30-somethings heading home from work and the international students. Our suburb has quite a few homeless and disadvantaged folk. It's just that they're very easy to ignore.

So... I've been pondering a game plan.

Get some hexifoam (an antibacterial foam used when soap might not be available). I know it sounds horribly elitist of me, wanting to avoid being 'infected' by these folk. But I'd prefer a discreet squirt of hexifoam round the corner than avoiding touch. One guy in particular really seems to 'click' with shaking hands with us. Maybe people don't do that so much.
I've invited a couple of these guys to church, with the entirely predictable result of... no presence at church. Can't say I blame them, it must be a pretty daunting proposition. So... do we take church to them? I'm not sure I'm up for that just yet... so I'm thinking maybe leftovers from morning tea would be accepted. Hmmmm. Gotta work out how to avoid offense.

My game plan's a little thin atm. All suggestions and advice considered (not necessarily followed, but considered!).

Evangeline

Glimmers of Hope

2006-02-23T00:55:00.000+10:00

We run a Youth Alpha course, and youth club at our corps - and I have to say that sometimes I listen to the things that are going on in the lives of our young people and just feel like crying. I know they need God, but it's getting them to realise that too that's the tricky part.

This post, however, is not meant to be depressing. I want to give thanks to God for the glimmers of hope we see. I thank him for the questions the young people are asking about faith. I want to thank him for the fact that they are comfortable with us reading the bible in the "God spot" at youth club. I want to thank him for the maturity and sense of justice that I see in some.

The front line sometimes moves very slowly, but it is moving.

Chris

PUSH - Pray Until Something Happens

2006-02-22T08:53:00.000+10:00

So this slightly deviates from the specific purpose of the site, sorry, but I think it's worth putting in here, and does have some definite links.

I'm part of an email ministry group and we have a weekly newsletter that gets mailed out to all the people committed to praying and they also have the opportunity to submit prayer requests. If you are interested in getting involved, you can check out www.push.salvos.com for the website or email phil@push.salvos.com.

Looking forward to this getting up and happening!

bec

Upheaval

2006-02-21T22:09:00.000+10:00

As you can see, StreetWar is in the middle of converting over to a community blog! If at any stage you want to become a regular contributor - or if you have a one-time report that you'd like to see included - give me a yell! If you're feeling shy, please keep in mind that this blog isn't designed to give us glory, but to give God glory and others encouragement. Oh, and to get a little encouragement for ourselves at times, I'm sure.

PS. I'll add in a link to my personal blog once I've gotten it up and running.

Street War in Toronto, Canada

2006-02-21T14:21:00.000+10:00

A month ago we had a major youth night appropriately called STREET. We challenged each of the youth to come forward to the mercy seat and dedicate themselves to serving Christ on their home streets. From all across the city people wrote down their street names and committed themselves to serving there. It was a powerful night.
Please pray that as a month has now gone by that those streets have truly felt God’s presence. And that those teens have made an impact in their community. Youth rallies only become powerful when they are followed by action and dedication.

With you in Battle,
Peter

StreetWar Frontline Updates

2006-02-18T20:41:00.000+10:00

So far we have three people interested (including me) ... anyone else?

HUGE NEWSFLASH

2006-02-17T13:23:00.000+10:00

I'm thinking of moving all my personal stuff to another blog and devoting this one to the war on the streets.

By that, I mean opening it up as a place where various Salvationists can report on what God's doing in the 'dodgy neighbourhood' areas in their part of the world. You'll need to be a StreetWar team member to post.

What do you think? Would you be interested in posting - or for that matter, reading? Do you know people who might like to participate?

My reasoning: I love reading all your blogs. There's a lot of info on them, and while that's great for me (speed-reader extraordinaire), it could be difficult for someone looking for ideas or specific inspiration to find it. So... one place where people can come for both when they're looking at getting involved in this sort of work?

Please post your thoughts, criticisms, etc. Worst case scenario, things will stay as they are.

Progress!

2006-01-30T12:55:00.000+10:00

The Prayer Tent is... coming soon. Hopefully. Have spoken to church leader and a few church members about it. Hmm... should be interesting.

The Prayer Tent

2005-11-27T14:30:00.000+10:00

I want to see this happen. Soon. I need to get up and do it myself if no-one else wants to join me.

Drawing Crosses

2005-11-10T21:51:00.000+10:00

For the second time this week, I find myself amidst people drawing crosses on inanimate objects. Strangely, the expressed purpose each time seemed quite different from my perspective. Is God trying to show me a deep difference, or an underlying similarity?

News Articles

2005-11-09T13:00:00.000+10:00

I came across a couple of interesting articles in my travels today:

Aussie encourages Londoners to say hello

"Mr June' from the Mission Australia calendar of homeless people

And this is a late addition that I think is fantastic:

UK: Liverpool Boiler Room launched at Strawberry Fields
The Liverpool children's home that became world famous after The Beatles 1967 hit song "Strawberry Fields Forever" has just re-opened its doors as 24-7 Prayer's Liverpool Boiler Room - operated in association with the Salvation Army.

I think this is so cool...

2005-11-08T11:56:00.000+10:00

Check out Andrew Clark's blog about creating a Prayer-mobile (like the Batmobile, but with more leg-room).

Coffee and Hope

2005-11-08T11:38:00.000+10:00

I repeated yesterday's experiment and went for coffee again. And I discovered the strangest thing... community felt very close and easy to foster. A couple of guys at the next table said hello as I sat down, and we chatted a bit before they got back to their own conversation. People rushing for buses caught my eye and smiled back.

It's not always that easy. Not only that, the novelty of going somewhere and doing something different will wear off when I start seeing the ugly and just boring face of things. But for now, after the sorrow of last night, I feel the truth of the old Psalm -

weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5b

Anyway, lest you think I turned all sentimental and smushy, let me go on...

I found a picture today that spoke to me. It was taken in the suburb that I've been talking about so much. I couldn't find any copyright information or contact details for the person who took the photo, so I'll include the site I found it on, and the photographer's name as given on that site.

It's from Images of Brisbane, and is attributed to Karen Milder.

Something I've worked out this week - I'm not very good at balance. I need to make sure I'm working on my marriage, too. No, it's not in crisis... I'm just getting a little unbalanced. It's like juggling. I'm OK when I've got two items to juggle. But it's boring. So I add more items, and it's exciting... and difficult.

Coffee and Meetings

2005-11-07T20:34:00.000+10:00

I went for coffee this morning.

It was an interesting experience. I paid $1 for a black coffee, sat outside, and watched two (seemingly) different worlds go by. There were mostly well-dressed people rushing to work, and homeless? people ambling along the footpath chatting to their mates sitting near me. Some of my fellow customers bought breakfast too - weetbix, cornflakes or chocolate gateau.

I think I preferred the lower-income way of doing Monday mornings.

We had our weekly (so far) 'throw ideas about community around' meeting tonight. I was sad to find that one of the main points on the agenda was 'should we be holding these meetings anymore?' Man... they've been inspiring and encouraging me to get in there and do something. Maybe the meetings seem a lot less important to people who're already working together and in the Valley. To me they've been an important connecting point. But hey... I'm not everyone, right?

Novelty and Commitment

2005-11-06T14:38:00.000+10:00

Whew...

I think the novelty has worn off this blog!

Regardless, here's a quick update on our doings:

I'm exploring a cafe run by a charity in the area - and thinking that maybe I could have an accountability meeting there... great reason to be there once a week.
Our corps leader is looking at coming along to planning meetings - woohoo!
We've been throwing ideas around as to what we can do with our current resources. A couple of ideas close to my heart are in the mix.
I'm pondering Christmas ideas. I'd love to hold an open Christmas Eve party. Any ideas/experiences you can share with me?

Intentional Community

2005-10-31T19:56:00.000+10:00

So how do a bunch of idealistic Christians go about making themselves at home in an inner-city suburb... and then helping others who've lived there for years, decades - even generations - feel at home there, too?

I've spent a fair amount of time in our city's 'dodgy' side. And I've noticed that, while a lot of people call it home, it doesn't really have a homey sort of feel to it. It's as though people feel least out of place there.

So far, we're looking at how a small group of people can help out the people we already come into contact with. Right now, that's centred around getting them involved with things that other groups are doing... existing programs that it would be silly to re-invent. Sensible idea.

What else can we do right now? Well, strangely enough, the thing that's most appealing to me is to spend some time at a cafe run by another charity. I want to sit down, relax, and get to know some of the people who spend their time in the suburb. Now all I have to do is work out how to fit that into an 9-5 workday... hmmm. Lord, the spirit is willing, but the inspiration is lacking!

On a side note - we just got a visit from some trick-or-treaters. As you might not know, Australia does NOT habitually celebrate Halloween. But more and more kids are watching US television and catching onto the concept of free lollies. Sooo... trick-or-treaters occasionally turn up on Halloween. These kids were exceptionally well-prepared, and warned people with a letter-drop a few days before.

Now, I'm not particularly keen on bringing US traditions over here (no offense, guys!). But I don't want to be the crotchety ogre either... and hey, it's a way of building community, and I'm supposed to be all for that. So, since it's a tight week financially, they got home-made muffins and brownies. Surprisingly, they were stoked. They liked our dog, too.

Funny

2005-10-27T12:18:00.000+10:00

Someone posted this article in a forum I visit. Well worth a read for the humour value. Stephen Court linked to it in the armybarmy blog, so if you read it from there, no need to click on the link below.

God's Design for Men

(Note: this article is meant as satire, not sound biblical scholarship)

My Utmost for His Highest

2005-10-27T12:16:00.000+10:00

I think I've mentioned twice now that I've been using this devotional daily over the last couple of weeks. God's been using this book and other sources to show me a very important concept that I need to stay aware of. It's all about serving Him and walking with Him WHERE I AM. Not where I will be. Not lounging around waiting for the REAL action to start. Not even trying to prepare for the 'ministry' that God has 'called' me to. Simply following Him each day and learning carefully what he has to teach me. And... trusting that within the daily process, he will help me do the work he has for me today, and prepare my heart for tomorrow's work. This is a tough concept for me to cope with... I like having the big picture.

Here's some of the 'prods' he's given me lately:

We do not need the grace of God to withstand crises—human nature and pride are sufficient for us to face the stress and strain magnificently. But it does require the supernatural grace of God to live twenty-four hours of every day as a saint, going through drudgery, and living an ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus. It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God—but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people—and this is not learned in five minutes.
http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php?month=10&day=21

Prayer is the battle, and it makes no difference where you are. However God may engineer your circumstances, your duty is to pray. Never allow yourself this thought, "I am of no use where I am," because you certainly cannot be used where you have not yet been placed. Wherever God has placed you and whatever your circumstances, you should pray, continually offering up prayers to Him. And He promises, "Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do . . ." ( John 14:13 ). Yet we refuse to pray unless it thrills or excites us, which is the most intense form of spiritual selfishness. We must learn to work according to God’s direction, and He says to pray. "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest" ( Matthew 9:38 ).
http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php?month=10&day=17

No Christian has a special work to do. A Christian is called to be Jesus Christ’s own, "a servant [who] is not greater than his master" ( John 13:16 ), and someone who does not dictate to Jesus Christ what he intends to do. Our Lord calls us to no special work— He calls us to Himself. "Pray the Lord of the harvest," and He will engineer your circumstances to send you out as His laborer.
http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php?month=10&day=16

So what am I doing about it? Well, let me think...

trying to reach out to others at church, and help build community there (I think this is important, and God seems to think so too).
getting involved in efforts to build community in our dodgy suburb.
getting involved in two prayer groups... one for our dodgy suburb, one for the suburb we live in and attend church.

So... that's not a bad list, but I think I'm sketchy on a couple of other important points:

praying to God by myself (my prayer journal is looking rather lonely at the moment).
studying God's word and praying with hubby (this is getting better, but I think it's far from what we need to be doing).

Does anything else jump out at anyone as being bleeding obviously missing?

Prayer Request

2005-10-26T22:03:00.000+10:00

I'm the sort of person who's very hesitant to scream 'satanic attack' unless it seems very, very obvious... and frankly, that's rather rare. But at the moment, I'm tempted to start screaming.

The last three weeks have been quite good spiritually... I've been talking to God a fair amount, getting more involved with church members, going to prayer group. But they've also been incredibly difficult emotionally. I've been in tears probably half of those nights. That's NOT normal for me.

Now it could actually be that this is part of a healing process. I've commented before that I struggle with depression. It usually manifests mostly as extreme difficulty doing anything... even getting out of bed seems a huge and relatively pointless task. So it could be that God is moving my coping mechanisms from internalising problems to immediate emotional release. Theoretically, that could be a sign that this depression is being healed slowly but surely. That would be nice.

So... there's my situation. It could be satan attacking, it could be God healing. Bizarre, but I'm really not sure which it is. My discernment is cloudy on this one. What I'm asking isn't for prayer against the sadness, upsetness and teariness, but prayer for God to move, and for me to be open to His moving. I don't even need to know what's going on... all I need to know is that God is in control. To know that, I need control of my heart, mind and soul given over to Him.

No, I'm not dead!

2005-10-26T18:00:00.000+10:00

Well, the 'I'm tired' theme has been rather prominent this week! Lots of work, and my lunchbreaks (usually half-devoted to blogging) have been spent mindlessly drooling.

Anyway, what's been happening?

The meeting last Monday was postponed to this week. So on Monday night we met up and had a quick meet-and-chat. We worked out that we're not sure what exactly we'll do next!

Hubby and I've been reading a daily devotional from My Utmost for His Highest... there's some good stuff in there!

Weary

2005-10-18T16:02:00.000+10:00

Today I'm feeling absolutely exhausted. It's one of those days where I just want to crawl under my desk and sleep... or read. My work day will end soon...

Spiritual Disciplines

2005-10-17T11:55:00.000+10:00

Tonight we have the inaugural meeting of a group which doesn't yet have a name... and its purpose is, at the moment, a little foggy! I guess the best description so far is 'networking'. We're meeting together to see what people are doing, who they are, why they're doing what they're doing... etc. I'm still excited.

I've been asking myself recently, "If I was applying for officership, what would the people considering the applications want to see me doing?" In other words... what can I be doing better in my life, and in the life of my church? It's not that I'm aspiring to be an officer right now, or any time soon, but I suppose it's more about becoming more committed to my soldiership vow. Well duh, that's a resource I never thought of consulting - the Orders and Regs for Soldiers!

So, I'm thinking that not only should I be thinking about this, but I should be seeking answers from others. This includes books (I bought a couple of bags worth from Koorong on the weekend), but also those around me. My husband, for example. The leader and leadership team of our church. People who know me well enough to recognise my faults, and hopefully have enough perspective to pick out the important things that're holding me back from deeper relationship with God. Hmmm... now that I've written that down, I'm going to have to actually follow through on asking people. Darn. Hassle me if I don't report back, OK?

One of the books that I bought on the weekend is about prayer. I bought it because while it offered some formulas, it seemed most focused on the idea of looking to God and being open to experiencing His presence in different ways. It offers a number of different prayer styles to look at and try. I've decided to read a chapter a week and try the prayer(s) explained in each one every day for that week. For example, these are this week's prayers:

Lord, encircle me:
Keep faith within,
Keep pride without.

Lord, encircle me:
Keep hope within,
Keep despair without.

Lord, encircle me:
Keep love within,
Keep fear without.

and,

Love, light up this mortal frame,
So others may catch the living flame.
(said with a focus on faith (that God can and will do it), hope (that it can make a difference in people's lives) and love (that God loves me, and others))

They're very meditative, relaxing prayers. Are they 'enough' on their own? In a sense, perhaps... they acknowledge God's sovereignty and express a desire and willingness to his working in one's heart. But they do lack specificity (is that a word?), and I think there's a danger in that. So I'm not relying on this book for my entire prayer life, but using it as an addition which might just help me listen to God and open my heart up to him, better than before.

(Can you tell I'm wary of how-to books?)

Another book I bought is the classic My Utmost for His Highest. I've given in. If something will challenge me and goad me to give more of me to God, I'll consult it - no matter what pain I foresee. So far, it's been challenging. But unless I daily meet that challenge with action... what's the point in being challenged?

A Slightly Longer Update

2005-10-14T12:33:00.000+10:00

I really need to go OUT for lunch today, but I wanted to share a bit of what I learnt last night, now that I've had time to get it a bit straighter in my mind.

First, God seems to've been putting similar ideas into the minds of many people. Apparently, there are a LOT of people with a heart for our 'dodgy suburb'.

Second, the current move that's got me so excited is a weekly meeting held with the intention of bringing together all the people who God's been prodding, so we can talk and work together a bit. I think this is a great move when it comes to encouraging and helping each other.

Third, I was reassured to find that the person trying to bring all these people together is someone who strikes me as having much spiritual maturity and life experience. If I hear one more person explaining that 'praying protection' over my family will prevent things such as miscarriage, I may have to beat them to death with my bible. Sigh. What does that have to do with spiritual maturity and life experience? Well, I think that if we truly walk in the steps of the apostles, we'll soon discover that christianity isn't all good feelings, prosperity, and protection from tragedy. God doesn't promise us that in this world.

OK... I'm off to lunch!

Very Quick (Short) Update

2005-10-14T08:59:00.000+10:00

I went along to prayer group last night, and spoke to the person organising a weekly meeting for people interested in being involved in community/ministry in our 'dodgy suburb'. When I say 'spoke', we went to dinner at the local food court and talked for a couple of hours. It was a good time, and hopefully profitable too.

Online Books

2005-10-12T13:25:00.000+10:00

I've added a new section on the right entitled 'SA Books Online'. Some of the old classics - and some new ones! - are available for download from various places, and since I've managed to hunt a number down, I thought I'd make the list available. This is NOT a full list at the moment... more to follow when I have time.

Evangelism

2005-10-12T12:11:00.000+10:00

It just occurred to me that my topic of 'evangelism' is sort of amusing (not to mention appropriate) given my moniker of Evangeline...

Anyway, these thoughts have been sparked by a couple of people's recent blogs. Firstly, Gordon writes about the 'blanket bombing' evangelist in He's Back.... This got my attention because I used to feel pressured to become that sort of evangelist. I've never liked being 'evangelised' in that way, and I've never felt comfortable with the idea of evangelising in such a way. While boldness is a good thing, I guess the point is that if we're going to upset the status quo, we need to make sure it's God who's guiding us that way, not a prideful desire to make a scene or feel important. I found some good thoughts in a Contagious Christianity series we went through in our bible study group.

Second, via a link from the exact blog entry I mentioned above, I came across this comment on Luke 5:1-11:
a miraculously large catch of fish instantly changes the fundamental question in Peter's life from "will there be enough to feed my family?" to "can I gather enough people to take in God's bounty?"
Dylan's Lectionary Blog

God is attractive. That's something I've learnt over the years. It's Christians who often aren't particularly attractive. I've noticed that when I'm surrendered to God and showing his love to others indiscriminately, then simple and gentle evangelism opportunities are everywhere. It doesn't seem necessary to reach out and try to grab people, they come to me.

Here's an example... I was reading part of the latest Journal of Aggressive Christianity at the bus stop this morning. A woman I've gotten into the habit of chatting to (in the 5-10 minutes before the bus arrives some mornings) sat down and asked what I was reading. I told her, she said the article (Married Officer Leadership – For Such A Time As This) looked interesting. She happily accepted my offer of the pieces of paper it was printed upon. We got on the bus, she read the article and commented that it made some good points, and I got off the bus. Is she a christian? No idea. I'm fairly sure she isn't a Salvo. Yet something about that article intrigued her. If she isn't a Christian, then at the least there are a couple of Christian stereotypes it might have done away with.

Sometimes I still wonder, though... I've managed to resolve the 'boldness' concept of evangelism with my own life. But how about the 'urgency' factor? The idea that people will end up in hell (both in this life and afterwards), without my intervention? Should 'urgency' simply take the form of getting real about spiritual growth and giving it all up for God? Is it enough to simply stop procrastinating?

I suppose what it all comes down to is a simple, complete, continual surrender to God. Surely that's the biggest, most effective step I can take. Anything else puts me in danger of going down prideful, arrogant, 'blanket-bombing' pathways.

I just had a thought...

What if all our 'reach-out' programs and prepared speeches are just our way of avoiding our real responsibility:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:1

Whatcha think?

Hmmmm...

2005-10-10T22:06:00.000+10:00

I'm staring in bemusement at my cat... who for some mysterious reason just finished polishing off 4.5 pieces of pumpkin offcut.

This cat just likes weirding me out. I'm sure of it. She's a carnivorous creature who will often eat snow peas if they're left out (and promptly regurgitate them somewhere convenient, like on the couch), but shows complete disdain for the vast majority of non-meat products. Now, all of a sudden, pumpkin. RAW pumpkin. Sigh.

There's a theological lesson there somewhere. Maybe God is telling me that I do the same thing to him!

"I'm Excited!!"

2005-10-10T13:26:00.000+10:00

A couple of years ago there were a number of TV ads for a range of cleaning products, with the owner of the company (Big Kev) yelling, "I'm excited!" (excitedly, of course).

Well, I'm excited, and maybe cleaning products are a good metaphor. God's the best cleanser in the world, right?

I'm not going to post details yet (I'm not sure of Salvation Army etiquette), but I got wind of God maybe doing something huge right where he placed my heart... oooooh! Will I be involved? I'm not sure, but I'm definitely going to make myself available.

"Proof of Christ's Return"

2005-10-10T08:48:00.000+10:00

I read the above news headline, and it sparked a thought. The actual article was somewhat different than the headline led me to believe, but it's interesting - Pat Robertson comments.

Anyway, it was the headline more than the article that got me thinking. We have a tendency, when we read of disasters, to turn to abstract theology. We often conceptualise and depersonalise as fast as possible. I'm as guilty, if not more guilty, than the next person. After all, it's much less painful to ponder whether the last days are upon us (as long as it doesn't lead to soul-searching!), than to try and take in, understand and grieve the pain, the loss, the anguish that occurred. I'm keeping it at arm's length as we speak.

Lord, make us people who dare to feel, who dare to open our hearts to the pain and suffering in our world, and grieve with those who are grieving. Help us to get over this fear of the pain we'll feel. Let us mourn the destruction, and do what we can, when we can, to help those whose lives have been torn apart. Lord, soften our hearts!

God works in strange ways

2005-10-09T11:25:00.000+10:00

Karyn Baker's blog sparked a thought in me... she mentioned a seminar she went to about Listening Prayer, and shares a summary of the ways God speaks to us. It reminded me of a time when God spoke to me through The Simpsons. Bizarre medium, but a very specific, useful message. Sometimes I think God just likes messing with my head!

Looking Back

2005-10-09T10:58:00.000+10:00

Whew, what was I smoking on Friday? I'm suddenly glad my husband doesn't habitually read this blog... he would've gotten wind of the crazy thoughts going through my head, who knows where it might've ended?

Nah, just kidding, I didn't wimp out. I want more of God in my life. So we sat down together last night after a surprising minimum of talk about the idea, and prayed that God would use us wherever, whenever, however.

Oh Lord... what have we DONE???

(I'm excited. I feel free!)

PS: Feedback and Links

2005-10-07T16:33:00.000+10:00

I just thought I'd mention - I like getting feedback. Feel free to post your feedback without fear of me getting grouchy. Even if it's just 'hi' or 'hmmmm', that's fine. And if you're a Salvo and would like me to link to your blog, let me know.

Here I Am, Send Me!

2005-10-07T12:40:00.000+10:00

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"

And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Isaiah 6:1-8

Hmmmm. I think this is relevant to me. First, it's got to do with being willing to be available to God for whatever he wants done. That's the obvious bit. The not-so-obvious bit that I'm contemplating as I type (best way to think, sometimes), is the process. So let me see if I can break this down into something non-legalistic, but useful. Bear with me.

First, Isaiah saw God.
Second, he realised something of what God is.
Third, he realised something of what HE wasn't - and it tore him up inside (metaphorically speaking).
Fourth, the live coal. OK, here's where I get a bit stuck. Does it simply signify forgiveness? I don't think so. A live (burning) coal, taken from God's altar, touched to the part he said was sinful... well I know that heat is often used to remove infection. So, not just forgiveness but painful purification?
Fifth, AFTER his repentance, forgiveness and purification, God wonders out loud "Whom shall I send?" I guess we hear God best once we've opened ourselves up to be purified by him?
Sixth, Isaiah jumps in and says, "Here I am, send me!" Does he know where God wants to send him? Nope. Does he know what God wants done? Nope. Isaiah was presumably married (I've worked out that he had a son)... but he didn't say, "Send me, as long as it's not too far away, or for too long a time, Lord!" Maybe he was being a stereotypical guy and wanted to get away from the family for a while... or maybe he simply trusted that God had his, and his family's, best interests in mind.

Hmmmm. I'm thinking of talking to hubby tonight and suggesting that we simply pray together, "Lord, we have no idea what you want to do, or where you want to do it. But we offer ourselves to go wherever you want, to do whatever you want."

I wonder how hubby will react?

Restlessness

2005-10-06T12:44:00.000+10:00

My restlessness seems to be increasing exponentially. I'm fairly happy with my life, but... I feel as though I'm about to miss an exciting appointment somewhere! Where, and why... I have no idea. Hopefully God will point me in a direction soon.

Intellectual Revolution

2005-10-05T11:48:00.000+10:00

I've done a 'ministry personality' type quiz a couple of times. The basic principle was to find out what style of outreach and ministry you have a tendency toward.

Surprise surprise... I tend toward the intellectual. I love to debate, discuss, argue and exegete. And I acknowledge that this is a useful sort of preference, or gift, to have. It is, however, a very easy one to misuse... as centuries of christian in-fighting has proven. It used to be very easy for me to get caught up in debates about theoretical principles, theological hairsplitting, and discussions of what 'the establishment' is currently doing wrong.

I've noticed God changing that in me. Not changing my basic preferences, but in making my heart uneasy when my mind is wandering down unprofitable paths... when my pride in winning an argument is overwhelming my love for my 'opponent'. It's gotten to the point where I instinctively ask myself, "what am I going to do about it?"

Of course, that question does little good if it isn't answered... and the answer does little good unless it's put into practice. That's my current challenge. Unless I actually do whatever it is God wants me to do, then all my talking, debating, questioning and resolving is near-useless.

And here's the article which sparked my train of thought: A New Day - Make It So by John McAllister.

The Pseudonym

2005-10-04T12:48:00.000+10:00

It occurred to me that I really should let y'all know something about me...

Evangeline is a pseudonym. This isn't a deliberate deception, by the way. I assumed people would look at the name, look at the 'first-generation Salvationist' bit in my profile, and click that it wasn't my real name!

I feel a bit strange calling it a 'pseudonym', though. To me, a 'pseudonym' is simply an assumed name used for the purposes of disguise, whereas 'Evangeline' has more meaning for me. First of all, there's the actual meaning of the name - "Good News". I'm not sure that I'm good news, but I certainly have good news to share!

Secondly, the name has more significance for me after reading a little about the life of Evangeline Booth... and of course our own Eva Burrows, for whom I harbour a quite a bit of affection, despite not knowing her personally. The best analogy I can think of is a woman assuming the name of a saint when she takes her vows and becomes a nun. She takes the name of a human being whose spiritual example she'd like to follow. And while both Evangeline and Eva would doubtless be horrified at the idea, they're the closest to female saints I think the Salvation Army has - in the sense of high-profile Christian women whose devotion to God and exploits are seen as good examples to follow.

Whew... I'll leave that interdenominational, quasi-heretical concept alone now, I think! Anyway, my real name is Naomi. Call me whichever!

Brokenness

2005-10-04T12:01:00.000+10:00

Oooooh...

I went to one of my favourite sites - Max Lucado's. The Daily Audio (a 1-2 minute spoken message from Max) was simply titled 'Brokenness'. Now if you've read the title of this blog, not to mention my profile, you'll understand that this is a favourite theme of mine. So I didn't hesitate to right-click on the link, copy the location and open it in Winamp. Wow... a short, but poignant message. This is the bit that really stood out to me -

"Look at society! Broken hearts, broken lives, broken dreams. These people need to be put back together, and God can do just that, and he does so - through the church!"

Listen to the whole message using this link.

It just occurred to me that one of my favourite bible verses of all time is also along these lines. It says -

Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend.
Psalm 5:3b (MSG)

Wow. Why is it a favourite? Because the imagery, to me, speaks of taking all the broken bits of my life - the relationships I dropped and cracked, the opportunities crumbled in my wake, the collapsed wall I had built around part of my heart, the hurt I walked straight into which left me crippled - taking them all and putting them on God's altar. And that's not all. It's not just that I can take them all to God and leave them with him. His fire descending invokes the idea that he can transform what I give him. He can turn worthless broken pieces of pottery and turn them into something beautiful. Like a mosaic - the broken bits are still there, they're still broken, but if they'd never been broken they never could have formed a piece of artwork more beautiful than the original object.

So... it's great that I can wax theological and wave pretty concepts around... but what am I doing about it? First I need to tell you a couple of seemingly-unrelated, but very pertinent facts:

First, one of my great struggles in life is to trust other christians. Church is supposed to be a place where it's OK to be broken. This I believe. But it's hard to be vulnerable and open to imperfect people. Nevertheless, I've been slowly but surely opening my heart to people at church.

Second, hubby and I have been doing short bible studies together at rather random times. We look at a passage, extract a concept which particularly spoke to each of us, and work out what we can do in the next day or week to put the concept into practice in our lives. It might be an individual challenge, it might be something we do together. The last passage we looked at was -

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose.

Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.
Phillippians 2:1-4

The challenge that we came up with was to invite someone from church over every week for dinner. The point being to help increase fellowship in our church, get to know people better, and show interest in people's lives. I said to someone recently that people don't 'drop out' of our church - at least to my knowledge. Everyone is known, people are noticed, absences are noted and prayed over, often followed up. Not in a judgmental way - but out of love and concern. Hubby and I aren't currently doing much to aid this process, so hopefully we can, in making this step, open up our hearts and lives to our church. I see this as a first step, not as a destination... in opening our home once a week I suspect we'll soon open our home in a bigger way. How? Oh, I don't know. God doesn't tell me these things!