And You Think You've got Prayer Requests

I just got this email from a friend:

Please pray for the following young men who have participated in [my] Leg-Up program:
1) Tyler Morin: shot in the chest and arm last night.
2) the 17 year old who did the shooting (name is confidential).
3) Arnold Simmons: was in a car accident and now is a paraplegic.
Thank-you.
Envoy Kevin Bickford

If you were to send me an email with your prayer requests, I wonder what they'd look like? If I sent you one a few minutes before I read this note, it might have looked something like this:

Please pray for the following:
1) Funding for our New PowerHouse Teen Center.
2) Spiritual Growth in our People.
3) Outreach to the Lost in our community.

Is any prayer request any less important than any other? I'm not really sure. Can God handle them all? I am really sure! But does this kinda make me think about where my priorities are? You betcha.

Oh Lord, we reach out to you on behalf of these 3 guys and ask that you intervene in their lives. Show them your love for them. Send someone (Kevin?) to be Jesus to them during these trying times. Bring comfort, peace and healing. Make sense of it all for them, as only you can. Amen.

Two Cells and Counting...

I just got back from our Corps Bible study. How far this group has come in the last couple of years! I believe we're actually forming a nice little cell group without people even realizing it (I just love sneaking that in under the radar)! Our last 3 weeks have been awesome times of interaction, discussion and spiritual connection (and Bible study)! Cool!

For a long while, there was an uncomfortable feeling about how we were being perceived by the others in the group. But by committing to the long haul, we've recently been able to cut through that and I have actually started to look forward to going and what we're going to talk about! I believe we're cultivating an atmosphere where you can think out loud (I think best this way) and just bang stuff around without being taken too literally. There are a couple of exceptions, but the rest of us understand what's happening and just go with the flow.

God knows how I long to get all our people into cell groups. That's where God hangs out in today's church- in the personal interacting of his body with each other. Oh sure, he's elsewhere as well, but he just seems to be blessing the connections of the body in powerful ways these days!

So it's taken us almost 5 years to get 2 good cells going. Does that sound like a bad record? Not when you know where we're coming from! It's more like we're moving at the speed of sound! And it seems that God is just blessing everything lately! How cool is that?!

We've got a couple of other cells in the works. Pray that we'll be able to get them up and running quickly and that they'll all begin the process of multiplying soon.

I'm OK, You're OK. Wait! I'm NOT OK, I Need Help!

I think that "I'm OK, you're OK" stuff stinks. Well, at least as much as it makes us think we're all we need to be within ourselves. I believe that until we realize we're not OK by ourselves and that we need each other, we're going to be in hot water (and the further away we're going to be from actually being OK).

What is it that makes us think once we get saved, we can go off in our own little world and ignore everyone else? Or that we don't need to be connected to a body of believers? Or that I should avoid you because you don't believe like I do or worship in the same way? You know what I've come to realize? I'm not OK and I need all you other Christians to make it in this life. And I do believe that just happens to be God's design.

I may not have very many common interests with you, but I need you anyway. I may not agree with all your beliefs or doctrines, but I need you anyway. I may not even like your personality, but I still need you. In other words, I'm not OK by myself. I need the body. I need help (okay, maybe I'm not the best example, 'cause everyone knows I need help)!

I think we turn a huge corner in our spiritual lives when we "get" this. We start applying sermons to our own lives (instead of the people next to us). We start listening to God's voice (instead of our own). We start caring for others (instead of ourselves). Things actually start changing because we realize we need help and we're not in this alone. Nor do we have to be.

Admit it. You need help too. And you know what? I'm committed to being there for you.

God's Perspective

I met with Jesus in a flash of time the other day and I'm still working out the meaning of it all. The scene that played out before me was more vivid than I usually experience during these times and I can still see it clearly. Here's what happened:

I stood before a giant waterfall crashing down into a small river before me. The falls was on my left and the water flowed to the right, down a slight grade. It was dusty, desert-type ground with a few boulders scattered around the area. Jesus stood on a boulder in the middle of the river where the spray was not quite reaching him. The water was a beautiful deep blue and the falls coming from the rocky cliff almost seemed to surround me; I was truly immersed in the scene. It was a serene moment, but I quickly realized something was "off." Then it hit me- the water wasn't making any noise! It was falling so far and in such quantity with the appropriate spray, but there was no sound at all!

I was puzzled, so I looked to Jesus, who then jumped down from the boulder and beckoned me to follow him. I went with him around the left side of the cliff/falls and saw that it was fake. It was like going behind the scenes on a movie set- the back was all cardboard with a couple of long wooden supports holding it all up (I could even see the typical single lightbulb hanging from the ceiling with a pull chain!). There was a huge, thin ladder leading all the way up to the top of the fake cliff/falls. I climbed the ladder and at the top, I could see the beautiful scene below me that I was standing in the midst of only moments ago. But from here, I could easily tell it was all fake. It was obvious. One moment, I was all caught up in the wonder and beauty of the scene- it was so breath-taking! The next, I could see through it to the truth- it was a total sham.

Now this whole scene flashed very quickly through my mind while I was talking with another person. After asking Jesus what he was trying to tell me through it, this is what I got:

"It is easy for you to get all caught up in the outward apprearance that people present; you want to believe the best of them (I placed that desire within you). But when you listen to me and let me show you the truth, the fancy outward picture they put on display for the public to see, is often only a hollow fake. It is propped up by so little, it could come crashing down in a simple moment of crisis and leave them broken and desolate. That doesn't mean you are to point that out to them, rather you are to understand the fragile nature of the image people project of themselves and build them up so they can get to the reality I desire for them.

"There are tip-offs that will give it all away if you are open to letting me show you- like the soundless water and the desert ground, which should have been green and fertile with so much water around. But when you look from my perspective (above it all), you can easily see their need. Always let me help you help them."

I wonder what kind of image I project to others? How truthful am I with myself about where I am in my life? Oh Lord, I'm willing to see what you want to show me. Open my eyes to your perspective of myself and others. Then help us all move toward the reality you have for us.

Do Not Forbid Him!

I can't say it any better than this, so I'm pasting in the whole devo below:

Do Not Forbid Him!

John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.”—Mark 9:38

At first glance, it appears a noble thing that Jesus' disciples kept such careful guard over the orthodoxy of Jesus' ministry. They found someone casting out demons in Jesus' name who was not a part of their group and not under their control, and they demanded that he stop. Yet Jesus saw through His disciples' hypocrisy. The disciples themselves had been given the power to drive out demons as well (Matt. 10:8), yet they had failed miserably (Mark 9:28).

How it must have embarrassed the disciples to have publicly failed to cast out a demon from a young boy. Yet, here was someone successfully exorcising demons who was not even regularly with Jesus as they were. They should have been concerned with their own lack of spiritual power and vitality. They should have felt convicted by their Lord's stinging rebuke at their lack of faith (Matt. 17:20). Instead, they focused on others. Rather than repenting of their sin and grieving over their spiritual impotence, the disciples attempted to hinder someone who was enjoying spiritual success.

At times, it is easier to diminish others' spiritual victories than to honestly confront our own failures. Jesus' response to His disciples must have surprised them as He said, “Do not forbid him” (Mark 9:39). He assured them that “he who is not against us is on our side” (v. 40). Have you learned this vital lesson? Are you able to genuinely rejoice in the spiritual victories of others? Are you encouraging those who serve the Lord in a different way or who belong to a different group than you do? —Experiencing God Day by Day

----
Yeow! Stings, don't it?

Do You Need to Refocus?

It is so easy to become spiritually distracted. Do you find yourself focusing on everything else but Christ and the work He is doing around you? Are you so eager to “get to the work” that you have not yet clearly heard what is on God's heart? Does the Father need to remove from your life those things that are proving to be a distraction to you? Do you need to refocus on Jesus? —Experiencing God Day by Day

This concluded one of my devotional readings this morning. It made me realize that I often get stuck doing things for God to the detriment of being with God. So I stopped what I was doing, closed my eyes (to minimize distractions) and listened to God. Really listened.

I asked Jesus where he wanted to meet me and we ended up in my heart. Now for those of you who have not yet read Can You Hear Me?, your heart is a place where you can often find Jesus. He likes hanging around there- especially if you have given him freedom to do what he wants there. My heart was a lot like a Hobbit's home- you went down a long hallway, deep into the dark earth to enter a cozy living room with a low ceiling, lots of throw pillows and a wide fire place. But Jesus has been renovating! There was a large area that he closed off with a large curtain. The gist of what he was doing, was making a large sun room enclosed in glass. I have been dying to know when he was going to let me in and see it!

This morning was the unveiling of not only the new sun room, but his master plan for my whole heart! I discovered he wants to make my heart transparent for all to see what's going on and the relationship we have together there. Now for a person who sees his heart as a Hobbit hole hidden deep within the earth, to discover God wants to open it up for all to see . . . was a bit unnerving! But he understands, so he only opened up a section today. Now the whole place looks like a dome of glass with a cozy, round living room, a round white couch (still lots of pillows!) surrounding a round coffee-like table in the middle. There is no longer a fire place- rather the fire burns a few inches off the table in the middle and the fire is a deep blue (representing God's holiness). Jesus removed half of the dirt burrying the whole place, so that half is exposed and half is still underground. A bit of a comfort, until I'm ready to uncover the rest of the place.

As I look out through the sun porch (actually the whole front is exposed to the Son now!), I can see people walking by and looking in. They are curious and interested in what is happening inside. Jesus has assured me that they can only see in and the details of our relationship are just for the two of us. Some other things happened, but this is getting long.

I've still got lots of work to do for God today. But it will happen much easier now that I've taken the time to really listen to God and be with him first.

Wow! I sure needed to refocus!

Anybody "There" Yet?

1. O the bitter shame and sorrow
That a time could ever be
When I let the Saviour's pity
Plead in vain, and proudly answered:
All of self and none of thee!

2. Yet he found me; I beheld him
Bleeding on th' accursed tree,
Heard him pray: Forgive them, Father!
And my wistful heart said faintly:
Some of self and some of thee!

3. Day by day his tender mercy,
Healing, helping, full and free,
Sweet and strong and, ah! so patient,
Brought me lower, while I whispered:
Less of self and more of thee!

4. Higher than the highest Heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, thy love at last has conquered;
Grant me now my spirit's longing:
None of self and all of thee!
. . .Theodore Monod (1836-1921)—Song Book of The Salvation Army

So where are you in this experience process? Oh, I don't mean what you would tell your Corps Officer (what they want to hear), I mean truthfully! Can you face it honestly?

I must admit, I most often find myself right in the middle of verse two with some heavy leaning toward verse three every now and then. After all- none of self? Tell me, anybody "there" yet?

Oh Lord, grant my desire to reach this place, that I may be fully useful to your purposes in my life.

"MY" Schedule?

Heather's blogging again! And she's writing similar thoughts to mine (great minds and all...). Cool! Check out the ArmyBarmy Blog for Saturday, Feb 19. Then read on here (click my title above to go right there).

Last week, as many of you regular readers know, I was sick. The kind of sick that makes you stay home in bed because you can't walk, talk or sleep. But I can only handle a few days of that, so I went to the office Friday after cell group and lunch. Besides, I was feeling better.

After a short while, I realize I'm still too weak to do all I wanted to do, but I check my mail-box anyway. I find a message from a couple who needs counceling now! One of the two was raised a Salvation Army Officer's kid, but has since left the church. Where to go in a crisis? Call the local Army Officer!

"Great! This is what I was made for!" I think, but realize I'm wasted. "O God, I can't! I can hardly talk! What if I pass out talking to them?" (Did somebody raise the temperature in this office?). But I pick up the phone and call anyway- maybe I can schedule a time next week . . . Nope. They've got professional counseling set up next week and want immediate help before then. It's now or never.

"Okay. Come on over, we'll be here." I know I just heard myself say that, but I can hardly believe it. Maybe I was halucinating! Minutes later, Deb and I find ourselves meeting with a couple in crisis. We didn't solve their problems, but we did remind them of the one who is their answer! And my voice lasted right to the end (but no longer)!

God set that appointment up for us, Friday. Oh he didn't cause the problem in the first place, but he did arrange for a connection to his body to share his love. I wonder what good he was able to do through us? I pray we find out and keep in touch.

What would have happened if I didn't go the extra mile? I'm not sure I really care to find out.

“[Love] has never cared about my schedule. It just barges in whenever it wants to.” - Miriam Makeba

Amen!

It Takes Two

It takes two to tango. So the saying goes- I wouldn't know, because I can't tango! However, I get the point.

There are a lot of things that take two people to happen. Discussion, friendship, communication, fights, community, etc. Do you get the point? Here's where I'm headed today: it takes two to be part of a Christian fellowship.

I've been a leader of a "Christian fellowship" for quite a few years. Over those years, I've noticed a very wide variety of types of people who comprise those fellowships. Now, I'm not big on compartmentalizing people, but sometimes, its just obvious. I've observed that, as far as getting involved in any fellowship, there are 4 types of people:

1) The Try Hards.
These people believe and practice the saying: "You get what you put into something." So they work hard at developing relationships with people. They usually get a lot out of their relationships, because, well- they've put a lot into them!

2) The Circumstancers.
These people feel like developing relationships sometimes, so then they do. But when they don't feel like it, they don't. Depends on the circumstances. Needless to say, they experience on-again-off-again relationships.

3) The Halfers (halvers?).
These people work at developing relationships with some of the people (maybe half), because they only like some (probably less than half) of the people. The rest they don't want to relate to, because they're just so different than them.

4) The Try Nots.
These people don't try at all to develop relationships with the people of their church. They believe everyone else is supposed to come to them (and go out of their way) time and time again, even with no effort on their part to respond. Interesting note: You can be sure they talk the loudest about how no one cares about them. No one talks to them or no one ever makes any effort toward them. They even say this to the very people who work the hardest at bringing them deeper into the fellowship. These people are often church-hoppers, going from place to place never finding the perfect Christian fellowship.

{Ahem} It takes two.

Maybe I shouldn't feel this way, but I'm tired of cajoling people to be a part of my fellowship and then hearing how no one really cares about them. What am I? Chopped liver? I care- I really do. On Sundays, there are tons of people who want personal time with me and I make it a point to give it to them. Yet it's inevitable that I leave the corps feeling like I should have talked with so-and-so. In the end, I know I talked with everyone who really wanted to connect with me. But those who thought someone should have come to them, usually leave feeling angry or hurt that no one came to them.

I may be exasperated now and then, but I'm not ready to give up on these people yet. One of these days, God's going to break through in their lives and they're going to see that relationships don't just happen! It takes two.

Where Seldom is Heard an Encouraging Word

This last week Dan called me. It was a short call, since I was sick. He just wanted to see how I was doing and say he was praying for me to get better. Then he hung up and I sat there thinking: "Wow! That's the way it's supposed to work!" I could probably count the times that's happened to me in my life on one hand! Wouldn't it be nice if we all did simple things like that to encourage each other (not to mention actually pray for each other)?

We're not always very good at connecting with people even though we know it's one of the most important ways we can show our care and concern. It's so simple, yet it packs such a powerful punch. So why do we have such trouble following through? Here are some thoughts:

1) Maybe we really don't care about (certain) people.
Ouch! That hurts! But we better look this one square in the face if we expect to get any better at relating to God's people.

2) Maybe we feel we don't have anything special to offer.
What's so special about calling someone to tell them you care? Lots!

3) Maybe we don't want to look like we're "brown-nosing" (the leader).
As long as that's not your purpose, who cares what others think?

4) Maybe we forget.
Make notes to remind yourself. Put them on the floor where you know you're going to walk- you won't miss them (but other people will pick them up for you)!

5) Maybe we don't want to bother them- especially if they're sick.
So make it quick. That gets your point across and lets them get back to resting.

6) Maybe . . .
Sounds to me like we're just trying to make excuses!

I must admit, I'm not always very good at connecting with or encouraging people even though I know how important it is. But after I experienced how good it felt this past week, I want to do better. Just don't pick up my notes from the floor!

Cool Comercial

I saw this interesting commercial on another blog recently. It's good to see quality Christian ads (that aren't from cults!) getting out there.

It's only a few seconds, so I encourage you to click on my title above to go to their site and watch for yourself (click near the upper left). They ask a good question, huh?

What do you think about their approach? Will it work? Will it make people think and/or change their mind about God?

A Challenge

A friend of mine, Xander, has a wonderful blog you should read daily. He's got some good stuff in him and he often gets it down in his blog for all to read and think about. Like the entry for Tuesday, January 15. Click this entry's title above to go there. Read it, then read on here . . .

I get the picture, but I also think we should go on about tithing. So many people think this is something they can ignore and still be good, solid Christians. I don't think so. Learning to be generous like our God (tithing is a part of that), is foundational to moving with the Holy Spirit. Our God is so generous to us when he gives his Spirit, we can't hold much of him in us if we too aren't able to give out generously. He only pours into us if we pour out of us.

Some people "Get as much as they can, can it, then sit on the can." Nope. God won't honor that practice with more of his Spirit. That's one of the reasons God works with us broken vessels- so what he puts in, will naturally flow out to others (and why we need to go back to him daily to get filled up again- better yet, go to him constantly to keep the flow steady, else we get drained too fast).

Why is it we can't seem to "get it" about tithing? Why is it we can trust God for our eternal salvation, but we can't trust him with a few measly dollars? The more stingy we are about giving, the less money we're going to have- period. And it's not that God wants to punish you. Rather, by not giving, you put yourself in The Enemy's hands (by being like him) and give him permission to take from you! You'll never have enough then. This is one of those holes you can't dig yourself out of. If you don't trust God in this area, your ends will never meet.

Debbie's and my testimony about tithing is incredible. God has shown us his faithfulness by out-giving us so many times- it's just second nature to us now. We will never out-give him, but we're going to try! And for that faithfulness on our part, God continues to provide for us in ways that are nothing short of miraculous! I could go on and on here with unbelievable examples.

I challenge you to test God in this. You know this is the only thing that God allows you to test him about (check out Malachi)? He's so convinced it will change your life and faith, he gives you permission to test him in its truth! Then watch how much more of his Spirit he can trust you with.

So put your money where your heart is. Watch God blow you away!

A Soldier's Day of Renewal

Last Sunday was our Soldier's Day of Renewal. Many brought their original Covenants with them for reference. We talked about our Covenant as Soldiers and whether or not we were actually fulfilling what we promised when we signed on the dotted line. We swore-in our newest Soldier: Clarise Smith. She loves the Lord and is so excited about joining this Army for the fight! Glad to have you by our side, Clarise! Get out there and bring them in from the fields of sin!

There's eleven good points in our Covenant, but we specifically looked at three.

Point 9: I will be actively involved, as I am able, in the life, work, worship and witness of the corps, giving as large a proportion of my income as possible to support its ministries and the worldwide work of the Army.

Point 1: I will be responsive to the Holy Spirit's work and obedient to His leading in my life, growing in grace through worship, prayer, service and the reading of the Bible.

Point 8: I will be faithful to the purposes for which God raised up The Salvation Army, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, endeavoring to win others to Him and in His name caring for the needy and the disadvantaged.

To our Soldiers: Are you living out the Covenant you signed? Are you fulfilling your promises? Hey- don't get mad at me for challenging you- no one's drafted in this Army! We all signed of our own free will. You promised. You signed the Covenant. It's up to you to be faithful.

To those not Soldiers (yet): Are you ready to make a serious commitment to wage a real knock-down, drag-out fight-to-the-finish war? Only those aching to win the world for Jesus need apply. We have no other jobs in this Army.

Wouldn't you Know it?

I'm telling you- if I didn't know I was in a war, this would wake me up! Here's my discovery for the week- everytime I talk to someone about fighting off sickness, The Enemy attacks! Just so you know where I'm coming from, After my blog 8 days ago, I started a full out battle with sickness! Just like the last time I spoke with someone about fighting off sickness (and the time before that). Hmmm.

Sounds like my beliefs get a little too close to home, so Satan comes at me with a huge one. I fought valiently (I thought). I kept it at bay for days. Then almost immediately after I finished my sermon Last Sunday, it hit me like a ton of bricks! My voice is a wreck. I ache all over. My throat hurts and my head feels bigger than some people think it is! Wouldn't you know it?

I went to the doctor yesterday for some medicine, then spent the better part of the day in bed; probably will today as well. And I started to wonder if I should ever talk about fighting off sickeness again! "Maybe if I keep quiet," I thought, "I'll stay healthy like I have for the last few years." I mean, this is two illnesses in as many months. BUT! Don't worry- I know better! If The Enemy has to come at me this hard after I talk about fighting off sickness, then he is just helping me prove my point and I'm tenacious enough to stand my ground. I love it when I can turn the tables on him!

I'm not shut up that easily (as many people can attest)! I still believe Jesus' blood paid the price for my total salvation and I'm putting all my eggs in that basket.

So Who is Travis Roberts?

(One of our two War College Interns this year (May - July)

Name: Travis Roberts

Age: 20

Home: St. Augustine, Florida

TSA Background: My parents are Corps Officers and I have been affiliated with TSA my entire life. I am my home corps band. I play my cornet every almost every Sunday because no one wants to learn to play piano and there is no guitar music for the songs in our song book. I am the YPSM (though I don't do a whole lot with that title) in St. Augustine and I assist with the Corps Cadet lessons. I have worked with TSA's Camp Keystone for the past three summers as a counselor and am now attending The War College (just in case anyone forgot).

Favorite Food: Cheese, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Lasagna.

Favorite Color: Green.

Favorite Band/Song: The O.C. Supertones.

Favorite Movie: Ghost Busters ("Back off, man! I'm a scientist...").

Favorite Quote: It's always good to soar with the eagles but a weasle will never get caught in the engine of an airplane.

Instrument: Cornet, Guitar (I know six chords and just recently learned how to play Earth Angel).

Brief testimony/thot: Who has a brief testimony? I can try. I was always a good kid my whole life. I figured I had to be, because my parents were officers. Then my first year at Music Conservatory, on the last day the DYS spoke on being lukewarm. I had never heard that before. I felt God saying to me "Yeah, you need to get real with me." I said "Okay, sounds good!" He's been trying to take total control of my life ever since and I have only recently let him (mostly). The years following, I continued being a good kid. Until I went to the Arkansas Oklahoma division. I met guys there who were seriously on fire for Christ: I decided I wanted what they had. I got the joy of the Lord and it's been with me ever since. I grew so much spiritually those years, but I still see myself as a child in Christ. I've recently realized I should just stop making plans for my life and let Christ do it. My plans usually don't line up with his. So now I'm just waiting and listening for the next phase of my life.

A word about coming to Bangor: I'm pysched!

So Who is Aurora Atell?

(One of our two War College Interns this Year (May - July)

Name: Aurora Stefanya Catherine Elizabeth Atell
(We'll just call her Aurora!)

Age: 24

Home: London, Ontario

TSA Background: I came into TSA through an open air tent meeting. It was a magic show for kids. I won a pencil and got to help out with some of the magic tricks. We later discovered that TSA had a van that came right by our complex every week to pick up kids for Sunday School. I literally jumped on the bandwagon, got swept into corps activities, Jr. Soldiers, Singing Company, Corps Cadets, youth band, timbrels, youth group, all the good stuff! I went through Soldiership classes at age 14, was enrolled at 15 and continued being active in the church, helping to lead Jr. Soldiers, the worship team, songsters, run the summer VBS, work at camp as a counsellor and waitress. In 2003, I joined a summmer missions team to Regent Park, Toronto, with Captains Geoff and Sandra Ryan. They caught me on the bug for missions and for authentic Christian community through what I thought were rather 'non-traditional' means. Then I came to War College, and realized that these 'non-traditional' means were actually part of the grass roots of the Army. We were called into a life of simplicity, which is totally an exciting thought to me, and a great challenge! How much in my life can I do without? Jesus sent his disciples out to be his witnesses with no more than the robe on their backs....how much are you willing to let go of? When all is said and done, all that will be left of me will be what was built on the only solid foundation, which is Jesus Christ. Everything that is of Him will remain, everything else is fuel for the fire. I'm thinking fire now beats fire later any day!

Favorite Food: Grilled Chicken ceasar salad, or Taco salad (in a tortilla bowl, with salsa and sour cream....uber yummy!)

Favorite Color: orange, gotta be orange!

Favorite Band/Song: 666...! (I love how even the devil's number has been redeemed in our songbook!....Heaven came down, and GLORY filled my soul...beautiful rendering of the gospel!)

Favorite Movie: Dead Man Walking, Shawshank Redemption, The Castle, Robin Hood Men in Tights, Princess Bride, the Incredibles (has some amazing gospel moments!), and the classic....Singing in the Rain! (Don O'Connell is probably the best overlooked actor I can think of...a great physical actor, with amazing musical talents as well!)

Favorite Quote: "Let us have no hesitancy in permitting our spiritual imagination to reinforce our FAITH and enkindle our HOPE and so sustain our COURAGE in the face of massed and mocking foes and thretened defeat" (Comm. Samuel Logan Brengle, Ancient Prophets).

Instrument: Piano, double bass (the upright kind), euphonium are the main ones.

Brief testimony/thot: God's God, I'm not. Sweet Deal!

A word about coming to Bangor: I have to admit, Bangor was completely not on my scope of possibilities for summer placements when I first came to Vancouver, but after meeting Major Doug Burr, God started piecing together a few things for me. I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone there, to get to know you, to hear what God is doing in your lives. Beracah and Jennifer have already started preparing me for life on the East Side and Jesus has already placed a love in my heart for all of you. I hear the seafood is excellent and the seawater is extremely cold, but looking forward to experiencing all that for myself when I get there.

Obey

Does God ever tell you to do something and you just can't figure out why? You try to make sense of it, but it just doesn't happen. Here's an example from my own experience: "Pick up that blue scrap of paper on the ground and throw it in the trash."

So I look down and see paper scraps all over the place! It looks like someone dumped a trash can nearby and the wind blew it everywhere. Do you want me to clean up all this trash, Lord? "No. Pick up that blue scrap of paper and throw it in the trash."

By now, I've walked long past that piece of paper and I'm in a hurry. I still take a few more steps, but as I do, I realize I'm just going to have to go back further, because God's not going to let me off the hook! So I stop and turn around. The wind has blown that little scrap further away and I now have to go chase it!

But chase it I do. When I get it, I look for a trash can and can't see one anywhere! So I end up carrying that little blue scrap of paper with me for the next few minutes looking for a trash can and wondering what in the world this is all about. Well, there's a trash can. I toss it in and continue on my way, still wondering what that was all about. In fact, I'm still wondering today! I even began to wonder if I was indeed hearing from God or if I was just somehow making it all up in my mind.

Here's what I read in my devo book this morning: "Sometimes our obedience changes the lives of total strangers and sometimes it might even change the world. But most of the time, the impact of our obedience is seen only in our own hearts and in the joy of our God as he delights over a child who trusts him enough to obey him."

Hmmm. Good thought. 1 Samuel 15:22 says

What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than fat offerings.

I guess God was pleased that I listened to his voice- even in something as simple as picking up a piece of paper when it didn't make much sense to me. Maybe especially so, just because I was obedient.

The word for the day? Obey.

to Grump or not to Grump

No one likes a grumpy person. Oh, we kid around about grumps, but the bottom line is we'd rather not hang around them. Why? Because it's contageous. Before you even know it, you're feeling grumpy too. Then nothing seems to go right.

I recently heard a story about a man in Africa who got a flat tire in the middle of nowhere. He had no spare, so he took the tire off and walked miles to the nearest town, singing as he went. He didn't even have any money to get the tire fixed! But he did get it fixed (God provided and he knew he would). Then he walked back to his car singing all the way. Now that's a witness for what Christ can do in your life! I remember the last time I got a flat tire- I was none too happy about it for a long time- and I had a spare that was easily changed.

I love to be around people who really trust God. Not the kind who say they do, but the kind who really do. You can tell, because they don't get riled up about anything. They trust God to be in any situation and provide a way out of it- or at least through it. I'd like to be like that. It's probably going to take some practice.

Now let's start practicing . . . as I'm shoveling almost 20" of snow- and it's still snowing! Grumble, grumb . . . oops- Praise the Lord!

A Blessings Calendar

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
- TSA Songbook #396

I used to keep a "Happiness Calendar." The idea was to write special (happy) events that have happened in your life on a one-year calendar. After a few years, you end up with something that you can look through and remember all the things that make you happy.

Here's an idea for a variation: keep a Blessings Calendar! Write on the calendar all your special blessings as they happen. That way, when you feel discouraged or "tempest-tossed," you can easily count your blessings! Also, I should think it would be a great way to start your day- remembering what great blessing God gave you on this day in the past.

In fact, you wouldn't have to wait- you can start right away, filling in special blessings you already remember without any help. Here's a few I would put on my calendar without hesitation:

June 19 - My Wedding Day!
Sept 26 - Debbie's Birthday!
July 30 - Jennifer's Birthday!
July 29 - Christopher's Birthday!
Nov 11 - Miriam's Birthday! (our sponsored Child in Mexico)
June 10 - My Commissioning . . .

Well you get the idea. Why not catch "the bug" and give it a try? Who knows, the calendar may prove to be a great blessing in and of itself!

PS: let me know how it works for you.

Evangelism Quotes

I just love these Evangelism Quotes! I found them doing a Google search for "While Women Weep..." In fact, William Booth is quoted more than once in these.

These great thoughts will certainly grab you more than anything I could say today. But I would ask that you not just bleep over them- ask God to wedge them deep within and urge you toward finding and bringing in the Lost. As Steve Court says, "It's Jesus or hell." Ooo- Pick Jesus, pick Jesus!

Click on the title "Evangelism Quotes" above to be redirected to that webpage.

Peace that Guards

At this moment, I am not at peace. My temperature has risen and my heart is beating a little faster than usual. There have been many (way more than usual) issues that have come up at the office this morning that are irritating. Oh, I can deal with 1 or 2, here and there, but when a lot of them come up at pretty much the same time, I find myself stressed and if I look at it clearly, I am not at peace.

This AM my devotional spoke to me about God's Peace. Am I surprised? I kinda bleeped over it, thinking "I know all about peace." But now I find myself drawn back to the scripture with a tight heart (no worries- not a heart attack, just an attack of the heart! There is a difference).

Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful. [16] Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. [17] And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.
- Colossians 3:15-17 (NLT)

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

I am struggling so that whatever I do or say, I will not respond how I want to, rather how Jesus would respond. I am finding the more I "breathe deliberately" and meditate on God's word above, the room seems a little cooler and I can't feel my heart drumming in my ears! A little more of this and I'll find myself back in balance and able to deal with these irritations from a position of God's peace. That's where I always want to be!

Ah, that's better! That's the peace that guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

A Baby Step in Wholeness

Are you up for a long one today? I just got a question from a friend who asked how I fight off sickness. Here's my answer (modified a bit for this forum).

The key is not so much in what you know as what you believe and then stand on as a promise. Let's start with scripture and definitions (emphasizing the important words):

[Jesus] was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

HEALED = rapha', (Hebrew 7495, Strong’s) a primitive root; properly to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figurative) to cure: cure, (cause to) heal, physician, repair, thoroughly, make whole. See Hebrew 7503 (raphah).

PEACE = shalowm, (Hebrew 7965, Strong’s) from Hebrew 7999 (shalam); safe, i.e. (figurative) well, happy, friendly; also (abstract) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace: do, familiar, fare, favour, friend, great, (good) health, (perfect, such as be at) peace (-able, -ably), prosper (-ity, -ous), rest, safe (-ty), salute, welfare, (all is, be) well, wholly.

The Hebrew concept of Shalom is not just a greeting- it means "I wish you to be perfectly whole." That's not just spiritual, but emotional and physical as well- we are triune beings (as God is triune- we were made in his image). We usually spiritualize the Bible's message forgetting the other two aspects of what we are. Jews would not think that way. So to "have shalom," would mean you are whole- physically, spiritually and emptionally.

The word translated "healed," above, means the entire person is whole- not just spiritually- it includes the emotional and physical. So what this verse is saying is that Jesus' death paid the entire price- not only for our spiritual selves to be set free from the curse of sin, but includes our emotional (inner healing) and physical selves (bodies) as well. It is God's intent that we live in Shalom.

Again, we usually spiritualize the message and apply it to our "spiritual salvation." That's good, but it's only 1/3 of the entire message and meaning! But, I read it as God has provided a complete salvation from the effects of sin over our entire beings. Therefore, If I can believe in Faith that Jesus' sacrifice paid the price for my sin and he has forgiven me and set me free from it (1) spiritually, then I can also believe in Faith that Jesus' sacrifice paid the price for my sin and he has forgiven me and set me free from the (2) emotional baggage I carry (inner healing). I can also believe in Faith that Jesus' sacrifice paid the price for my sin and he has forgiven me and set me free from my (3) physical sickness/pain/issues as well. Whew! That's a mouthful and you'll need to unpack it for yourself, but I believe it to be truth.

So, just as we believe we are saved because we have Faith in God to forgive our sins and make us spiritually whole, we can also have Faith that our emotional baggage can be removed and make us emotionally whole. And the same is true for our physical bodies- we believe in Faith that we should be living whole- "sick-free," so to speak. Jesus' sacrifice was not partial, it was complete! Hallelujah!

When you feel sickness coming on, have Faith you do not have to receive it. It is The Enemy coming at you trying to convince you that you can't live in the fullness Jesus has already paid for you to live in. But that's a LIE! Fight it off!

As I said above, it takes time to get these thoughts from our mind into our heart, but when we do, we can stand against what The Enemy throws at us. We don't have to live in sickness. Sometimes it takes a quick prayer to fight it off, sometimes it takes a huge protracted struggle. I believe the times I have gotten sick since I internalized this truth, are because I did not take the time to properly fight them off. And when you don't stand up and fight, it takes over and you get sick (or I have not been taking care of my physical body by not sleeping enough or eating good, healthy foods). This is my experience.

I used to get sick all the time. Then I started fighting against it. Now I rarely get sick. Again, I believe when I do, it's because I haven't fought hard or long enough. And don't you Sometimes feel like you could actually use the rest of getting sick? You know, you feel it coming on, then concede you've "got a cold" because you'd just as soon take the time off to "rest!" I hated discovering this thought process in me! Yuck.

Now this is a baby step in Faith. I have a long way to go- especially when you start to consider something as huge as cancer- or even death! But I'm happy with my baby step. I pray God will illumine me more and I will get to take another step one day.

Resistance is Futile

Here we go again! This morning I was privileged to lead another 2 back into The Kingdom! This is awesome!

I was a bit late getting to the Soup Kitchen this morning (Satan loves to throw little things my way that need correcting before the Service), so I was bummed to find only a few people still eating- and they were involved in a big conversation I didn't feel right interjecting myself into. But after everything was cleaned up, two other guys came in (even later than me!). While eating, one of them asked me if we had a service (get that- he asked me if we had a service!). Talk about jumping right in with both feet! Patrick eventually came to the adult Bible class and then the meeting.

After the message, we were listening to God speak to us with some soft music playing in the background. I went to Patrick, who seemed to be under conviction. 'Nuff said! While I was praying with him, one of our kids was also under conviction by the Holy Spirit. I motioned for Dan to pray with him and I joined them when Patrick was settled. Now Charlie is back in the fold. Both are coming to our SuperBowl party tonight!

I was then about to offer to bring Patrick home with us for lunch, but I sensed God wanted Dan to hook up with him. So I asked if Dan could take him to lunch. As they drove off in Dan's car, I felt "something good is going to come of their new connection in Christ."

I am super excited about our 5 new family members in Christ! However, I would ask for your prayer support in discovering a way we can not only get people saved, but disciple them as well. We need ways to connect and assimilate.

How's this for a new theme for our corps: Resistance is Futile- we're praying for you!

Why penguins have short life-spans.

Who Cares?

Your answer could depend on how you say that question. Your inflection could mean you obviously don't care and who else would either? Or it could mean God's gotten hold of your spirit and is digging around in there (he so loves doing that!) dredging up desires to reach out to a lost and dying world. A world that, for the most part, doesn't know Jesus. I'm not perfect in this area, but it certainly does matter to me lately. I care! Here's my condensed thoughts on the matter:

1) We need to help people.
We live in a selfish society. Other's needs? Who Cares? It's all about me! Isn't it high time we got out of ourselves and started helping others? There are plenty of opportunities all around us. No matter where you are, you can help someone else.

Oh, I can hear it now . . . but I don't have time!

2) Stop whining and change your schedule!
Is that TV show really that important? Get a VCR! Is your schedule so inviolate that you can't be a Christian? So what are you hanging around for? I'm sure there are plenty other churches that welcome bench-warmers. Not The Salvation Army! We're all about winning this world for Jesus and we can't do it without people who can adjust their schedules. It's God's timing or ours, after all.

Don't have enough time? Get up earlier. Sleep is over-rated and we usually sleep way too much anyway. No one has any more time that anyone else- 24/7. That's it. It's all in how you use that precious time God has given you. I bet you have plenty of time to do the things that are really important to you. Oops- that's it- are the lost important to you?

Want the Reader's Digest version? A rut is a hole and you won't get anyplace new if you stay in one. Put yourself out! Who cares about your schedule? People need you.

3) Witness.
Why does this seem so scary? Someone's dying; you save them from dying by introducing them to a friend. Why is that scary? It's incredible! Here's some truth: "The world is more ready to receive the gospel than Christians are to hand it out" (George Peters). I can tell you (especially after this week)- there's nothing better than to lead someone to Jesus! You don't need to know the whole Bible- just introduce them to Jesus- he'll take it from there.

So Who Cares? Don't tell me about it- show me! Do something about it. There's a lost world out there waiting for you!

An Encounter with God

A true encounter with God can transform your entire way of thinking.

I just love a testimony relating a "close encounter" with God that completely redirects a person's life! Jack Deere tells of his experience learning that God still speaks to his people today in an awesome book- "Surprised by the Voice of God." Likewise, I have had many such experiences. Here's one of my first:

We had a special guest, Kathy Schaller (now Kathy Gregg, I think), come to teach a seminar on Prayer and Intimacy with God. We had a workbook, but never got to it, because she said we needed some "prayer ministry." What was prayer ministry?! Oh well, sounds good- prayer and ministry put together.

So we all started to pray and she went around the room praying for people. I was near the front, so I couldn't see anyone she prayed for behind me. However, I knew who she was praying for! She was saying things she couldn't possibly have known about these people- she didn't even know their names, much less their personal struggles and such. It was incredible! But all the while, I'm stewing with jealousy- "Why are they getting all the good stuff? Didn't I ask her to come?"

Just then God spoke to me as clear as a bell (he didn't "speak" to me much before then- or rather, I didn't know it was him when he did speak!). "Don't you regularly ask me to touch people's live in this chapel? Well, that's just what I'm doing- relax, I'm answering your prayer!" My heart broke over my selfishness. Then, just when I became excited for what everyone else was getting, Kathy came up to me and started praying.

She spoke prophetic words over me- some I liked, others I didn't believe at the time. But within a year, everything she said had either happened or was happening! There was more to this "God stuff" than I had been taught!

That prayer ministry time changed my life. Since then, I have gotten much closer to God and he's taught me a lot about the truth of Christianity. It's not about religion, it's about relationship. A relationship with Jesus and his people.

I believe it- A true encounter with God can transform your entire way of thinking!

How is Your Record?

This is the "BURR" translation of Luke 10:25-37.

One day, a Doctor of Theology asked Jesus this question to see what he would do: "Great Scholar, what do I have to do to make it into heaven?"

[26] Jesus countered, "What do you think your Bible has to say about that?"

[27] The man replied, " 'I should love God with all my heart, soul, strength and mind.' Also, 'I should love my neighbor as much as I love myself.' "

[28] "Good answer!" Smiled Jesus. "Do this and you will be getting it right!"

[29] But the theologian wanted a more specific answer, so he asked another question, "So just who should I consider my neighbor?"

[30] Then Jesus told him a story: "A Christian man was walking downtown in Bangor one day and he was mugged by a group of thugs. They took all his fancy clothes and wallet, beat him up, and left him lying half dead on the sidewalk.

[31] "It just so happened, that a Salvation Army Officer came by on his way to the bank. When he saw the man lying there, he was afraid of having his deposit stolen, so he left the man there, back-tracked and went to the bank another way. [32] A short while later, a Salvation Army Soldier on his way to lunch walked by and saw the man lying there. But because he had little time and an appointment right after lunch, he also turned around and went down a different street to the deli.

[33] "Then a homeless man came along and when he saw the hurt man, he felt bad for him. [34] Kneeling down, the homeless man stopped the bleeding with a dirty rag and wrapped his cuts with a plastic bag. Then he put the man on his shopping cart and took him to the shelter, where he got him some clothes, a warm bed and helped him further. [35] The next day he called Social Services and arranged for them to provide for the man until he was back on his feet. 'If it costs more than you’re allowed to spend, I’ll pay for the rest with the deposit from the bottles and cans I collect.'

[36] "So which of these people do you think was a neighbor to the man who was mugged?" Jesus asked.

[37] The theologian responded with, "The one who showed him mercy."

Then Jesus said, "Of course. So how is your record of helping others?"

2 + 1 = 3!

I almost hesitate to mention this (you know in baseball, you don't mention a "no hitter!"), but I'm so excited, I'll just have to build a bridge and get over it! I just prayed with Mary to get saved! Here's the color commentary:

This morning, I was sitting at my desk, getting "stuff" done (it's necessary, but God help me- sigh). At 11:30 I had a meeting with Nicole (our Youth and Worship Pastor) about our need to expand our cell ministry, community, etc. While we were talking, I realized our Soup Kitchen had already started. Now earlier, I had agreed with God to eat lunch there today so I could talk with the people and witness, so I was a bit bummed when our meeting went longer than I had expected (however, let it be known that I always enjoy my meetings with Nicole! She's so awesome- I just love that girl!). Still trying to be odedient, I went to the Soup Kitchen late after we finished.

Today our Ladies League had prepared the meal, so I chatted for a moment with them as I got a plate together and headed into the dining room (Mmm! Ribs from Smokey Bones restaurant!). Oh no! There was hardly anyone there! Rats! So I sat with Mary, one of our long time corps attenders and member of the Ladies League. As we chatted about a variety of things, she said to me "you know, some day I want to get saved."

"Some day," I said? Why not today? How about right after we finish our meal? "Okay!" she replied! As time passed, the excitement was building in both of us while we talked about why she had never accepted Jesus into her life, when she had attended our corps for at least a couple of years. But when we were finished, we headed up to the chapel (we coulda done it right there, but it was quieter). There, Mary prayed after me and she became a saint! I then told her about the huge party God was throwing in heaven because she entered The Kingdom! Hooray!

This is getting really cool! 2 + 1 = 3 so far. I can deal with this evangelism stuff very nicely, thank-you very much! Go God!

Hey Rob, do you still feel silly about laying hands on me and imparting your gift of evangelism? Hmm? I'm thinking it worked!