Many of you have noticed my lack of blogging for some time now. It's unusual for me- especially after more than a year of daily entries, no matter what I was doing or where I was. I had hoped I'd be over this by now, but since I'm obviously not, I figure I ought to let you in on what's going on.
There's been a change that has affected me at a very deep spiritual level. I'm doing my best to overcome, but the effect is my writings are tending toward the negative. When that happens, I just hit delete or don't even start in the first place.
The last thing I want to do on this blog is be negative- that's not my purpose in blogging. I don't want to complain or cry "woe is me!" either, so the answer I have come up with for now is to not write at all- or at least, much less frequently.
I'm not happy with that temporary solution, but at least now you know what's going on. I am sure there is a positive solution and I will get to it eventually, but I'm also sure I need to do the work to get through it. It's just taking a lot longer than I would have imagined. Your prayers would be welcomed.
Below I offer the scripture passage God keeps sending me to. It speaks to me almost constantly and I recently read through it in the Message version which really wowed me!
Read it carefully. Don't bleep over it like we often do with passages we know well. God is in the savoring of scripture. In fact, it's a bit like honey (I would've said chocolate) when we lick it all up and relish it!
Psalm 91
You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai [The Almighty]'s shadow, 2 Say this:
"God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!"
3 That's right- he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. 4 His huge outstretched arms protect you- under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm.
5 Fear nothing- not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, 6 Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon.
7 Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. 8 You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses.
9 Yes, because God's your refuge, the High God your very own home, 10 Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. 11 He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. 12 If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. 13 You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick strong lions and serpents from the path.
14 "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me.
15 Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. 16 I'll give you a long life with a long drink of salvation!"
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Monday, July 24, 2006
Bad News, Phone Calls and Trust
You just know it’s bad news when the phone rings at 2:30 AM. I suppose people actually have good things happen to them at that time, but if they do, they don’t usually call someone else to tell them about it until at least the sun comes up!
First, you don’t want to wake up- you think you must be dreaming (I know my brain refuses to be jostled out of it’s dream state)! You roll over, reach for the phone and knock the alarm clock to the floor. Still fumbling, you finally pull the receiver off the hook, all the while clearing your voice so you don’t sound like you’re a frog when you grumble, “Fwhewo?”
Last night it was Jenn calling. She and Josh were traveling by bus on the red-eye from London to Boston to visit Mom & Dad and then participate in the Old Orchard Beach Pier Ministry coming up this weekend. Here’s the story:
They were stopped at the border and their bus had already left them behind. Apparently the “border patrol” did not believe they were telling the truth. Instead, they believed Josh & Jenn were leaving Canada forever to take up illegal residence in the USA. When Jenn tried to show them her Canadian residency paperwork, the guy refused to look at it or even listen to her attempt to explain. Their one-way tickets were all the proof he was willing to consider. Waving the bus on after gathering their luggage, he directed them to a pay phone. They called us, Mom & Dad Ivany and Elaine Gillingham (the pier ministry team leader, from London).
Have you ever been in a situation where you are incensed at an injustice, but you can do absolutely nothing about it? There was absolutely nothing we could do. We couldn’t call anyone. We couldn’t go anywhere. When Jenn hung up, we just laid there praying for over an hour before we could get anywhere near falling back to sleep.
Shortly after we did get back to sleep, the phone rang again. I again went through the 2:30 AM phone routine. When I woke up (about 2 minutes into the conversation I realized it was Jenn), she told us they had both been detained in a small room behind a large glass window where everyone passing through could see them sitting and (Jenn) crying. They felt like criminals- in fact, they even mug-shot and finger-printed Josh!
Then they were sent back across the bridge to the Canadian border. There they were met with much nicer guards who were very gracious to them and explained to Jenn that if she had left the country this way, she would have lost her status on her request for Canadian residency and would have had to start all the process over again (including over $1,000 in fees)! Whew! She’s been working (and paying) on that for months!
Now every time we contacted someone about whether Jenn could leave the country or not (before receiving her residency), we got a different answer! It appears to me that her status issue is all up to the guard who meets her at the border. If he’s in a good mood, she’s okay. If he’s in a bad mood . . . “do-over!”
So 2 hours later, Mom Ivany came to pick them up and take them to Toronto. Who knows what their next couple of weeks will look like, but it’s definitely NOT including time in Old Orchard Beach or the USA. {sniff}
Sounds to me like God had his hand in this- even though it gave us all a late night scare. I believe that and trust him no matter what the outcome is. Even if I’m not happy about it.
First, you don’t want to wake up- you think you must be dreaming (I know my brain refuses to be jostled out of it’s dream state)! You roll over, reach for the phone and knock the alarm clock to the floor. Still fumbling, you finally pull the receiver off the hook, all the while clearing your voice so you don’t sound like you’re a frog when you grumble, “Fwhewo?”
Last night it was Jenn calling. She and Josh were traveling by bus on the red-eye from London to Boston to visit Mom & Dad and then participate in the Old Orchard Beach Pier Ministry coming up this weekend. Here’s the story:
They were stopped at the border and their bus had already left them behind. Apparently the “border patrol” did not believe they were telling the truth. Instead, they believed Josh & Jenn were leaving Canada forever to take up illegal residence in the USA. When Jenn tried to show them her Canadian residency paperwork, the guy refused to look at it or even listen to her attempt to explain. Their one-way tickets were all the proof he was willing to consider. Waving the bus on after gathering their luggage, he directed them to a pay phone. They called us, Mom & Dad Ivany and Elaine Gillingham (the pier ministry team leader, from London).
Have you ever been in a situation where you are incensed at an injustice, but you can do absolutely nothing about it? There was absolutely nothing we could do. We couldn’t call anyone. We couldn’t go anywhere. When Jenn hung up, we just laid there praying for over an hour before we could get anywhere near falling back to sleep.
Shortly after we did get back to sleep, the phone rang again. I again went through the 2:30 AM phone routine. When I woke up (about 2 minutes into the conversation I realized it was Jenn), she told us they had both been detained in a small room behind a large glass window where everyone passing through could see them sitting and (Jenn) crying. They felt like criminals- in fact, they even mug-shot and finger-printed Josh!
Then they were sent back across the bridge to the Canadian border. There they were met with much nicer guards who were very gracious to them and explained to Jenn that if she had left the country this way, she would have lost her status on her request for Canadian residency and would have had to start all the process over again (including over $1,000 in fees)! Whew! She’s been working (and paying) on that for months!
Now every time we contacted someone about whether Jenn could leave the country or not (before receiving her residency), we got a different answer! It appears to me that her status issue is all up to the guard who meets her at the border. If he’s in a good mood, she’s okay. If he’s in a bad mood . . . “do-over!”
So 2 hours later, Mom Ivany came to pick them up and take them to Toronto. Who knows what their next couple of weeks will look like, but it’s definitely NOT including time in Old Orchard Beach or the USA. {sniff}
Sounds to me like God had his hand in this- even though it gave us all a late night scare. I believe that and trust him no matter what the outcome is. Even if I’m not happy about it.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
This Puns for You
This is my last day at Divisional music Camp. In case you've missed me, I hope to be bogging again soon. Until then, here's my attempt to placate you with some typical Burr-humor puns:
1. Two vultures board an airplane, each carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess looks at them and says, "I'm sorry, gentlemen, only one carrion allowed per passenger."
2. Did you hear that NASA recently put a bunch of Holsteins into low earth orbit? They called it the herd shot 'round the world.
3. Two boll weevils grew up in South Carolina. One went to Hollywood and became a famous actor. The other stayed behind in the cotton fields and never amounted to much. The second one, naturally, became known as the lesser of two weevils.
4. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, but when they lit a fire in the craft, it sank proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it, too.
5. A three legged dog walks into a saloon in the Old West. He slides up to the bar and announces: "I'm looking for the man who shot my paw."
6. Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root canal? He wanted to transcend dental medication.
7. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse. "But why?" they asked, as they moved off. "Because," he said, "I can't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer."
8. A woman has twins, and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named "Amal." The other goes to a family in Spain; they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Amal. Her husband responds, "They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Amal."
9. These friars were behind on their belfry payments, so they opened up a small florist shop to raise funds. Since everyone liked to buy flowers from the men of God, a rival florist across town thought the competition was unfair. He asked the good fathers to close down, but they would not. He went back and begged the friars to close. They ignored him. So, the rival florist hired Hugh MacTaggart, the roughest and most vicious thug in town to "persuade" them to close. Hugh beat up the friars and trashed their store, saying he'd be back if they didn't close up shop. Terrified, they did so, thereby proving that: Hugh, and only Hugh, can prevent florist friars.
10. And finally, there was a man who blogged ten different puns, in the hope that at least one of the puns would make his readers laugh. Unfortunately, no pun in ten did.
1. Two vultures board an airplane, each carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess looks at them and says, "I'm sorry, gentlemen, only one carrion allowed per passenger."
2. Did you hear that NASA recently put a bunch of Holsteins into low earth orbit? They called it the herd shot 'round the world.
3. Two boll weevils grew up in South Carolina. One went to Hollywood and became a famous actor. The other stayed behind in the cotton fields and never amounted to much. The second one, naturally, became known as the lesser of two weevils.
4. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, but when they lit a fire in the craft, it sank proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it, too.
5. A three legged dog walks into a saloon in the Old West. He slides up to the bar and announces: "I'm looking for the man who shot my paw."
6. Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root canal? He wanted to transcend dental medication.
7. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse. "But why?" they asked, as they moved off. "Because," he said, "I can't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer."
8. A woman has twins, and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named "Amal." The other goes to a family in Spain; they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Amal. Her husband responds, "They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Amal."
9. These friars were behind on their belfry payments, so they opened up a small florist shop to raise funds. Since everyone liked to buy flowers from the men of God, a rival florist across town thought the competition was unfair. He asked the good fathers to close down, but they would not. He went back and begged the friars to close. They ignored him. So, the rival florist hired Hugh MacTaggart, the roughest and most vicious thug in town to "persuade" them to close. Hugh beat up the friars and trashed their store, saying he'd be back if they didn't close up shop. Terrified, they did so, thereby proving that: Hugh, and only Hugh, can prevent florist friars.
10. And finally, there was a man who blogged ten different puns, in the hope that at least one of the puns would make his readers laugh. Unfortunately, no pun in ten did.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Guest Blogger #2
Today I offer another Guest Blogger who attended Booth-Tucker Institute in Vancouver, Canada this year- Mary MacKay from the Bangor Corps! We were so excited when Mary stated her desire to go this year (we're proud of you, Mary)!
Praise God for our Army who supports us by sending us to such vital spiritual events! You're in for another great blessing when you read of Mary's experience:
Booth Tucker Institute - June 23-30, 2006
by Mary macKay
Bed Bugs, roaches, and rats, oh my! Incarnational Living- I am not sure that I even fully understood what this was until now. I also know that a couple years ago I could not have gone to Vancouver all by myself, let alone stay in the "poorest postal code"’ in Canada and do things so completely out of my comfort zone. But this was the time- God's time, and I really felt that God wanted me to do this. So after a long day in the air and arriving in Canada just in time for Knee Drill (a really cool time of Praise, Worship and Prayer) I was off to find where I would stay for the next 7 days.
My next and first official day of BTI started off with a War Room (Prayer room) shift at 5 a.m. and would last until 8 a.m. I can honestly tell you that I have never, I repeat NEVER spent three hours in prayer at one time but this was awesome. I found that you could pray, sing, read your Bible, look out over the intersection of Hastings & Main, (the main intersection in the Downtown East Side), to see the people that have pretty much been there all night, and even do God inspired art work. I spent some time reading my Bible and God gave me the verse in Isaiah 42:6b-7 that says, "And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons." And I thought, "what am I going to do with this? Is it for me or someone else?" I really wasn't sure what to do with it so I marked it and prayed about it and for the people sitting and sleeping on the steps of the Carnegie Center (library etc).
The time passed very quickly and then it was off to Crosswalk to begin my day, and what would be every day, with "Praying the Bible." We then met with the other delegates and shared a time of "why we were there and what we expected to gain from the experience." I was then paired up with a young woman named Fleur to Prayer Walk in the DTES for 1/2 hour each day.
I do have to say that one of the things that affected me most was the day that we saw a young woman sitting on the sidewalk just down from Crosswalk, her shirt pulled up to expose her very pregnant belly, and she was shooting up. I found myself welling up with tears and Fleur began to pray as we walked. She prayed for the safety of that baby, protection from drugs and many other good things. I have thought of that young woman many times in the days since and pray for her as well.
After that we were paired up with our partner for our daily BTI Challenge. The challenges ranged to everything from prayer walking a local store (check out the size of the store before you decide to do this one!), to praying in a government building, obtaining a meal for a homeless individual using the barter system and no money of our own, praying for people in the safe injection site (they wouldn't let anyone in), to a number of other challenges. Lt.-Colonel Howie Burr and I tried several different challenges with a margin of success. We prayed thru a department store one day and set up a "free prayer booth" another day among other things. It was a good experience and definitely out of my comfort zone.
The lecturers for the week included Michael Collins, Associate Pastor of Cariboo Hill Corps; Captains Steve and Danielle; Ian Gillingham and Aaron White, from the War College. Great speakers, definitely anointed and qualified to speak at Booth Tucker College. They each had inspiring topics and gave us a lot to think about.
I think one of the highlights each day was the daily "dusting off" sessions. The scripture says that Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 10:14 "if any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to you message, shake its dust from you feet as you leave." If I am not mistaken, I believe that Charles Roberts coined the phrase, "dusting off." Each day 2 delegates were given their own time for some listening prayers and prophetic words of encouragement and other revelations. There was some powerful stuff happening each day!! Sherry's (another woman from Maine) dusting was incredibly powerful as she was baptized in the spirit.
My own dusting was very meaningful for me and I was encouraged to use my healing gift more and to accept it. (By the way, Howie, I went to the hospital the day after I came home and prayed with a soldier that had four cardiac arrests and surgery while I was away and not expected to make it. He is now in his own room at the hospital, was alert, and doing quite well when I saw him this past Sunday)! It was very encouraging, not only for the person receiving the blessing or dusting, but for those listening as well. Fleur would transcribe the words given and then a time of discussion would follow. It was incredible each time that someone would hit the mark straight on (Duh!?). We were listening to God and it should not have been a surprise to anyone!!
I had two more shifts in the War Room (both were 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.) and also went out on Tuesday night for Street Combat. I had no idea what to expect but Crystal (a young War College Student) was patient with me. We walked a bit, talked with some people (one of which Crystal had not seen for a while) and we ended the night with a quick dusting off session and prayer before joining with the Canteen from Cariboo Hill as they passed out soup and sandwiches and just talked with the people from the DTES. A highlight of this night (and I didn't have my camera) was seeing Howie, in full uniform (it was tunic Tuesday), with Lisa, sitting on the sidewalk in conversation with a gentleman from the street.
The War College also operates a coffee house/cafe out of the Crosswalk Building (an emergency sleeping mat shelter) a few nights of the week. The coffee house/cafe is called REcre8 (sound it out!) and serves coffee, tea, and refreshment. The delegates to BTI are also scheduled for shifts in the cafe. The guests are also invited to play games, talk, or just sit and enjoy the company if that is what they want. It is a great way for them to connect with the 614 corps and community.
I really feel that I was truly blessed by this experience and am praying into what to do with all that I learned during this week. I know that people at home were praying for my safety and God truly blessed me and protected me while in Vancouver. When I got out of my shifts at 11 p.m. in the War Room, Wes (one of the tenants in the apartment) was there to meet me and walk me home then and on our last night after Recre8 at 10ish p.m. Bram (one of our cadets from the SFOT) walked me home as well). I think all these people just felt I was too old to be out alone)! Whatever the reason, I know God's hand was definitely in it!! Thank you , Jesus!!
Oh, yeah, I am pretty sure the scripture given to me on the first day in the War Room was for me. One of my goals for the week was to leave Vancouver a changed person.
In the words of a Hillsong song,
I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk the path, I will run the race.
And I will never be the same again.
And I will never be the same again.
And I will never be the same again.
Jesus, may it be so.
Praise God for our Army who supports us by sending us to such vital spiritual events! You're in for another great blessing when you read of Mary's experience:
Booth Tucker Institute - June 23-30, 2006
by Mary macKay
Bed Bugs, roaches, and rats, oh my! Incarnational Living- I am not sure that I even fully understood what this was until now. I also know that a couple years ago I could not have gone to Vancouver all by myself, let alone stay in the "poorest postal code"’ in Canada and do things so completely out of my comfort zone. But this was the time- God's time, and I really felt that God wanted me to do this. So after a long day in the air and arriving in Canada just in time for Knee Drill (a really cool time of Praise, Worship and Prayer) I was off to find where I would stay for the next 7 days.
My next and first official day of BTI started off with a War Room (Prayer room) shift at 5 a.m. and would last until 8 a.m. I can honestly tell you that I have never, I repeat NEVER spent three hours in prayer at one time but this was awesome. I found that you could pray, sing, read your Bible, look out over the intersection of Hastings & Main, (the main intersection in the Downtown East Side), to see the people that have pretty much been there all night, and even do God inspired art work. I spent some time reading my Bible and God gave me the verse in Isaiah 42:6b-7 that says, "And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons." And I thought, "what am I going to do with this? Is it for me or someone else?" I really wasn't sure what to do with it so I marked it and prayed about it and for the people sitting and sleeping on the steps of the Carnegie Center (library etc).
The time passed very quickly and then it was off to Crosswalk to begin my day, and what would be every day, with "Praying the Bible." We then met with the other delegates and shared a time of "why we were there and what we expected to gain from the experience." I was then paired up with a young woman named Fleur to Prayer Walk in the DTES for 1/2 hour each day.
I do have to say that one of the things that affected me most was the day that we saw a young woman sitting on the sidewalk just down from Crosswalk, her shirt pulled up to expose her very pregnant belly, and she was shooting up. I found myself welling up with tears and Fleur began to pray as we walked. She prayed for the safety of that baby, protection from drugs and many other good things. I have thought of that young woman many times in the days since and pray for her as well.
After that we were paired up with our partner for our daily BTI Challenge. The challenges ranged to everything from prayer walking a local store (check out the size of the store before you decide to do this one!), to praying in a government building, obtaining a meal for a homeless individual using the barter system and no money of our own, praying for people in the safe injection site (they wouldn't let anyone in), to a number of other challenges. Lt.-Colonel Howie Burr and I tried several different challenges with a margin of success. We prayed thru a department store one day and set up a "free prayer booth" another day among other things. It was a good experience and definitely out of my comfort zone.
The lecturers for the week included Michael Collins, Associate Pastor of Cariboo Hill Corps; Captains Steve and Danielle; Ian Gillingham and Aaron White, from the War College. Great speakers, definitely anointed and qualified to speak at Booth Tucker College. They each had inspiring topics and gave us a lot to think about.
I think one of the highlights each day was the daily "dusting off" sessions. The scripture says that Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 10:14 "if any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to you message, shake its dust from you feet as you leave." If I am not mistaken, I believe that Charles Roberts coined the phrase, "dusting off." Each day 2 delegates were given their own time for some listening prayers and prophetic words of encouragement and other revelations. There was some powerful stuff happening each day!! Sherry's (another woman from Maine) dusting was incredibly powerful as she was baptized in the spirit.
My own dusting was very meaningful for me and I was encouraged to use my healing gift more and to accept it. (By the way, Howie, I went to the hospital the day after I came home and prayed with a soldier that had four cardiac arrests and surgery while I was away and not expected to make it. He is now in his own room at the hospital, was alert, and doing quite well when I saw him this past Sunday)! It was very encouraging, not only for the person receiving the blessing or dusting, but for those listening as well. Fleur would transcribe the words given and then a time of discussion would follow. It was incredible each time that someone would hit the mark straight on (Duh!?). We were listening to God and it should not have been a surprise to anyone!!
I had two more shifts in the War Room (both were 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.) and also went out on Tuesday night for Street Combat. I had no idea what to expect but Crystal (a young War College Student) was patient with me. We walked a bit, talked with some people (one of which Crystal had not seen for a while) and we ended the night with a quick dusting off session and prayer before joining with the Canteen from Cariboo Hill as they passed out soup and sandwiches and just talked with the people from the DTES. A highlight of this night (and I didn't have my camera) was seeing Howie, in full uniform (it was tunic Tuesday), with Lisa, sitting on the sidewalk in conversation with a gentleman from the street.
The War College also operates a coffee house/cafe out of the Crosswalk Building (an emergency sleeping mat shelter) a few nights of the week. The coffee house/cafe is called REcre8 (sound it out!) and serves coffee, tea, and refreshment. The delegates to BTI are also scheduled for shifts in the cafe. The guests are also invited to play games, talk, or just sit and enjoy the company if that is what they want. It is a great way for them to connect with the 614 corps and community.
I really feel that I was truly blessed by this experience and am praying into what to do with all that I learned during this week. I know that people at home were praying for my safety and God truly blessed me and protected me while in Vancouver. When I got out of my shifts at 11 p.m. in the War Room, Wes (one of the tenants in the apartment) was there to meet me and walk me home then and on our last night after Recre8 at 10ish p.m. Bram (one of our cadets from the SFOT) walked me home as well). I think all these people just felt I was too old to be out alone)! Whatever the reason, I know God's hand was definitely in it!! Thank you , Jesus!!
Oh, yeah, I am pretty sure the scripture given to me on the first day in the War Room was for me. One of my goals for the week was to leave Vancouver a changed person.
In the words of a Hillsong song,
I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk the path, I will run the race.
And I will never be the same again.
And I will never be the same again.
And I will never be the same again.
Jesus, may it be so.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Guest Blogger #1
Today I offer a guest blogger- my brother Howie. He just got home from this year's Booth-Tucker Institute (BTI) in Vancouver, Canada. I know you'll be blessed by his reflections. There's more to come soon (I'm waiting on one more guest blogger to share her experience at BTI this year).
Reflections of the Booth Tucker Institute
by Howard Burr
My brother Doug made me do it! Ok, he just talked me into it by sharing his experiences with me and I wanted a similar blessing. My initial purpose in attending was to experience how a Salvation Army cell group church operates in the poorest postal code in Canada, because we want to start planting them in the Eastern Territory. My personal desire was to rekindle the Holy Spirit's flame in my spirit. Little did I know...
After the Thursday evening worship (very free and open) I went to catch several hours of sleep before I had the 2:00 - 5:00 AM shift in the War Room - a 24/7 prayer room in what we would call a "Welfare" hotel. I walked to the War Room past the many drug addicts and few scurrying rats on the street. It was a wonderful experience that goes by quickly as you talk with God and look over His lost children on the street below.
My sleep deprived morning began as all others (except Sunday when we chose which local Army service to attend) with knee drill which is praying and reading the Bible out loud while walking. We would then would have a presentation by Steve Court, Danielle Strickland, Ian Gillingham or a guest lecturer. The teaching was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit processed through holy men and women. (Your heart always knows the difference.) Then Lisa Luxford and I would prayer walk the streets and alleys of the community until lunch. Meals were eaten at the Harbor Light Center.
After lunch the BTI challenge took place - let's just call it experiments with innovative evangelism.Mary and I were pushed outside our comfort zone. We opened up a street healing prayer station and other teams responded with similar creativity.This was followed by "dusting off", a time of listening prayer and prophetic encouragement which often was a highlight of the day. The day would end with squad, which was discussion of several revolutionary Salvation Army articles that pushed everyone to think Biblically about what we believe and do.
During the week, I was personally schooled three times by War College students who did not even know they were showing me how to do evangelism right. I was invited to the beach with a group and they started singing and began an unplanned open air. I tried to teach truth to those who came over and no one wanted to listen. It seems that my generation looks for truth, but this generation wants to know what is real first. A simple testimony was far more effective than any logic I had to share. In the second "lesson" I was walking on the street with another student when we walked by a drug addict in a midday withdrawal dance. My thoughts were ineffective but the student dealt with the situation with practical love and direction - almost as an afterthought. The third lesson was in the value of relationships being far more powerful than I had imagined. It was a humbling, wonderful learning experience.
The most profound treasure was meeting other world revolutionaries and forming lifelong relationships - ok, eternity long relationships - with friends who urge you on to do great things for our Lord. Thank you, Ian, for pouring yourself out for all of us. Kathleen, you are the New Songs Colonel. Andrew & Fleur, I saw Jesus in you every day. Mary, Doug has no idea who the warrior is who is coming back to the corps from BTI! Bram & Anita - your joy in the Lord's service made me want to be young, go back to Training School and start all over again. Sherri, Mary & the Karlstens - thank you for your love and witness to me. Finally, special thanks to Steve and Danielle for your Great Commission vision and love.
Finally, I wanted fresh fire from BTI. After my second War Room shift I got up the next day and got a cup of seniors coffee (yes, I am that old!) at McDonald's and read my Bible by the window. I was reading in Ezekiel when I realized I was crying. I did not look cool in any way and I did not care. God the Holy Spirit showed up and ministered to some deep places in my spirit. Later that week I started crying while walking down the street in simple gratitude to my Lord. I am home now and the fire still burns. My prayer life will not let the fire grow dim again. I never want to flag in zeal all my days.
So here is the bottom line. Go see for yourself. If you want to do something revolutionary in your life for Jesus Christ, I suggest that you attend the Booth Tucker Institute. If you are considering attending the War College you will never be sorry. Tired, yes, but sorry? Never.
Reflections of the Booth Tucker Institute
by Howard Burr
My brother Doug made me do it! Ok, he just talked me into it by sharing his experiences with me and I wanted a similar blessing. My initial purpose in attending was to experience how a Salvation Army cell group church operates in the poorest postal code in Canada, because we want to start planting them in the Eastern Territory. My personal desire was to rekindle the Holy Spirit's flame in my spirit. Little did I know...
After the Thursday evening worship (very free and open) I went to catch several hours of sleep before I had the 2:00 - 5:00 AM shift in the War Room - a 24/7 prayer room in what we would call a "Welfare" hotel. I walked to the War Room past the many drug addicts and few scurrying rats on the street. It was a wonderful experience that goes by quickly as you talk with God and look over His lost children on the street below.
My sleep deprived morning began as all others (except Sunday when we chose which local Army service to attend) with knee drill which is praying and reading the Bible out loud while walking. We would then would have a presentation by Steve Court, Danielle Strickland, Ian Gillingham or a guest lecturer. The teaching was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit processed through holy men and women. (Your heart always knows the difference.) Then Lisa Luxford and I would prayer walk the streets and alleys of the community until lunch. Meals were eaten at the Harbor Light Center.
After lunch the BTI challenge took place - let's just call it experiments with innovative evangelism.Mary and I were pushed outside our comfort zone. We opened up a street healing prayer station and other teams responded with similar creativity.This was followed by "dusting off", a time of listening prayer and prophetic encouragement which often was a highlight of the day. The day would end with squad, which was discussion of several revolutionary Salvation Army articles that pushed everyone to think Biblically about what we believe and do.
During the week, I was personally schooled three times by War College students who did not even know they were showing me how to do evangelism right. I was invited to the beach with a group and they started singing and began an unplanned open air. I tried to teach truth to those who came over and no one wanted to listen. It seems that my generation looks for truth, but this generation wants to know what is real first. A simple testimony was far more effective than any logic I had to share. In the second "lesson" I was walking on the street with another student when we walked by a drug addict in a midday withdrawal dance. My thoughts were ineffective but the student dealt with the situation with practical love and direction - almost as an afterthought. The third lesson was in the value of relationships being far more powerful than I had imagined. It was a humbling, wonderful learning experience.
The most profound treasure was meeting other world revolutionaries and forming lifelong relationships - ok, eternity long relationships - with friends who urge you on to do great things for our Lord. Thank you, Ian, for pouring yourself out for all of us. Kathleen, you are the New Songs Colonel. Andrew & Fleur, I saw Jesus in you every day. Mary, Doug has no idea who the warrior is who is coming back to the corps from BTI! Bram & Anita - your joy in the Lord's service made me want to be young, go back to Training School and start all over again. Sherri, Mary & the Karlstens - thank you for your love and witness to me. Finally, special thanks to Steve and Danielle for your Great Commission vision and love.
Finally, I wanted fresh fire from BTI. After my second War Room shift I got up the next day and got a cup of seniors coffee (yes, I am that old!) at McDonald's and read my Bible by the window. I was reading in Ezekiel when I realized I was crying. I did not look cool in any way and I did not care. God the Holy Spirit showed up and ministered to some deep places in my spirit. Later that week I started crying while walking down the street in simple gratitude to my Lord. I am home now and the fire still burns. My prayer life will not let the fire grow dim again. I never want to flag in zeal all my days.
So here is the bottom line. Go see for yourself. If you want to do something revolutionary in your life for Jesus Christ, I suggest that you attend the Booth Tucker Institute. If you are considering attending the War College you will never be sorry. Tired, yes, but sorry? Never.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Cancel My AOL Account!
Thinking of canceling your AOL account? Think again!
Check out this MSNBC video recounting of a man attempting to do so.
Click the title above or the link below:
Please Cancel my Account
Check out this MSNBC video recounting of a man attempting to do so.
Click the title above or the link below:
Please Cancel my Account
The Extreme Diet Coke & Mentos Experiments
O you've just GOT to see this video!
Either click the title above or the link below:
Experiments Video
Either click the title above or the link below:
Experiments Video
Monday, July 03, 2006
A Starter or a Minor Leaguer?
A while ago, someone commented on my (and my wife's) officership. They were impressed with how many things we do well, but felt there was one thing lacking. They told us if we could just get that one thing going, we'd be good officers.
At that moment I mostly agreed with them. The thing they mentioned really could use improvement and it had bothered both Debbie and I for some years that no matter what we'd tried over the years, that one thing always seemed to be our one "unsuccess."
After awhile, this aspect of our ministry became a sore spot or me (and Debbie too, as we had many concerned discussions about it). This sore spot has grown to become a depressing thing for me and has eaten up a huge amount of my energy and spiritual resources to the point where I have been in a kind of spiritual funk lately.
I am a HUGE believer in the Body of Christ; that each person is created for a specific purpose and is gifted to accomplish that purpose. We are NOT gifted to accomplish someone else's purpose or another part of the Body.
The problem with human beings, though, is we too often take things into our own hands and decide what is important rather than listen to what God says is important.
I know my giftings. I have worked for many years specifically on what it is God wants me to do. Knowing my purpose not only helps me do what God wants, it also frees me to NOT do what God DOESN'T want.
Not that God doesn't want this specific "unsuccess" of ours to be accomplished- he just doesn't want it from us (believe me, I've asked and prayed until God has reminded me of my purpose over and over again). When we focus on that one point, what we were created to do goes undone. Or at the very least, gets done less well.
Who are we to tell God how he wants to use us in his plan of salvation?
Imagine a baseball player telling his coach how to best use him: "I don't want to play outfield, I want to play second base!" Oh, sorry- Soriano tried that this year! But by listening to his coach, he did what the team needed and has become an outstanding outfielder- even just being voted as a starter onto the All-Star team as an outfielder!
You know, I'd rather be a starter at what God wants me to do than a sub-standard minor-leaguer at what someone else thinks I should do.
At that moment I mostly agreed with them. The thing they mentioned really could use improvement and it had bothered both Debbie and I for some years that no matter what we'd tried over the years, that one thing always seemed to be our one "unsuccess."
After awhile, this aspect of our ministry became a sore spot or me (and Debbie too, as we had many concerned discussions about it). This sore spot has grown to become a depressing thing for me and has eaten up a huge amount of my energy and spiritual resources to the point where I have been in a kind of spiritual funk lately.
I am a HUGE believer in the Body of Christ; that each person is created for a specific purpose and is gifted to accomplish that purpose. We are NOT gifted to accomplish someone else's purpose or another part of the Body.
The problem with human beings, though, is we too often take things into our own hands and decide what is important rather than listen to what God says is important.
I know my giftings. I have worked for many years specifically on what it is God wants me to do. Knowing my purpose not only helps me do what God wants, it also frees me to NOT do what God DOESN'T want.
Not that God doesn't want this specific "unsuccess" of ours to be accomplished- he just doesn't want it from us (believe me, I've asked and prayed until God has reminded me of my purpose over and over again). When we focus on that one point, what we were created to do goes undone. Or at the very least, gets done less well.
Who are we to tell God how he wants to use us in his plan of salvation?
Imagine a baseball player telling his coach how to best use him: "I don't want to play outfield, I want to play second base!" Oh, sorry- Soriano tried that this year! But by listening to his coach, he did what the team needed and has become an outstanding outfielder- even just being voted as a starter onto the All-Star team as an outfielder!
You know, I'd rather be a starter at what God wants me to do than a sub-standard minor-leaguer at what someone else thinks I should do.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Tilly the Video Eagle
I love to fly! Every chance I get to go on an airplane is exciting! I've always loved it since I was a kid. I wish I could fly without the help of an airplane.
Well, maybe I won't get that chance this side of heaven, but the website for Animal Planet has a wonderful set of videos provided by Tilly, a golden eagle. Tilly was trained to carry cameras while she flew and here are 6 very interesting videos for you to watch and experience flight just like a golden eagle. Incredible!
Click the link below or the title above to see the videos.
Tilly the Video Eagle
Well, maybe I won't get that chance this side of heaven, but the website for Animal Planet has a wonderful set of videos provided by Tilly, a golden eagle. Tilly was trained to carry cameras while she flew and here are 6 very interesting videos for you to watch and experience flight just like a golden eagle. Incredible!
Click the link below or the title above to see the videos.
Tilly the Video Eagle
Friday, June 30, 2006
You're Allowed to do Nothing
I'm really not much on about things like fortune cookies, et al, but I DO believe God can and DOES speak to us in a myriad of ways- including such things now and then. The key is being open and listening to hearing his voice at any time. I mean, he spoke through a donkey to Balaam once!
For example, last year on vacation I opened a "Dove Dark Chocolate Promise" candy and God used the message on the wrapper to speak to me. At that time I wasn't sure it was really God, but when I opened another one a day or so later, it had the same message. And because God was "pumping me so hard in the ribs with his elbow," I knew I needed to take the advise he was offering through this particular medium. I even might have blogged about it at the time.
Anyway, with that preamble I'm here to tell you I opened another Dove candy tonight and was almost bowled over with the message:
"You're allowed to do nothing."
Now that probably means nothing to you, but just this morning I said to Debbie: "I'm feeling guilty this year on vacation. Like I shouldn't be just doing nothing."
Now you can take that kind of stuff as coincidence if you'd like. But I don't believe in coincidence- I believe in Godincidence. Either that, or a coincidence is just a time when God chooses to remain anonymous. Take your pick.
This morning in my prayer time, I asked God about my idleness (when we need to be working to win the world) and he told me it was okay to rest. I've always believed that, but for some reason, I'm having trouble shutting things out this year and stopping the mad rush of busyness I left back in Maine.
Okay, God- I get it. I heard you and I'll listen. Too bad it took me over a week of vacation to start thinking about stopping.
Tomorrow we've got a few things planned, but I think I might just map out a nice nap on the couch.
For example, last year on vacation I opened a "Dove Dark Chocolate Promise" candy and God used the message on the wrapper to speak to me. At that time I wasn't sure it was really God, but when I opened another one a day or so later, it had the same message. And because God was "pumping me so hard in the ribs with his elbow," I knew I needed to take the advise he was offering through this particular medium. I even might have blogged about it at the time.
Anyway, with that preamble I'm here to tell you I opened another Dove candy tonight and was almost bowled over with the message:
"You're allowed to do nothing."
Now that probably means nothing to you, but just this morning I said to Debbie: "I'm feeling guilty this year on vacation. Like I shouldn't be just doing nothing."
Now you can take that kind of stuff as coincidence if you'd like. But I don't believe in coincidence- I believe in Godincidence. Either that, or a coincidence is just a time when God chooses to remain anonymous. Take your pick.
This morning in my prayer time, I asked God about my idleness (when we need to be working to win the world) and he told me it was okay to rest. I've always believed that, but for some reason, I'm having trouble shutting things out this year and stopping the mad rush of busyness I left back in Maine.
Okay, God- I get it. I heard you and I'll listen. Too bad it took me over a week of vacation to start thinking about stopping.
Tomorrow we've got a few things planned, but I think I might just map out a nice nap on the couch.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Where All is Cozy and Warm
Just so everybody knows . . .
We're on furlough in beautiful, WARM Florida for the next couple of weeks. Visiting Dad, soaking in the sun, playing golf, watching the D-Rays play games AT Tropicana Stadium (GO D-Rays!), checking out flea markets, garage sales and thrift stores, strolling in all the malls, reading, etc (still checking email and Lotus Notes).
I'm trying not to hang around the computer as much while here (but it's not working very well so far), but I'm thinking deep thoughts in between everything going on. So maybe I'll post some things now and then. We'll see.
Keep checking.
We're on furlough in beautiful, WARM Florida for the next couple of weeks. Visiting Dad, soaking in the sun, playing golf, watching the D-Rays play games AT Tropicana Stadium (GO D-Rays!), checking out flea markets, garage sales and thrift stores, strolling in all the malls, reading, etc (still checking email and Lotus Notes).
I'm trying not to hang around the computer as much while here (but it's not working very well so far), but I'm thinking deep thoughts in between everything going on. So maybe I'll post some things now and then. We'll see.
Keep checking.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Aha!
REBUILDING IN THE GULF
Hundreds of WMDs discovered in
Bombshell report notes 500 chemical weapons including sarin, mustard gas, more to be found
Posted: June 21, 2006; 10:39 p.m. Eastern
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
"We have found weapons of mass destruction in
Santorum read from a declassified portion of a report by the
The
- Since 2003 Coalition forces have recovered approximately 500 weapons munitions which contain degraded mustard or sarin nerve agent.
- Despite many efforts to locate and destroy
- Pre-Gulf War Iraqi chemical weapons could be sold on the black market. Use of these weapons by terrorists or insurgent groups would have implications for Coalition forces in
- The most likely munitions remaining are sarin and mustard-filled projectiles.
- The purity of the agent inside the munitions depends on many factors, including the manufacturing process, potential additives, and environmental storage conditions. While agents degrade over time, chemical warfare agents remain hazardous and potentially lethal.
- It has been reported in open press that insurgents and Iraqi groups desire to acquire and use chemical weapons.
(You can go to http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/Iraq_WMD_Declassified.pdf to read the declassified portion of the NGIC report in PDF format)
"I never doubted for a second that this day would come because we knew [Saddam Hussein] had them," said host Sean Hannity on "Hannity & Colmes." "It's funny to watch liberals [who complain], 'Bush lied! He hyped! He misled!' ... How about liberals now apologize to the country?"
"These are not the weapons that we went to war over," Democrat strategist Laura Schwartz responded. "It does not tell us that Saddam Husssein had an ongoing, active weapons program."
One senior Defense Department official told Fox News the chemical weapons were not in useable conditions.
"This does not reflect a capacity that was built up after 1991," the official said, adding the munitions "are not the WMDs this country and the rest of the world believed
Also appearing on Fox News was former U.N. weapons inspector Tim Trevan, who said some of the weapons could still have posed a danger, even in a deteriorated state.
"Sarin could be a danger," he said. "The mustard, the problem is when it sits in the munition for a very long time in these high temperatures, it polymerizes. It goes from a liquid to a gooey mass."
"Probably more important is why has the administration not made this public beforehand," retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom McInerny said of the report. "I think the fact is that the Russians moved large stocks [of WMDs] out in the fall of 2002. ... They went into three locations into
Friday, June 23, 2006
Keeping it Fresh
I read a conversation article with Eugene Peterson the other day (Discipleship Journal #154) and one of the things he said has been banging around in my head ever since. First the quote, then some of my thoughts (while still in process).
A few years ago, God gave me a specific appointment for prayer. I was to meet with him for an hour at 5 AM every day! Yeah- at first it was a bear, but I began to settle into the schedule and because the day really hadn't "started" yet, I often went well beyond the hour. This went on for about 6 months and I was perhaps at an all time spiritual high. I often couldn't wait till 5 AM!
One day while I was praying, God spoke to me very clearly and said: "stop praying." I assumed he meant right then, so I left my prayer room and began my day. The next morning when I went to pray, God was not there. I experienced the proverbial "Brass Heavens." Nothing seemed to get through. It was like I had a brass urn over my head that wouldn't let anything out; every prayer fell flat. All I heard was "stop praying."
My thoughts focused around how I must be misunderstanding. After all, don't we always teach the importance of praying every day? God couldn't be telling me to stop praying. No way!
Then a friend (who at the time often experienced similar spiritual things as I was going through), hesitantly mentioned God had told her to stop praying. At first she must have thought my stare of disbelief was condemning, but after I shared what God had told me, we both decided to actually try it.
After months of regular routine, it was hard! But during the next few weeks, I learned what Paul meant when he said we should "pray without ceasing." Instead of a legalistic routine, I was in touch with God constantly and I was able to relax. I have since learned to live in God's presence and still spend "specific time in prayer and Bible reading."
Lately, I've been struggling with my daily prayer time again. Peterson's words make me realize my relationship with God is not all up to me. It's a living relationship with give and take on both sides. Even when I'm messing up, God's still deeply involved in keeping "us" alive and fresh.
Good thing!
"Gradually I began to understand what the church had been teaching for centuries, namely, that it is in God's nature to seek us out and draw us into participation with what he is doing. I realized that he was a lot more interested in my relationship with him than I was. I relaxed. I began to cultivate quiet, listening and ordinary obedience. The less interested I became in 'keeping my relationship with God alive,' the more I was able to notice and participate in what God was doing to keep me in relationship with him."Is it possible we sometimes just work too hard on our relationship with God? In a laudable effort to make sure we are faithful in our "devotions," might we push beyond the legalism barrier? Is it possible to be so faithful, we miss the point and lose the personal side of relationship? Can something that's supposed to be natural and comfortable become tense?
A few years ago, God gave me a specific appointment for prayer. I was to meet with him for an hour at 5 AM every day! Yeah- at first it was a bear, but I began to settle into the schedule and because the day really hadn't "started" yet, I often went well beyond the hour. This went on for about 6 months and I was perhaps at an all time spiritual high. I often couldn't wait till 5 AM!
One day while I was praying, God spoke to me very clearly and said: "stop praying." I assumed he meant right then, so I left my prayer room and began my day. The next morning when I went to pray, God was not there. I experienced the proverbial "Brass Heavens." Nothing seemed to get through. It was like I had a brass urn over my head that wouldn't let anything out; every prayer fell flat. All I heard was "stop praying."
My thoughts focused around how I must be misunderstanding. After all, don't we always teach the importance of praying every day? God couldn't be telling me to stop praying. No way!
Then a friend (who at the time often experienced similar spiritual things as I was going through), hesitantly mentioned God had told her to stop praying. At first she must have thought my stare of disbelief was condemning, but after I shared what God had told me, we both decided to actually try it.
After months of regular routine, it was hard! But during the next few weeks, I learned what Paul meant when he said we should "pray without ceasing." Instead of a legalistic routine, I was in touch with God constantly and I was able to relax. I have since learned to live in God's presence and still spend "specific time in prayer and Bible reading."
Lately, I've been struggling with my daily prayer time again. Peterson's words make me realize my relationship with God is not all up to me. It's a living relationship with give and take on both sides. Even when I'm messing up, God's still deeply involved in keeping "us" alive and fresh.
Good thing!
Monday, June 19, 2006
Raising the Comfort Level
I experienced something very disconcerting during our trip to New Jersey this past weekend. When we went to a restaurant, I noticed a lot of black people. When we went to the mall, I noticed a lot of Asian people. At one point (I don't remember where we were), I noticed a lot of Hispanic people. Noticing the vast melting pot is nothing new, since we lived in that area for all of our officer career prior to these last 6 years in Maine. What was disconcerting was that in these situations, I felt uncomfortable and a bit nervous.
When we first traveled to Maine for a day visit, we saw no black people while we were there and that bothered us tremendously. We were comfortable with diverse ethnicity and were concerned about what cultural homogeny would be like.
Since living in Maine (specifically Bangor), we have discovered there is no prejudice toward blacks- there just aren't enough here to be seen as a "threat." Where we see prejudice is toward Asians, who are the fastest growing ethnic group in our area. Granted, this prejudice is minor, because there just aren't enough Asians around to make much difference either, but it is there nonetheless.
Fear comes from the unknown; if you don't know something, you are generally afraid of it. Prejudice comes from the same roots- people not understanding other cultures. Usually, the fear is abated when you begin to learn.
When you spend time in a certain situation, you gain a comfort level. But the longer you are away from that situation, the further you get from being comfortable. I did not like seeing that my comfort level had been lowered regarding other cultures. Rats!
The more I think about this, the more I am drawn to think about people who spend no time around God. They don't understand him (well who does?) or "religion" so their comfort level is very low. They avoid every situation where God might even be mentioned. In effect, they are afraid of God.
How much more then, do we need to be examples of who God is? God with skin. When people get comfortable with us and begin to trust us, they might just begin to open up to experiencing God for themselves. After all, we aren't so bad.
Are we?
When we first traveled to Maine for a day visit, we saw no black people while we were there and that bothered us tremendously. We were comfortable with diverse ethnicity and were concerned about what cultural homogeny would be like.
Since living in Maine (specifically Bangor), we have discovered there is no prejudice toward blacks- there just aren't enough here to be seen as a "threat." Where we see prejudice is toward Asians, who are the fastest growing ethnic group in our area. Granted, this prejudice is minor, because there just aren't enough Asians around to make much difference either, but it is there nonetheless.
Fear comes from the unknown; if you don't know something, you are generally afraid of it. Prejudice comes from the same roots- people not understanding other cultures. Usually, the fear is abated when you begin to learn.
When you spend time in a certain situation, you gain a comfort level. But the longer you are away from that situation, the further you get from being comfortable. I did not like seeing that my comfort level had been lowered regarding other cultures. Rats!
The more I think about this, the more I am drawn to think about people who spend no time around God. They don't understand him (well who does?) or "religion" so their comfort level is very low. They avoid every situation where God might even be mentioned. In effect, they are afraid of God.
How much more then, do we need to be examples of who God is? God with skin. When people get comfortable with us and begin to trust us, they might just begin to open up to experiencing God for themselves. After all, we aren't so bad.
Are we?
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Congratulations John!
Friday night we participated in the retirement celebration of the New Jersey division's longest active employee- John Rahm. John started working for TSA Red Bank Corps 1 year after Debbie was born (and I'll leave the number of those years to you to figure out)!We had a great time remembering John's many exploits and funny stories. You might imagine- a lot of years means a lot of stories!
We remember John fondly- from his passion for keeping the Army building clean to standing kettles; from his Christian witness to his faithful work ethic. It's going to be hard thinking of TSA in Red Bank without John somewhere in the picture.
The best thing about John is that he developed a solid work ethic early in life. Even though he has a disability, he never let that stop him from applying himself to the task at hand (so much so, in fact, that he has actually been supporting his family for many years). I've seen many people over the years let small things keep them from working or getting involved in life. Not John! There are few things John hasn't done- and with gusto. His example is incredible and makes me proud to know him.
While celebrating, I looked around the room and got to thinking about those long-time employees who are so faithful to our Army. It's a real satisfying feeling to know you hired people like Fonie and they're still a big part of what makes that particular corps tick.
And then I saw people who we made soldiers who are now in that employee mix (Bev & Debbie)- working steadily and faithfully for God's Kingdom in The Salvation Army. Who knows? Maybe many years down the road they'll be retiring after long years of faithful service? I can definitely see it.
I Praise God for those faithful employees. And I thank him for letting me be a part of their service, even if for only 9 years. I am better for having served by their sides.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
The Salvation Army Raises Awareness of Human Trafficking at World Cup
The Salvation Army has launched a campaign to raise awareness of human trafficking at the World Cup.
Posted: Wednesday, June 14 , 2006, 8:20 (BST) Christianity Today
The Salvation Army has launched a campaign to raise awareness of human trafficking at the World Cup and make known that although prostitution may be legal in many parts of Germany, sex with a trafficked woman is 'rape'.
Moreover, UK citizens can be prosecuted for illegal sex acts such as sex with a trafficked woman in this country as well as abroad.
Volunteers for The Salvation Army travelled to Old Trafford for the England versus Hungary match and distributed around 10,000 postcards with hard-hitting slogans ‘You chose her. She definitely didn't choose you.' and ‘Offensive action? Does it offend you?' The postcards contain facts about trafficking as well as 24-hour helpline numbers for anyone who suspects a woman is trafficked and needs advice.
A UN report on human trafficking issued last month listed Germany as one of the top destinations for the women, mostly between 18 and 25, who are secreted across borders from countries like Russia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria. A 2005 US State Department found that Russia alone accounted for one-quarter of the 1,235 victims of forced prostitution reported in Germany in 2003.
The main venue in Berlin now has a 3000-metre fenced-in area filled with ‘performance boxes', equipped with condoms and showers.
The sex trade comprises the biggest proportion of the European trafficking industry, notes the National Board of Catholic Women in England and Wales.
Anti-sex slave activists point out that "trafficked women dare not speak about the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual violence done to them day after day."
In order to make fans aware of the situation and gain support on the issue, 40 Salvation Army volunteers from the UK travelled to Germany to distribute 90,000 postcards to World Cup fans in Germany.
"The Salvation Army wants to make people travelling to Germany this summer aware that if they choose to go to a brothel, they may be choosing to pay for sex with a trafficked woman. Sex with a trafficked woman is rape and is an illegal and immoral activity," commented Duncan Parker of The Salvation Army.
"Every year over 2 million people are trafficked across international borders for the purposes of exploitation, whether that be in the form of commercial sex, domestic service or manual labour. Many trafficked victims are stolen from their homes, many are sold by their families, and many are lured away from their homes by the prospect of a well-paid job or a better life in another country. All of these people are being exploited against their will."
Human trafficking is the third largest illegal industry in the world after the drugs and arms trade, with more than 2 million people trafficked every year.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Trombonists and Trumpet Players
Three Trombonists and three Trumpet players are traveling by train through Europe on a brass choir tour. At the station, the Trumpet players each buy tickets and watch as the three Trombonists buy only a single ticket among them.
"How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?" asks a Trumpet player.
"Watch and you'll see," answers the Trombonist.
They all board the train. The Trumpet players take their respective seats but all three Trombonists cram into a restroom and close the door behind them. Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the restroom door and says, "Ticket, please." The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on.
The Trumpet players saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea. So after the performance, the Trumpet players decided to copy the Trombonists (as they always do) on the return trip and save some money (being clever with money and all that). When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the Trombonists don't buy a ticket at all.
"How are you going to travel without a ticket?" asks one perplexed Trumpet player.
"Watch and you'll see," answers a Trombonist.
When they board the train the three Trumpet players quickly cram into one restroom, and then the Trombonists quickly cram into another one nearby. The train departs.
Shortly afterward, one of the Trombonists leaves their restroom and walks over to the restroom where the Trumpet players are hiding. He knocks on the door and says, "Ticket, please....."
"How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?" asks a Trumpet player.
"Watch and you'll see," answers the Trombonist.
They all board the train. The Trumpet players take their respective seats but all three Trombonists cram into a restroom and close the door behind them. Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the restroom door and says, "Ticket, please." The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on.
The Trumpet players saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea. So after the performance, the Trumpet players decided to copy the Trombonists (as they always do) on the return trip and save some money (being clever with money and all that). When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the Trombonists don't buy a ticket at all.
"How are you going to travel without a ticket?" asks one perplexed Trumpet player.
"Watch and you'll see," answers a Trombonist.
When they board the train the three Trumpet players quickly cram into one restroom, and then the Trombonists quickly cram into another one nearby. The train departs.
Shortly afterward, one of the Trombonists leaves their restroom and walks over to the restroom where the Trumpet players are hiding. He knocks on the door and says, "Ticket, please....."
Sunday, June 04, 2006
And a Little Child Will Lead Them
Well, maybe not "little" and not really a "child," but this morning at our service, while we were still singing, one of our teens went to the altar. A moment later, another. Then another. And then some adults too. What do you know- on Pentecost SonDay, Holy Spirit showed up again- this time in Bangor!
Before we were half way through the meeting, we had seen many people weeping, praying, listening and seeking God all over the room. One of our teens even got saved! It was all so powerful, you could actually feel God's manifest presence.
By the time I got up to preach, we had already "had the message" and my words were: "How do you follow God?" (follow, like go after him on the program). But God still had more for us.
My message was on finding God when we seek him. Afterwards, almost everyone in the room stood and agreed to seek God with their whole hearts. Then, instead of going home to seek God, I said "why wait?" and we took the time to seek after God right then. More people came to the altar. Others knelt where they were seating and Holy Spirit continued to move in our midst.
I later heard one of our Prayer Warriors say to me: "Our prayers for revival are finally being answered. And in what better way than through our kids!"
One of our corps goals states: "To actively seek God's Presence and live in it as often as possible." After all, why should God only show up once a year, perhaps at Youth Councils? Why not seek him and allow him to show up every week? And why only on SonDays? Why not every day?
Why not indeed! Our God is an Awesome God! Yahweh reigns!
Before we were half way through the meeting, we had seen many people weeping, praying, listening and seeking God all over the room. One of our teens even got saved! It was all so powerful, you could actually feel God's manifest presence.
By the time I got up to preach, we had already "had the message" and my words were: "How do you follow God?" (follow, like go after him on the program). But God still had more for us.
My message was on finding God when we seek him. Afterwards, almost everyone in the room stood and agreed to seek God with their whole hearts. Then, instead of going home to seek God, I said "why wait?" and we took the time to seek after God right then. More people came to the altar. Others knelt where they were seating and Holy Spirit continued to move in our midst.
I later heard one of our Prayer Warriors say to me: "Our prayers for revival are finally being answered. And in what better way than through our kids!"
One of our corps goals states: "To actively seek God's Presence and live in it as often as possible." After all, why should God only show up once a year, perhaps at Youth Councils? Why not seek him and allow him to show up every week? And why only on SonDays? Why not every day?
Why not indeed! Our God is an Awesome God! Yahweh reigns!
Saturday, June 03, 2006
I Can no More be Careless
Some of you will remember I mentioned a similar book I read recently about hell. That author got me thinking and I followed up on some of his references which led me to this book. I could hardly put it down.The author's style is not deep, but it is certainly easy to read in a simple format. If you're interested in getting the book, click on the picture.
What I believe most important about any study on hell, is that we need to somehow catch a glimpse of its reality. If hell exists as Christianity teaches, then it must be the most awful, terrifying, horrible place. And to think people are (and will be) stuck there for eternity in constant torment! Because this thought is almost too much for us to bear, we ignore hell.
But Jesus spoke a lot about hell, so it must be real and we must realize how very important our job of helping him keep people from going there. He gave his all to keep people from hell. What are we doing about it?
I tell you, I have a fresh desire to do what I can to help Jesus. And what do you know- it just so happens to be the mission of The Salvation Army:
Too long at ease in Zion
I've been content to dwell,
While multitudes are dying
I can no more be careless,
And say there's naught to do,
The fields are white to harvest
And laborers are few.
#482, Song Book of The Salvation Army
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