YOUTH MOVEMENT

Ive been reading SA101 Millenial Edition as Im looking for some good discipleship stuff. Ive come across a nice quick talk about the Salvation Army being a movement...

They describe it in 3 ways:

A REVIVAL Movement

A HOLINESS Movement

And A Youth Movement

I particuarly like the stuff it says about the youth stuff. If you are a Youth, you must read this.

"Youth Movement: (e.g. officer Kate Shepherd, 17, opens Rhondday
Valley Corps in 1879 and within a year there are 15,000 people at the welcome
meeting for General Catherine Booth; officer Eliza Shirley, 17, opens USA!;
H. A. Ironside, noted commentator, was an officer at 16; Thomas Coombs, 24,
was TC/Commissioner in Canada; the Booth children had huge responsibilities
at young ages; teenage officer in Kingston had 2,000 coming to meetings...)"

WOW! Can you believe that? If you are a youth, dont you dare let anyone tell you you are too young to do stuff! You dont need to be mature as such, rather you have to be able to TRUST and OBEY God. So youth, get holy and start a revival!

There are lots of youth beginning to take up this call! Have a look around our territory and you will see. If you want to get in on this then come to GO FOR SOULS conference!

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity! 1 Timothy 4:12

Ignorance, a spit in Jesus face!

Firstly I need to say that I love the youth butting in during the sermon and so does our preacher! The atmosphere in the church is so much better than what it once was! Having said that:

It just bugs me that people don't want to get people saved because that would be uncomfortable for them. I wonder where we would all be if Jesus decided His time on Earth would be comfortable... I don't thinking dieing on the cross was a comfortable experience. Not to mention how Jesus, the most holy of all spent most of His ministry on Earth with sinners! Not to mention the whole reason He came for was for sinners!

I believe that as Christians, we are the ones with the responsibility to lead people to Christ. We are the ones with responsibility to change, to adapt as Catherine Booth said. We have Jesus. Millions of other people don't. We should not be arrogant in thinking our ways should stay the same. If we are filled with love, our heart will ache for the lost, and as Paul says he counts all loss gain if to win one soul to Christ!

i believe the Salvation Army has for too long tried to be a "normal church." And we have forgotten what we are about. We are about bringing Gods Kingdom to Earth! Getting people saved! Defeating sin, addiction, despair, injustice etc!

How dare we put ourselves above those who are going to hell! Imagine if Jesus did that! He didn't, He put others first, and I believe as a Soldier in The Salvation Army,as a Christian, as a follower of Jesus, I MUST DO THE SAME! Anything less is sinful and a spit in the face of Jesus who DIED for the people we ignore or forget about! Should not our priorities be the same as Jesus'? For us to ignore people out of comfort or any reason is telling Jesus that we think we are better than the rest! That we are more important! Forgive us of our pride Lord!

God helping us this nation will see revival!

Also, evangelism conference looks like OCT12-13th, still waiting on a speaker or two to confirm. It will be great and you will learn something!

JESUS LOVES SINNERS

The church is the only organization in the world existing for its non-members
- An Arch Bishop of Canterbury

Plenty Valleys worship meetings have been changing with the influx of new people. Newly converted youth mess around, talk when its not there turn and talk with the person who is preaching. These people are getting saved out of hard places and Jesus is transforming their lives.

The people who are in the corps could have the right to be upset. Their comfortable, predictable church is changing and there are more and more new faces around the place. People even sit in "their" seats!

The church is changing from the mature (hmmm older...) Christians church into the new Christians church. It can be rowdy, unpredictable and sometimes it might feel we are flying by the seat of our pants not really knowing what might happen next.

There is a weird mix here. How do we cater for the people who have been around for ages and cater for the people we are trying to get saved? How much should we bother? As The Salvation Army, a mission for getting people saved, should we only worry about the people we're trying to get saved and the people who are going to get other people saved? (At PV I'm encouraging all the youth to get their friends saved so we believe in the priesthood of all believers) So, the question should be asked, should soul saving be the most important, guiding factor in how The Salvation Army does church? What do you guys reckon?

Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31-32

Been reading Luke. Its a great read. I read Luke 15 the other day, also known as the "LOST" chapter and I came across a few interesting thoughts...

The lost sheep is about something that was lost naturally, the coin got lost accidentally, and the son got lost willing fully! In all stories they were searched for. (The lost sons dad stayed out the front of home...)

The other thing popped out was that they are all about how there will be a party in heaven when someone is found again! Hallelujah! Also, it is very consistent that there is two places we end up, heaven or hell. Its mentioned all the time.

The other point is that the people who are getting saved are the ones who dont have anything. The ones who are down and out, who are suffering. The ones who realise they need Jesus! (Luke 13-14)

And finally, hell sucks! Luke 16 warns us that people in hell have seen the glory of God but cant get away from it! They cant go and warn people either. Imagine the worst place on earth, imagine your stuck there forever. Now, tell me, if you had an ounce of love in your soul, would you tell people to keep clear? I would! Why dont we tell people hell sucks and tell them about the kingdom of God? If you knew the cure for AIDS would you tell the world? I would. Im guessing so would you. Dont be ashamed of the gospel. Its good news! Try get some people saved! Dont know how to? Then come to "GO FOR SOULS CONFERENCE!"

Come to the evangelism conference!

Don't know how to get people saved? Would'nt have a clue how to lead someone to Christ even if they wanted to?

Come to the evangelism conference!

Want to make a difference in the war on sin?
Do you care about millions of people in hell and going to hell?

Come to the evangelism conference!

Care about the great commission?
Want to see Jesus glorified?

Come to the evangelism conference!

more details: http://www.goforsouls.blogspot.com/
spread the word

GO FOR SOULS

Sorry i haven't posted for ages!

Been really busy which is a good thing!

I'm pleased to announce the "GO FOR SOULS" evangelism conference at Plenty Valley! Theres gonna be great speakers, great prayer and great outreach! We may be teaching but we're also planning on people getting saved at the same time!

Promote it as much as you can! We've left it late so its all a bit rushed, but we really believe God wants it to happen!

We have some great people coming to teach and outreach with us! I'll announce them soon! Don't miss this opportunity!

Check out the details etc at http://www.goforsouls.blogspot.com/

Evangelism by fire

PB and JB gave me some dvds to watch the other day. The first one I watched was og the CFAN crusade that saw ONE MILLION SOULS SAVED! Hallelujah! Its a great DVD and the noise the crowd made when they were all baptized in the Holy Spirit was unreal!

Heres a quick preview...





I was reading his book the other day and he speaks of how when people get saved he then baptizes them in the Holy Spirit! WOW! He doesnt wait until they are mature or understand anything, just BANG, receive the Holy Spirit. (Just like ACTS 2)

Also, Youth alive was great last night! Heaps saved. A highlight was Mike Gug testimony! Hes been sick as, cancer in his bones, suppose to be dead, breaks bones if he gets even a slight bump...He said he had a dream that he got healed in John Wesleys chapel. So he got in his wheel chair and went to England!lol On Monday I prayed for him, he just came into my mind. And he testified that on Monday he got out of the wheel chair and his broken back and hip were healed! Hallelujah!

Gods at work! Hes coming back. Dont let Him find you slacking off. Get busy. Save some souls.

Salvation!

The Thursday night band practice has yet again proven successfull in getting people saved!

Tonight a girl who has been loosely hanging around for a little while came in a bit of an upset mood. She has been Steves "one." (the one person they're trying to save...) She went into the prayer room to have a bit of a cry and me and Steve walked in with her. We had a chat then me and Steve gave her the gospel. It was amazing!

I started with saying this is what Jesus said He was all on about:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)

Then told her that Jesus wants to set her free! And then me and Steve bombarded her with testimonies and explanations of this grace God has given us. By the end, Id be surprised if anyone would not have wanted to accept Christ into their life!lol

She did, and is now saved and praying! Please pray for her and her family especially. Pray that her new found faith will be a great benefit to her family!

Jesus is alive peoples! He is setting people free! Lets proclaim it!

EVANGELISM

There is a MASSIVE evangelism crusade in the pipewroks brought to you by Plenty valley Youth and all salvos are invited. Its gonna be an 11 week evangelism fest. Every saturday and thursday night term 4... Posters coming out soon. If youre good at getting people saved expect a phone call or let me know! Its gonna consist of teaching, praying and doing! Three words God gave me are: Teach-Equip-Empower...

Also, about the whole social-justice stuff vs evangelism... Surely soul saving is more important? Its eternal right? I think soul saving is the most important thing about being a salvo (even officers agree that soul saving will be there number 1 priority...). The social-justice and charity stuff, whatever you want to call it is good too. But not the number one thing... We need to have the social stuff, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked etc, we cant do that without evangelism and cant have evangelism without works of love and compassion...

Jesus sums it up nicely for us to the Samaratin woman:

"Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4)

Surely soul saving is more important. It lasts forever! If people get saved they can be freed and healed!

If your wondering what to do, and asking God "what should i do?" The great commission hasnt changed. Its still the same. Go get some people saved! Remember no revival has ever happend without aggressive evagelism... (from bonnke)

Spiritual Warfare

Ive heard lots of stories of spiritual warfare happening at the moment! All sorts of corps and people are under attack! It can only be a good thing! It means we are stepping into the war! Hallelujah! I have a feeling it is caused by the 24/7 prayer and is creating power encounters all over the place! Im so glad we've already won!

Speaking about winning, great testimony time today at Plenty Valley! It went for so long the sermon was cut short!hahaha woman helped to forgive mum, answers to prayer, prophetic dreams coming true, prophetic words of encouragement coming at just the right time, just to name a few! There were a couple of real tear jerkers!
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Im not sure if ive posted this before but its a good story...

During an Easter camp a mate of mine saw his cousin put a hood over his head during a worship time. My mate had a word with him afterwards finding out what was going on. In the end they discovered he had been seeing 2 demons, and had been having a dream of the devil taking him to hell. Every time he took a step down a stair the stair behind him would disappear. They prayed for him.

The next night my mate was having a chat to him as they walked around the footy oval. The demons had not left. So my mate told him to lie down, he claimed and consecrated the land. Then he asked where the demons were. The boy sat up a bit looked around and pointed in the direction.

My mate got up and walked towards them shouting at them in Jesus name! Telling them to leave. He then felt a release in the Spirit. His cousin began laughing. He was looking up into the sky.

My mate asked what had happend, his cousin replied, "As you walked over towards the demons a BRGHT light shon out of you and they got scared and ran away! Now, I see a legion of angels in the sky protecting the camp!"

There you go! We are the light of the world! Matthew 5:14
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also, if you can hear God speak to you, please do some listening prayer for me and let me know what He says! Thanks!

alcohol

The world is always telling me to drink alcohol. To many people I seem like a loser because I dont drink alcohol! The sterottypical aussie bloke drinks beers while he watches the footy while I drink water. People often say The Salvos should take the no drinking thing out of the covenant then we'd get more people joining up. Many salvo officer kids drink and dont understand why we shouldnt. So here are some reasons why I don't drink alcohol.

Because it is bad for your health
Because Romans 6 says that whatever we submit ourselves to that will rule us. I dont want to be ruled by alcohol
I dont want to get drunk
I dont want to get sick and throw up, not my idea of a good time
I dont want to do things I'll regret
I dont want to damage relationships
I dont want to embarrass myself
I dont want to get addicted

I want to show addicts there is hope
I want to tell the world alcohol is bad for society
I want to stay pure for God
I dont want to sin by losing control of myself
I want people to realize that alcohol is not needed for a good time
I want to let my friends and family know they can trust me all the time
I want to submit my life to God, God and no other


Alcohol is responsible for so much crime
Alcohol is responsible for so many divorces
Alcohol is responsible for so many family breakups
Alcohol is responsible for so much abuse in the family
Alcohol is responsible for so many broken relationships
Alcohol is responsible for trust being broken
Alcohol is responsible for so many car crashes
Alcohol is responsible for so many deaths
Alcohol is responsible for so many people not dealing with grief and life issues properally

Alcohol is responsible for so much sin

I dont see many positives of drinking alcohol.
I dont want to drink alcohol.

There you go. Thats what I think. The Bible also tells us heaps of times not to get drunk, not to have too much to drink, and in fact there were some hardcore jews who wouldn't drink alcohol at all because they wanted to stay holy set apart for God.

You need to choose. Is drinking alcohol giving God your best? How can it possibly be? Instead of seeing alcohol as a way to fit in with friends, see it as a way to devote yourself to God and to show your friends how great God is. Im not talking about law here, it just seems common sense for Christians not to drink. What do you think?

Evangelsim

Ive been reading a great book by Reinhard Bonnke called Evangelism by fire. Ive only read the first chapter but already Im impressed... Heres a few quotes...
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It struck me that the Gospel is not good news to people who dont hear it - that an unpreached Gospel is no Gospel at all!

Yet one fact faced me - there had never been revival without aggressive evangelism!

Plodding along mechanically might be called faithfulness, but our primary concern in evangelism is effectiveness, not a twisted type of faithfulness!

Entertainers are not needed or wanted. From Captain to the cook all hands are needed on deck for soul saving. The church that does not seek the lost is "lost" itself!

The devil is no match for the mind of the Holy Spirit. If we plan, preach, witness and evangelize as men, satan will foil us. He can handle psychology and propoganda. The answer is - move in the Spirit and preach the Gospel as it is!

Theres so many more quotes Id like to put in but that will do for now.
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The thing thats bugging me at the moment is that there are so many people within the church that think we need to be mature Christians to be able to do Gospel work. That not just anyone can pray for a stranger. That not just anyone can give a Spiritual Reading. (A word from God) Its so annoying because God doesnt give the Spirit to the mature, NO! He gives it to the willing!

If the Army is to move forward we need to give the Youth a go! We need to empower them, not lord it over them because we are smarter, older and more mature! The Army would not be where it is today if the youth didnt take on leadership, if the youth werent given responsibility! And Im not talking young adult age either! Im talking teenagers!
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Go get someone saved!
Pray for the sick! Raise the dead! Drive out demons! Rejoice that youre saved!

Heres a COMMAND from JESUS:
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8

DOUBT

Exciting things happening at Plenty Valley! Something about a Salvation Meeting coming soon! I'll keep you in suspense for now...

I was reading some stuff about doubt the other day and learned quite a bit...

Peter saw the feeding of the 5000 then got out of the boat and started to walk towards Jesus. He then looked at the wind and waves, taking his eyes of Jesus and sunk. Jesus asks him why he doubted. The reason: He took his eyes off Jesus. Matthew 14:13-36

Then we have the disciples waiting around. Jesus comes back from the dead. They're all amazed. "Why did you doubt Jesus asks? Didn't you know the Scriptures had to be fulfilled?" The reason they doubted? They didn't heed Scripture. Luke 24:36-49

Then we have Thomas. Doubting Thomas. Everyone told him about Jesus coming back from the dead but he didn't believe them. He doubted their testimony. John 20:24-30

So when you're in doubt, keep your eyes on Jesus, read and believe the Bible, and believe other peoples testimony!

revival?

Are we really ready for revival? Do we expect it? My guess is no. I could be wrong here but to the best of my knowledge there is no Salvo material for new Christians. I'm guessing this is because 1) we hardly have any converts these days and 2) we're not expecting it!

Mu aunty is c.o somewhere and they put some Bibles under the mercy seat expecting people to be saved. The following Sunday I believe a bunch of people came forward and gave their life to Christ!

If we're praying for revival and salvations etc, lets get some plans together for when it happens. I don't want to get left behind because I wasn't ready!

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the following has been edited from the first time it was posted a few hours ago...
Will The Salvation Army get serious about our covenant? Will there be a day when people will not be accepted as officers, soldiers and lieutenants if they don't believe the doctrines and follow the therefores? (Not just talking about first time committments like swearing in, commissioning etc) How long can we go along compromising? How can we continue to perpetuate the already bad situation because we dont want to make people upset? If we are allowing people to stay in covenant and the positions that brings even though they constantly break it are we not taking Gods grace in vain? Are we sinning because God will forgive us?

The problems are too great. Bad theology etc leads to bad mission. Dis unity in the body will only hinder revival not improve it.

The covenant is what unites Salvationists. Not everyone is called to The Salvation Army. I love having non salvos help out and do stuff, I know some great non-salvos who help us heaps. But at the same time we need to unite on those things which make us us. The things that separate us from other denominations and movements...

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Sorry I'm so negative today! Just a bit frustrated. Heres some positive to keep us going. One of the guys who has just got saved has been laying hands and praying that his sister will get healed! He has also told me that one of his friends is coming on Thursday night and shes gonna get saved! Hallelujah! The Army is moving! The Spirit is stirring! Lets cut the dead wood and allow the Holy Spirit freedom in our lives!

Singing Teaching

Firstly, who like the new banner of me leaning on the word of God?hahaha

Last night was the divisional youth meeting. It brought home a couple of facts to me. I took a bunch of youth from Plenty Valley. They are not use to sitting down and listening so they played up a bit. They were actually really good, but I could still tell theyre not use to and not able to listen for such a long amount of time.

This really made me aware of the early Salvos who use to teach theology through songs. The people would have been like my youth, not able to sit down and learn. It would have been too boring. But they loved singing. Therefore they taught them through song.

We should not be using Hillsong music. We should not have to. We need to though at this stage because it is the best that is out there. The problem is it doesn't teach our theology. We should not be using brass band music. We should not have to. We need to though because at this stage it has the best theology out there.

Perhaps we do have the great talent to do this. But maybe we have become so brainwashed by the church that we conform to the church. Perhaps we don't have enough converts to see the need for teaching through music. I need to admit I was one of those!

Lets do a couple of things. Lets get people saved and lets teach them stuff through new music with good theology.

Assurance of Full Salvation?

As the Salvation Army we believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself. So that means we believe in Jesus and are saved and we know it. Something inside of us tells us "You're saved!" Hallelujah!

Check out agent 832s blog as he testifies to receiving the blessing of entire sanctification! Its great stuff! But it raises some questions for me. (questions have been brewing since holiness intensive...)

Holiness teaching says we get entirely sanctified by faith in Jesus. A total surrender to Jesus. Its basically the same way as getting saved. So, as we get the inner witness, the assurance of Salvation do we get the assurance in the same way for full salvation? (entire sanctification)

You see, I was 'baptized' in the Holy Spirit very distinctly. I changed. I was filled with power and to a certain degree love. Since then I have deepened in both. BUT I am always unsure if I am entirely sanctified. I still have a couple of sinful habits, I still have a couple of things I do without much of a fight. Does this mean I am not entirely sanctified?

In the holiness intensive people were trying to pin point when they were entirely sanctified, for me I don't care. I want full salvation now, I want to live in it now.

How do we know we are entirely sanctified?
Can we have assurance?
If it is by faith we are saved and then we get assurance, does that mean we need faith for full salvation then get assurance meaning, I need more faith because I'm not receiving?
Is there something else in the way?
If what I always called my Baptism in the Holy Spirit is my point of full salvation, what does that say for our theology of baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Is baptism in the Holy Spirit for power the same as for holiness?
Can you have one without the other?
What do you guys think?
Can anyone help me out here?

Go to hell demons!

This post seems long but have a read. Theres a cool story at the end too!
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At Plenty Valley we've had people getting saved lately. We've also had people getting healed. Peoples lives are transforming! Hallelujah!

The other week me and some guys from Plenty Valley were mucking around saying all we need now is some deliverance ministry happening. BUT Over the last couple of days one of the leaders has been having visions of a person with a demon with its hand on their head. The leader told me that every time he tells the demon to go away it does, but then it comes back with more demons.

When this leader told me this I knew it was from God. The bible passage I was up to in my devotions was Luke 11:24-26 where Jesus is saying how demons will return with their mates.
God-incidence hey?
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How many people these days have knowingly even been involved in spiritual warfare? How many have driven a demon out of someone or something or somewhere? Who would know what to do when it comes?
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I praise God that I have been brought up in a way that doesnt leave that part of life out. I also praise God that Ive been taught I dont need to be afraid, if anyone should be afraid its the demon!
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Heres one of my stories of the power of Light over the darkness. One night I was hanging with a friend and he told me hed vowed to pray for a church over some spiritual warfare. I asked him if i could join in coz he said hed been visited by a demon the previous night and had left 'something' in the room. Being me I thought it was drugs or something. I went home first got my Bible, prayed and went to his place. Walked into his bedroom and it was hot. Windy and cold as anything outside but hot and still inside. The heater wasn't on either. A candle started flickering and we found out by prayer that the demons name was legion. We then thought this is too big for us. The word I kept getting was 'Go.' But being me I didn't say it.

After an unsuccessfull night I went home. Tried to go to sleep but was scared. The fear was getting to me. I slept with the worship music going for about a week. Then I felt ok. Then I forgot to pray protection one night and I awoke the next morning. I thought the doona was heavy on my leg and went to kick it off but it didn't come off. Then I felt something crawl up my leg and start pushing down on my face. (It would have looked just like th exorcism of Emily rose when shes being possessed)

I screamed, well tried but I was panicking so much I couldn't get anything out. I cried out to God with a massive lack of faith. Then I started calling on Dad. Seems I had more faith in him. Then it went.

It came back 2 weeks or so later. This time I had faith and knew what to say. I woke up and the same thing happened. I couldn't breath but in my head I said "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazar..." and it left. Hallelujah!

It came back last year after an interesting easter camp with a few victories to Jesus. I woke up and all the lights had turned off even though I fell asleep and they were on. I felt an evil presence coming towards me but I said "IN JESUS NAME GO!" before it got to me and it was gone!
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so, dont be scared. Declare the authority. Go drive out some demons! But much greater than that, rejoice that your name is written in the Lambs book of life!

"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:19-20 (NIV)

Porn and some G words...

I’ve been home sick the past couple of days. So, as I was in bed this morning I put the tv on and watched Oprah. Kirk Franklin was being interviewed. Kirk is a gospel singer, perhaps the biggest gospel singer around with tons of hits and millions of fans.

What Kirk had to say was that he used to be addicted to porn. He was coming out with his wife to let everyone know that porn is wrong, addictive and ruins relationships. Some of the interesting facts that the show came up with was that:

Porn is 57 Billion US dollars a year industry
Over 800 million videos made each year (just the known ones being made…)
70% hits on porn sites are while people are at work
And I googled the word ‘porn’ and came up with 94,500,000 Pages!

Kirk and some of the other people Oprah interviewed all testifies that the even by just looking at the images were as good as adultery, that they stick with you, and that it is really addictive. They also spoke about how hard it is just to speak about their porn issues. They spoke about loosing themselves to a fantasy world that they couldn’t break free from.

Kirk testified that once he told his wife things began to get better. They prayed together and his wife held him accountable. But the real reason Kirk says that helped him get through was by giving it to God, by realizing how God saw Him, and being able to accept that picture! Perhaps some words from a song he’s recently written will help;

Imagine me, loving what I see when the
Mirror looks at me ‘cause I imagine me
In a place of no insecurities
And I’m finally happy cause
I imagine me

Letting go of my past
And glad I have another chance
And my heart will dance
‘Cause I don’t have to read that page again

Gone, gone, it’s gone, all gone

The other day I wrote about the ‘G’ sins. But heres a better word to think about. Heres something that is good. Something clean and positive. Something Generous. Its GRACE. Our undeserved favour from our gracious Lord and Saviour.

Are you stuck in sin? Are you addicted? Don’t be ashamed. Give it to God. Realize who you are in Christ. Don’t carry it around. Jesus died and rose to take away our sin and shame. Thank you Jesus for your GRACE. Thank you that its "Gone, gone, it’s gone, all gone!"

If your struggling with this issue, heres a couple of sites that may be able to help you.

www.xxxchurch.com and http://salvomen.blogspot.com/

Sacraments

The new JAC (Journal of Aggressive Christianity) has just come out. Make sure you have a read! In it is a great article on the Sacraments by Captain Steve Court. Heres a bit of it...

He argues that water baptism and Lords supper are scriptural but not biblical! Meaning its in the Bible but that we dont have to do them...

He shows that water baptism was for (is for?) a public show of association with the Christians. It also has some nice symbolism.

He also reminds us that Paul says there is one baptism. (Ephesians 4:5) and thats gotta be Holy Spirit baptism...

Then communion, he reckons whenever we're celebrating the passover we break the bread etc in remembrance of Jesus. He rightly points out we don't celebrate the passover very often so don't worry about it too much. Not to mention that in Johns gospel the command is more on washing feet than anything else.

Then he drives the article home by showing that The Salvation Army has a prophetic (not priestly) calling. We are prophetically saying

"that the sacraments are helps at best, and that, in and of themselves, they don't necessarily convey any blessing that is not available without them... For a Salvationist to compromise by indulging in them necessarily waters down the corporate testimony and prophetic integrity of The Salvation Army, while, at the same time, letting down every non-Salvo believer in the whole world, to whom we are to be a prophetic testimony."

Thats only a quick review but take a look for yourself!

3 Hillsong Teachings

Hillsong is getting beat up again! im sure we've all taken a turn at bagging Hillsong at one time or another. I know I have!

If u didmt catch the news Hillsong, Australias biggest church is in the news because an ex member has left and has now written a book saying how Hillsong are all about money and recruiting. She had a great interviwe with Andrew Denton then again tonight they had a story on ACA about Hillsong.

Im sticking up for Hillsong this time. I love them. Love the impact they are having. I had a look at their website and they do a heck of alot of stuff for the community! Its funny how theyre beginning to understand that we need to love the poor! Us Salvos have been doing that forever!

Heres THREE things we need to do like Hillsong.

1) As Australians we're amongst the most richest people in the whole wide world. Jesus told us to give our money to the poor, as rich rulers we should. So good on Hillsong. We are terrible at thithing in the Army, myself included. Time to stop that people. Lets tithe. Ive got my envelopes, no more mucking around. (Good story, Sarah put all her money in the collection the other day forgetting she 'needed' it all just to get by. But, God honoured that and moneys been popping out of everywhere for her! I think shes actually up on what she had to start with...)

And I recall WBOOTH getting in trouble with the media for money stuff to. Do people understand that work costs money?

2) Recruiting, this means evangelism. We need to be more evangelistic! Get someone saved so they can get someone saved so they can get someone saved. That way it wont take so long and Jesus will come back. Lets be like Hillsong and get people saved.

3) The media love a good juicy story about Hillsong. You could say they are being hated by the world for what they believe in. Good. We should do the same. We have the same message of Gods love. We should be getting persecuted for standing up for justice and against the sins of the world! Lets do it. Hillsong, thanks for standing up and copping it on the chin.

Heres what their pastor had to say on A current affair in a letter:

"We cant control what other people think or say. But as for us, we're gonna keep on putting our hope and trust in Jesus Christ. "

Hallelujah

'G' Sins

I was going to write a new post about gay becoming cool. But as Ive thought more and more about it, its really all the sins beginning with 'G'. Has the devil flicked open the sin book to the G page?

Its now cool to:
Gossip (look at any magazine...)
be Gay (Zack last night on Big Brother)
be a Glutton (anyone for Maccas tonight?)
be Greedy (30,000 kids died last night? ahwell, how bout the Power on the weekend?)

Interesting hey? Also interesting how the devil likes to try and make us feel Guilty when we've been forgiven by God.

Well, I dont know about you, but I think God is cool.

Prayer

I was very encouraged yesterday! Firstly a guy whos been helping me out with youth group told me he spent 3 hours in prayer for youth group last night! How cools that? Thats the sort of person i want on my team!

And then one of the girls said that she was at school and saw another girl upset. So she decided to go up to her and pray for her. the girl felt better! The girl who prayed has been a Christian for 5 weeks! Hallelujah! Would you do that?

Then while we driving to youth group, another girl, saved for 3 weeks, complained to me, "We havent prayed yet! Anything could happen between church and youth group!" Then when we got back to the hall the same girl said, lets go the prayer room and pray! Hallelujah!

Next year is the Prayer Warriors session. (Salvo officer training) Sign up!

24/7 Prayer is started up too. Sign up for a session!

But the priest said, “Let’s ask God first.”
1 Samuel 14:36

Calvinist Astrologers?

I just took a quick break from an essay Im writing and saw on the T.V this astrologer speaking. He was saying that there are two ideas in life, one idea is that we have free will and we choose what we do. The other is that we're pre-wired.

This astrologer says we are pre-wired and that is why he can tell whats going to happen, and what he should say etc.

In theology there are these two different ideas that can both be taken from the Bible depending on how you interpret it. The free will idea is often given to a couple of men named Arminius and John Wesley. The pre-wired thing is given to John Calvin and a bunch of others.

This leads me to a question. Are calvinists astrologers? Or are astrologers Calvinist?

I think of the wise men looking at the stars and they follow it and find Jesus.

Are the astrologers onto something here? Do they hold the answer to the free will versus pre-wired debate? Is the answer really in the stars?

What do you guys think? Comments would be good... (thats if anyone reads this...lol)

sorry, long post

Long post, have a read though...
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Sunday was a great day.

Had a great meeting with lots of testifying! One of the best was a guy whos just been saved and told everyone how hes been reading the Bible, specifically matthew 25 and told everyone they need to be sheep and not goats! Hahaha saved for a month and hes preaching to the church!

Then Captain Colin preached really well on Daniel 9. He did a great job and the Holy Spirit definately stirred a few people up! As he preached people were putting their hands up asking if they could testify to what he was saying was true! There was a great atmosphere while he was preaching as people told stories about what God had been doing in their lives!

And at the end 2 people got saved! Hallelujah!
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Then Tish preached at Glenroy in the evening. I called her sermon the GString. 3 points as I remember them were Grace, gifts and glory! Made some cool points about how her mum use to get rid of the toys she didnt use and gave them away to people who would use them and related that to the gifts God gives us!

And finally, while me saz, simon and tish caught up for a drink Sunday night we started thinking of starting up a mission house/outpost type incarnational thing in Broadmeadows! I want to live there right next to the mosque! hahaha thatd annoy the devil! Please pray as we discern what to do next.
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Caught up with Steve Court and Danielle Strickland yesterday. Pray for them. Theyve got some great ideas for stuff. Look out for the "Just Salvos" brand coming up. Danielle incharge of justice has a bunch of cool ideas that we need to support!

We spoke about "Sally Ann" products from Bangladesh (home league that gives prostitutes a better job) that I want Australia to jump on but shes already in the early stages of it! Good timing God. Shes pushing for the Army to become fair trade. I added we could have fair trade uniforms...
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Ive written too much today. Pray for S____. Shes homeless and needs Jesus.
Who you trying to get saved? Get a move on, who knows when Jesus is coming back.
Use your gifts, pray, step out in faith.

While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for his holy hill- 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision: 24 "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. Daniel 9:20-24

Lukes a good read! Come across some awessome stuff!
1) Jesus loves to spend time with the poor and oppressed. Its great seeing this again! We need to stick to this! We've done this with the youth at Plenty Valley and its been great! Youth coming to Jesus for His help! Its so good seeing people healed o physical and emotional stuff! And one newly saved girl said Gods healing her social life too!

2) The same idea of "only believe" keeps popping up! I want to have faith like the centurion in chapter 7! Jesus was on His way to the blokes house but he understood authority. Just do it he tells Jesus! Jesus is blown away! Imagine if we prayed like that! hahaha REVIVAL

3) Jesus ministry always had something extra to it, like miracles, authority etc I love it when JBs (john baptist) followers ask Jesus a question and Jesus says, ""Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy^[a] are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 23Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Hahaha The way JB knew this was the Messiah was the above points! Surely that says something of what our ministry should be?

Praise God.
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Also, Steve Court on the armybarmy blog has had a good week blogging. Ive found it really encouraging being an evangelist! Have a read. Anyone want to start up the Salvos in a country overseas?
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Also, I dont know how many people have asked these questions.
1) God, do you want me to be an officer?
2) Where would your gifts and ministry flourish the MOST?
3) Am I giving my best for God or nearly my best?
4) What am I called to do?

MORE SALVATION!

Woohoo!

Thursday nights are turning into Salvation nights at Plenty Valley! We had another girl commit her life to Jesus tonight! Hallelujah! God is good!

Also, a girl was there who had been feeling sick. She had tummy problems so we prayed for her. As we were praying for her she was completely healed and started laughing because she couldnt believe it!

I also started our first youth bible study tonight. We read about how Jesus called the fishermen, "Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." I then challenged them to start getting their friends saved!

i love Thursdays! i love Jesus!

Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." Mark 16:15-18

Reading Luke..

Ive been reading through a bit of Luke the last few days and come across some really good stuff!

Luke 6:30-31 always challenges me right to the core!

Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

So whenever someones been asking something of me Ive been trying to help the best I can! Gods been challenging me with this and I'm definitely getting better because of His blood! Hallelujah!

Second passage, Luke 6:43-45

43"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Great holiness stuff there hey? What causes you to sin? Sin in the heart! Get rid of it!

So, are you so full of love that all you can do is loving acts? Do you go the extra mile? Do you love to love people? Do you freely give stuff away? I hope you do! If not, then give your life to Jesus, let Him take it and change you!

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A couple of new bloggers are around

LieutenantDave Collinson the TYS http://lieutenantdave.blogspot.com/
and Comissioner Wesley Harris http://harrismandw.blogspot.com/

Havent blogged for a few days! Had lots of thoughts though. Heres a couple!

Just a passing thought but have we as an Army left our apostles in places for too long, not building up replacements, then not left pastors in places long enough?

Heres my thinking, our apostles (that i see at the moment) tend to stay in a place for a while then their ministry almost becomes stagnant. The corps/outpost etc stops growing rapidly. Is the reason for that because they are called to start something up, but then they fail to hand over to a good pastor who can then take it further?

Then on the flip side, do we give our pastors enough time to do their thing? And do they have the accountability that if they're doing no good we find something else for them to do or relieve them of their duties? (William Booth use to do that...) just some thoughts...
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Doncaster shopping town (big mall) is getting a massive facelift. Theyve decided to put in a whole lot more shops. Someone told me they were spending a billion dollars on it. (dont know how true that is) But Ive learnt something from it.

They already had a good business. But to make it better they had to close alot of shops. They then had to pull down a bunch of shops and car parks. Then they started renovations, then they started completely new things. Then eventually it will be ALOT bigger and better than it was before.

Surely this is what we need to do as The Salvation Army?
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Hers some AFL for you. There are a bunch of coaches teams that are under performing. Coaches that havent done their job properally/successfully. The team then reviews whats happening then decides whether it is the coaches fault, whether the coach is heading in the right direction, and whether there are others who could do better. Then they fire or rehire.

Think about that.
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Plenty Valley is going well! New name for our Youth stuff, I think it is going to be REVOLUTION! Not original but says what we want. Also, youth group possibly called riot. Please pray! We need good solid leaders! Thank you Jesus!

Candidates weekend

Just got back from candidates weekend. A weekend for those thinking about becoming a Salvation Army Officer.

I went thiking I had it all sorted out, when I was going in, what Id do until then etc. But God has other ideas. He has His own plan and its different to mine! It looks alot more exciting, challenging, action packed! hahaha Im a bit confused, but Im trusting in Jesus! I'll go and do whatever He tells me!

The theme of the weekend, "Give up your small ambitions and come change the world!" The arrogant statement based on MArk 8:34-35. It is arrogant but how can you read the Bible and not be arrogant about the life changing victorious God we serve? God wants all to be saved. He wants all to know His love.

So, what are you doing with your life? What passions do you have? What skills and gifts do you have? Where would be the BEST (not just the ok) place to use them? Where would you be MOST effective?

Consider SALVATION ARMY OFFICERSHIP! You get paid to LOVE GOD AND LOVE OTHERS! Too good to be true? No! Its a blessing! Step out in faith and declare it yours today!

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. Mark 8:34-35

MORE SALVATION!

Woohoo! More Salvation tonight! I can get very use to this!

I met a girl at brekie club and invited her to come and help do some red shield collecting. Since then we've spent a bit of time together, we invited her to band practice and pizza nights etc amd tonight she asked God to free her from a bunch of things. The point that was the best for me during the night was when she was sining with the band and said something along these lines, "I could feel God pumping through my veins!" Hallelujah!

Its so great to see how happy she was tonight! What a difference God can make! Pray for her as she starts her walk with God!

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Tracks

Tracks magazine, also known as the surefers bible is probably the best surfing magazine there is. Its been around for ages, it reports all sorts of surfing news, and also tries to change the world...

Their latest issue is called the green issue. The front cover boasts 97% recycled stories and photos! They boast a proud history of activism against environmental nasties and I think we could all learn a bit from the surfing community about respecting nature. While I may not always agree with all their ideas the theology behind it is good. Anyways, in the magazine it has a couple of lists. Heres the first one:

TEN TRACKS FIGHTS

1) Ocean sewerage

From issue 1 right through to today this fight has been waging. One of the governments not so great ideas is to pump sewerage straight back into the water. Not good for the sea bed or for surfers who get sick from it!

2) Uranium mining

1977 had a great article on the pros and cons. Theyve been involved in reporting protests and the like and continue the debate today.

3) Sand mining

With a housing boom from 1972-early 80's on the east coast builders turned to sand mining from beaches. This problem is obvious for surfers!

4)Kirra
Possibly the premier wave spot in Australia. In 1972 the government of Queensland built a groyne to trap sand. This had a negative effect on the surf and environment. Tracks has also been opposed to coastal development in the same area.

5) Coastal Development

This debate gets pretty heated and Tracks has been there the whole way. The front page of the April 2002 issue was dedicated to this.

6) Save the Whales!

Tracks says it feels hippy saying the above, but "We've always tried to identify with people who have an affinity with nature and an interest in protecting it." Tracks made a bit of a noise and in 1978 Australian whaling ceased. In 1988 there was an article of what to do if a whale beached itself, 1999 massive article on whaling, and finally in 2007 the Australian government has decided to fight whaling instead of pretending it doesnt exist...

7) Nuclear Testing

The French wanted to test bomb in the South Pacific and the editor at the time got real mad. The Surfing championships wanted to boycott all French events. The French didnt care, it still went ahead but they tried!

8) The rainforests

1976 The woodchip debate. "In less than 200 years of white settlement 3/4's of the forests have been destroyed!" Tracks have called people to join the protests of intense logging.

9) Overseas footprints

During the 90's Tracks spent alot of time encouraging readers to respect the environments that they travel to. "Leave only footprints, take only memories."

10) Global Warming

Tracks wants to raise awareness and teach people how they can make a difference where they are. In the current issues they have 20 easy ways to help...

So there we go. You may raise your eyebrow to a few of them but what a respectable community hey? They love surfing, see the link between surfing and the environment and fight for what they believe in. As Christians Im sure we should be sticking up for Gods creation and not just stuffing it up. How would you feel if you made something then people came and abused it? Come on people, its just love! Im sure we can all change some of our routines etc and help a bit...

I havent been blogging anywhere near as much as I would have liked but ive been busy! Its good though. Beginning to see some fruit from all the work we've been doing at Plenty Valley!
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heres a couple of thoughts, 1) Isnt it amazing how when some leaders ask you to go out of your way to do something you will plainly say no, but when a different leader, one who has earnt your trust and respect asks the same thing you willingly say ok? Im amazed at Johnothan sticking up for David in 1 Samuel...
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Salvo Surfers was fantastic! Had a ball! Got some waves and had alot of fun! A big thank you to Torquay Surf Academy for cheap wetsuit hire and another big thank you to Torquay Holiday Resort for the cheap camp site! God bless those people!
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The other day I was kicking the footy at church when a youth walked past. I ran up and introduced myself etc. Then today I got a phone call from a youth ive been hanging with a bit and asked if Id come play basketball with him. Of course I said ok, but what blew me away was that the guy who I asked the other day is this guys next door neighbour and he brought his friend aswell to come and play today! hahaha God is here!
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Prayer points! Got lots starting up at Plenty Valley Youth this term! Gonna get real busy!
1) Homework club
2) Youth Group
3) Youth Church with small groups etc
4) Basketball team
5) Salvo Surfers
6) Kids Church
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Blogs coming up:
some surf culture Kingdom lessons
lots of LISTS

Salvo Surfers Start!

Salvo Surfers!

What are you doing tomorrow? Monday 9th and Tuesday 11th? Im taking a few of the guys from Plenty Valley to Torquay for a bit of camping and surfing! If you wanna come let me know!

Look out for more Salvo Surfers stuff happening! Its a new ministry Im starting up. I wanna take the gospel to the surf culture and bring a bit of the surf culture to the salvos!

I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
1 orinthians 9:22

SIN NATURE

Make sure you read the other blog below, very exciting times!!!

Heres a quote by Brengle,

"Now, what is the trouble with the man? What is the name of this troublesome 'something'? Paul calls it by several names. In Rom. viii. 7 he calls it ' the carnal mind,' and he says it is 'enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.' You cannot fix it up. You cannot whitewash it over. You cannot make it better by culture or growth, or by any effort whatever. It is an enemy of God, and cannot be anything else.

In the seventh chapter (verse 24) he calls it 'the body of this death' and wonders how he can get deliverance from it. In Eph. iv. 22, and in Col. iii. 9, he calls it 'the old man.' In Gal. v.17, he calls it 'the flesh.' James calls it 'superfluity of naughtiness,' which is also well rendered, 'the remainder of iniquity' (Jas. i. 21).

John calls it 'sin,' as distinct from 'sins,' and the 'works of the devil.' In Ezek. xxxvi. 26 it is called a 'stony heart.' The theologians call it 'inbred sin,' 'original sin' and 'depravity.' Whatever you wish to call it, it is something evil and awful, that remains in the heart after a man has been converted."

How to get rid of it coming soon...

WOW

Had another great night at a Corps the other night. What happened could be called as Reggie Dabbs sings, A Holy Ghost Party! The Holy Spirit made His presence known very early as we confessed our sins to God, asked for forgiveness and declared ourselves forgiven by God because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross.

The night was put on so that those youth that wanted to be baptised in the Holy Spirit could come and be so. We started praying and the Holy Spirit did HEAPS of amazing things! As we prayed people were being overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit and falling to the ground praying their hearts out. There were tears of consecration, tears of repentance and tears of joy.

There was some curse renouncing, there was very eager prayer, prayer that God would touch peoples lives and that they would know it! And He did! Anyone who was there would not have been able to deny that God was there and moving in an amazing way! All this backed by a cd player playing praise and worship songs. The night was very special. God was worshipped. People were humbled. And now I pray that lives will be changed as these youth live Holy Spirit empowered lives and touch people wherever they go!

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

SALVATION!

WOW!

Last nights band practice was FANTASTIC! I had to choose the songs for the meeting etc and so when three youth rocked up un-announced I was excited they had come, but after a while, all I wanted to do was worship God, and these youth were just stuffing around! We closed the night in prayer as we normally do, but before we got praying...

one of them asked if they could "feel the power of God like I had described the other day!". So I told them the way of Salvation, then spoke briefly about the Holy Spirit. I then told them they had to pray and ask for forgiveness of their sins and give their life to God.

What followed was amazing. Two of them gave their lives over to God, confessing their sins to Him, saying sorry, giving their life to Him, then we prayed for them one at a time. They both felt the Holy Spirit touching them!

What is great is that one of them had been hanging around for ages, and he finally committed to the Lord, the other had been with us only once before. It just goes to show that the good news is the power of God to save! Hallelujah!

Join with me as I pray for these youth!

Wholistic Mission

God is good! More prophetic confirmation today!

Also, been thinking about wholistic mission. Heres what I'm thinking, if we choose to do only 'part' of our mission, (e.g social work OR evangelism) then we are in effect compromising our mission. If our social centers are not wholistic then they are a compromise of our mission. More importantly I think, if Corps are not engaged in wholistic mission they too have a compromised mission. Both are a waste of resources.

Jesus was asked whats the most important commandment, He replied, "LOVE God and LOVE others." If we do both of these we cant go wrong. Jesus' greatest command was wholistic! However how many Corps and Social Centers are missionally compromised?

I'm not saying the work they do is bad, wrong, or not worthwhile! Far from that. We do HEAPS of GREAT work even when our mission is compromised! What I am saying though is that it is not complete.

As The Salvation Army we are trying to accomplish our mission right? So many of us don't believe we're doing that, its too big a mission! Then what is the point? I want to see our mission completed! Our mission is there because The Salvation Army was raised up to accomplish that mission. If what we are doing does not accomplish that mission then why do we keep doing it?

We have two ways forward. 1 is to keep going about things slowly, gradually trying to change the culture of the Army. Eventually it might work out. 2 is aggressive. Its to take a stand right now, to change structures, procedures, thinking, and to join the rEVOLution! Slash and burn to build up a strong new force that will see Australia and the world impacted by Jesus' wholistic commandments.

How are you LOVING God and your neighbor?

Authority

Ive been reading 1 and 2 Samuel. I'm always amazed at David in the Old Testament. Saul tried to kill him on several occasions. He tried to kill him in the palace, then tried to get the Philistines to kill him in battle, and then he chased him all over the place for yonks! He had to hide in caves, and even had a chance to kill him, but didnt! What was he thinking?

Saul was an idiot. He would clearly disobey God. David should have been the King. Saul was not who was meant to be King, he was doing the right thing. Why didn't David just kill him? It would have saved time, pain, and everything would have been sorted out much quicker? I don't get it?

People talk about how all authority comes from God so we should submit to those in authority. I find that terribly hard to believe. What about Saddam Hussein? Hitler? Constantine? Mohammad? Saul? How does that work? They clearly disobey God. Clearly sin! And sin ALOT! And David killed Goliath! Thats just as much of a sin as killing Saul isnt it? Goliath was in authority, how come he didn't bow to that?

I know God is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He gets our 1st Submission, against Him we cannot go. But how does that work with David? He could have killed him, or atleast overthrown him and stopped such sin from happening. Gee, I sound like I'm saying we need to sin sometimes to do good! AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!

Anyways, I believe if people in authority are sinning, arent repenting even though theyve been warned, we need to step up sometimes. But does anyone have something smart to say about this compared to my dribble? Is there a differernce between authority in the church and worldly authority? how do we get rid of bad leaders in the church? hahahaha im too tired for this!

Prophet words and holiness

I feel like Ive been one of those Kings in the Old Testament, who even after hearing remarkably prophetic words from prophets theyre still not sure and do their own thing! I woke up the other morning and God told me to write in my journal instead of Bible and prayer, So I did. Then later in the day God sent a prophet to speak to me who said some amazing things. What this prophet was telling me to do was backed up by a string of comments about things I had written in my journal. Even though that was so obviously God, theres still something in me that says, hold on, I need more confirmation! Prophets, cant live with them, cant live without them! hahaha

Also, I need to testify to some of the victories Ive been having on the holiness front. Im beginning to understand the meaning of having faith leading to holiness. Ive been alot more believing in my prayers, and its working! Hallelujah. A few weeks ago at Basketball I got sent out of the stadium for a bit of unsportsmanlike behaviour. Nothing serious but it was unsportsman like. This Monday I was completely differernt, I shook all their hands, wished them the best, congratulated them after good shots, and they let me stay playing! hahaha also,

I can get annoyed at people who dont drive "properally." Some may call it road rage. But since believeing more, Ive stopped getting angry and frusturated, and have started to really just not care! Hallelujah!

Do you want the blessing of a clean heart? Do you want to be filled with love? Do you want to have the choice wether to sin or not instead of falling into sinful habits? Devote your whole life to God, leave it on the altar, let Him purify you, have faith that it is done, and as Brengle said, "Testify, Testify, Testify!"

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness! 1 John 1:9

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Prayer

Check this out: www.24-7.salvationarmy.org.au

24/7 prayer in our territory! Hallelujah! Prayer joins every revival! Lets get the coggs turning people!

Also, holiness intensive! Nearly finished! Im sooo worn out! Anyways, its been interesting that some people seem to think Entire Sanctification is about the time when it happend. I couldnt care less about when it happend only that we are living in the power and grace of God. How does that sit with people? If youre not sure if youve been entirely sanctified, does that language sound better? I should also note, look at Romans 7 and 8, which chapter are you living in? If youre Romans 8 that would probably mean youve been entirely sanctified! Romans 7 then follow thses steps:

1) Ask God to show you all your sins, (places where youre falling short and disobeying God.)
2) Say sorry for them, and turn away from them
3) Give God your whole life, time, money, skills, posessions, tell Him He can do what He likes with your life. What you lay on the 'altar' God will 'sanctify' (what you give to God He will make holy/set apart)
4)Live out your life in faith the things God has intended for you. That you shall not be slave to sin, but slave to righteousness!
5) Tell people the victories you have over sin, and temptation!

God is good!

"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

Lowering Standards

I get frusturated and annoyed when I hear people talking about entire sanctification/full salvation and downgrade the meaning so that they can say they have entire sanctification or full salvation. It can be scarey to think that we're not entirely sanctified but it does not mean we are not saved. It does not mean we're second class Christians! It just means we're not entirely sanctified!

For all salvationists out there, here is a reason from our core beliefs why we cant downplay entire sanctification, this shows entire sanctification is different to regeneration and continued obedient faith (which are present in any saved Christian, entirely sanctified or not...)

Doctrine 7
We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.

Doctrine 9
We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.

Doctrine 10
We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Doctrine 7 and 9 are different than 10, if they were not different they wouldnt have had to put number 10 in there! Number 10 is different. But it is connected!

Brengle uses the example of someone turning on the light switch then the light coming on. 2 different things that are connected. Not the same, but connected!

If youre a salvo, what do you think? Have I got this wrong?

"Living in sin"

I went and listend to "Franky Wants Out" (a friends band) play in a pub the other night. They sounded pretty good, had the Evelyn full and there was a pretty good atmosphere. It was great to see so many salvos there, one friend of mine said that we should have worn uniform and put it in for stats for something!

Anyway, thats one point. Church doesnt need to be done in a church building. It can be done anywhere. I think the salvos these days are struggling to reach the people outside of the church in the same way we use to. We use to be able to go into pubs, make a noise, sing some songs and lead people to Christ. Why is it different today? I think the culture in the pubs have changed, and the culture of Salvationists have changed.

Secondly, the band played a song called "Living in sin." The lead singer raised his glass to living in sin. The song may have been jovial, it was certainly catchy, but I believe this represents alot of Salvationists these days.

I need to clarify that Im not bagging Salvationists. Im not talking about Salvationists state of eternal salvation. What I am talking about is Entire Sanctification. Im my holiness intensive its been confirmed that we are generally no longer taught holiness. We're not taught practical holiness. I know there are some officers that do teach the subject, but generally speaking we dont teach it anymore. When it is taught its normally hidden, but I have not heard many sermons on entire sanctification as The Salvation Army believes.

This potentially means that alot of Salvationists are living in sin. If we're not being taught or encouraged to seek Entire Sanctification then not may will be entirely sanctified.

I believe there is a direct link between our holiness beliefs and our missional focus. Entire Sanctification means getting rid of your sin nature (not just committed sins) by the blood of Jesus and being filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, being filled with perfect love, so that we no longer follow the sinful nature but the loving nature. If all Salvationists had this Im sure we would look different. Im sure our mission would look different.

Anyways, thats my ramblings for the day!

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25

Kylies Underwear!

Holiness intensive has been great! So much to say but I'll talk about that later.

I love kylie Minogue. I even bought her Kylie Fever CD even though everyone was teasing me. But whats annoying me at the moment is Kylie's new range of lingerie for 8-16 year olds!

Kylie sees lingerie today "like shoes and diamonds - a girl simply can’t have too many" on her website it speaks of lingerie range as "sexy, lacy, racy, girly, fun, comfortable for everyday ... and night."

Are these the types of messages we should be sending our young girls and young teenagers? Why do we need to make lingerie for young girls? Why do the girls feel that they need to be 'sexy' when they're not even a teenager? Why does the industry want to open lingerie up to even younger girls? What motivates these people? Will this situation get better or worse in time? How close is the gap between wearing sexy underwear and getting engaging in sex, be it in thoughts or deeds? How does this make God feel? How do you feel women?

To me, it is clear that our culture sees nothing as sacred compared to the almighty dollar. Our culture is saying that its ok to treat women like objects. Its saying that the outward appearance is more important than the inside, the heart. Morality comes second to lust.

As for me, I'm going to try and live my life giving worth to women, not treating them as objects or posessions or as 'eye candy.'

Holiness Intensive day 3

So busy!!! Plenty Valley is going well! I smell a salvation! More details soon!

Im loving this holiness intensive! John Wesley was a great man and has left a great impression on the world. Its been great seeing:

a) holiness/entire sanctification/full salvation is scriptural and
b) holiness/entire sanctification/full salvation is possible
c) Wesley's theology of prevenient grace (God working in/for us before salvation)
d) how positive Wesleyan theology is toward humanity

A man was put in prison because he killed someone. After a bit the warden came to give him his pardon. He came to the cell and gave the pardon to the murderer, he left the door open but the man stayed in his cell. He was in the cell because he comitted the crime, but he stayed there because he rejected the pardon. I'm sure you can see what that means...

3 Critical Theological Points

1) Salvation also known as Salvation
2) Entire Sanctification also known as Full Salvation
3) Glorification also known as Final Salvation

Both Wesleyan and Calvinist theologies have all 3 points, the difference being Calvin believes entire sanctification cant happen during our time on earth whilst Wesley does.

Finally, Calvins theology comes out of their belief of the nature of God (which is that God is Sovereign.) Wesley started in a different spot, He started at Gods character. (LOVE) Therefore Calvins ideas of once saved always saved, irresistable grace, double predestination etc are dont work when if we start at a God who LOVES us! More on this later!

Holiness intensive day 1

Woohoo! Im doing an intensive on holiness for the next two weeks, which means im studying at the training college during the mornings, and working in the afternoons! Busy busy! Please pray for me!

But its great. I'm really looking forward to learning heaps more! Todays lecture was pretty simple to me. (done all the thinking before...) I learnt some new stuff that I hadnt heard before which is making other things make sense but it also made me aware of a couple of misconceptions about holiness. I'm not sure if these are in Geoff and Kaylie Webbs new book, which im hearing is very very good, but I'll pop them up anyway...

Some think holiness means:

1) Entire sanctification is a destination, but its not
2) we dont recieve the Holy Spirit until wholly sanctified, but thats wrong!
3) only the wholly holy go to heaven, wrong again!
4) that the not entirely sanctified are second class citizens, this is untrue
5) legalism and self righteousness, but its actually the opposite...
6) sinlessness is the goal of the sanctified life, which is wrong as it leaves out being full of love (sorry coz i've probably written down this trail of thought before without adding the love bits...)
7) that the wholly holy wont get tempted, but even Jesus was tempted
8) the same as entire sanctifiaction, again not so (will talk more about this later!)
9) some think that the expectaions of holiness are impossible to live up to, but isnt grace more powerful than sin???

once again, i think language is one of the doctrine of holiness' biggest obstacles...

got so much more to write but will save it for another day!!!

Tagged

I was just 'tagged' by Jo Brookshaw, so here I go, tagging away too: Simon Mapleback, Greg Peterson, Xander Coleman, Sarah Elley and Tish Rowe. You guys are next...

OK, the rules: grab the book closest to you. Turn to page 161. Print the 5th complete sentence on your blog. Tag 5 others.

"Once again, Jesus is our best example."
(The Forgotten Ways, Alan Hirsch)

Read a great quote in a book the other day saying that spiritual gifts are given to those who "are willing and not necessarily mature!" I agree with that. I think thats a great reason why we should have priesthood of all believers!!!!!! We all have a part to play!

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another thought ive been thinking with friendship evangelism, if we're being their friends until they are 'ready' to commit, or waiting until they see something they like to convert, or start a conversation, and we dont talk or warn them about sin, then what are they really being saved from? And saved into what? Saved into a nice set of morals??? Please!!!!! We have enough of those people already! Lets get people saved from sin who wanna see others saved from sin!!!!

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Colin did a great preach on Sunday talking about cleaning out the shed. Even mentioned Brengle and at the end gave us a chance to clean out our hearts. Thought it was good and had a good prayer time.

Thats it for tonight

New Blog

I stumbled across a new blog this morning by Alan Hirsch. Its called "The Forgotten ways", named after his most recent book. Heres a quote about the book:

"How did the number of Christians in the world grow from as few as 25,000 one hundred years after Christ’s death to up to 20 million in AD 310?

How did the Chinese underground church grow from 2 million to over 100 million in sixty years despite considerable opposition? In The Forgotten Ways, Alan Hirsch reveals the paradigmatic insights he discovered as he delved into those questions. He then translates these findings into the context of the contemporary Western church."

There the sort of questions im interested in. Hirsch is now at Fuller over in the U.S which to me means his pretty good! I believe hes aussie, or atleast spent heaps of time in Australia. Im sure his blog and website will be helpful and challenging. Check it out.

http://www.theforgottenways.org/

Hate sin

i read in the newspaper today an article by a muslim. This person was saying that Peter ostello is harsh on muslims but not catholics. The article is basically about catholics and muslims not accepting the secular but how costello only has a go at the muslims.. The author also draws parallells between George Pell and the Sheik Hilal. While i dont agree with alot of the article it made me think.

Muslims tend to get pretty upset when someone has a go at their reigion or their god. Im reminded of the catch the fire ministries guys, and even times when radio people have been made to appologise to muslims. It can be seen today that you cant tease or mock Islam otherwise you will get in trouble from either the law, the community, or from angry muslims...

Then we look at what is acceptable in society. Look at how many movies and tv shows reguarly use Jesus name in vain. Its a swear word. A quick listen to any of the last few comedy festivals and you will see that there is always atleast one comedian who bases an act on mocking Christianity.

I believe as Christians we have dropped the ball big time. Not just on things like using the Lords name in vain but especially in social justice issues. These are all problems of sin. Even in many churches theology is turning liberal making sin not to be as bad as what it once was. Is the reason why it is acceptable because we allow it or because we're forgiving? It doesnt matter.

Jesus said its better to lose an eye than go to hell, He also said that whoever causes a kid to sin deserves to be drowned! Paul speaks about hating even the clothes stained by sin. Sin is bad. As Christians we should hate all sin!

We should hate social evils like alcohol, drugs, human trafficking, prostitution, sleeping around, unfair laws, not worshiping Jesus etc Theres so many I cant list them all...

Anyway, the article made me think, we need to hate sin more.

1 John 1 and Romans 7

Firstly, make sure you read the other blog (how are you?) below and check out the challenge at the end...

There have been a couple of comments on one of my blogs about holiness. Its amazing how many people dont believe we can be holy on the Earth now. Its amazing the Scripture some people use to try and defend their position. Its amzing how many Salvationists no longer believe our doctrines.

I want to have a quick look at 1 John 1:5-2:11. Most of this part is from John Wesley...

Many people use verse 8, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" to say we cant be holy. Verse 8 is speaking about before we have been cleansed by the blood, as verse 9 say BUT "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

1) Both to forgive us our sins — To take away all the guilt of them.
2) And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness — To purify our souls from every kind and every degree of it.

All unrighteousness, that to me means original sin, personal sin, sinful desires and passions, ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. The only thing left that can make us sin is the same disobedience that Adam and Eve committed when they took the apple.

Verse 10 then says we have all sinned. We agree. We can never forget that we have been past sinners.

The rest of the passage speaks of living in the light, about not sinning, about how if we really are in Jesus then we wont sin!

People also use Romans 7:15 "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Unfortunately they again have missed what Paul is saying. Look at verse 14 says, "We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin" hes having a go at the jews. Hes being sarcastic. He does this sort of thing all the time. (look at Romans 6:1, 6:15 etc)

Then he builds his case in the next few verses finally coming to 24 "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" Then he gives his answer, "25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." Once again we see there are two sides to be on, death and sin or God and righteousness! Romans 7 is totally connected to Romans 6:11-14 if you dont think this logic is working! Hes saying he is a slave to righteousness not sin!

Heres a couple more verses that I believe back me up, Galatians 5:24 "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." 1 Thessalonians 5:23 "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The Salvation Army Doctrine 10:We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

ok thats me, and how I read those passages, Im open for a debate!

How are you?

I was finishing off reading John Wimbers Power Evangelism the other day and came across a cool story. It basically goes along these lines...

Wimber had finished teaching a "Signs and Wonders" course at a uni. One of the students came up to him and asked, "What do I do now?" The man spent alot of his time in admin meetings and didnt know what to do with what he had just learnt. Wimbers advice was simple, "Be like Jesus wherever you go, whatever you do."

He then got a letter back from the student saying that he would ask people, "How are you?" then pray for them on the spot and he had great results.

So today I was on msn talking to someone I hadnt for some time. Shes going through a rough time and needs some answers. I offerd to pray for her even though shes REALLY anti-God. The name "Greg" kept coming into my head so of course I told God He was crazy, well, that I was crazy and it wasnt Him speaking to me. But it didnt leave me alone. I remembered the above story and asked her if she knew who Greg was.

The question about Greg fitted perfectly into the conversation and when she asked how I knew I was able to tell her God had told me, followed up by my typical, "I told you God was real!" She now has a taste that God is real, and I can continue to challenge her about her faith in God.

So, whoever reads my blog, Be like Jesus and Do like Jesus! Step out in faith! Who cares if we get laughed at, imagine getting people saved on the spot with a demonstration of Gods power! Its about time we let God do His thing!

Heres the challenge: Whenever you ask how someone is, pray for them right away on the spot for their troubles! Lets put the pressure on God to heal people! To free people! To show people His love in a practical way! God move in our lives!

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power!
1 Corinthians 2:4

Workers Needed

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

DO YOU LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOU HAVE? DO YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF? DO YOU WANT TO SEE PEOPLE SAVED FROM SIN BOTH IN THE NOW AND FOR ETERNITY?

THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE SALVATION ARMY PLENTY VALLEY YOUTH FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE GOD AND LOVE PEOPLE. WE HAVE HEAPS OF CONTACTS WITH YOUTH BUT ARE IN SHORTAGE OF COMMITTED MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD WHO CAN BE READILY AVAILABLE TO GO AND DO WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF THEM.

WE ARE WANTING TO SERVE THE YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY AS BEST WE CAN WITH SCHOOL BREAKFAST CLUBS, HOMEWORK CLUBS, SPORTS TEAMS, MENTORING, AND OF COURSE LEADING PEOPLE TO CHRIST. AS WELL AS WITH MANY MORE IDEAS AND PLANS THAT WE HAVE.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THE PLENTY VALLEY AREA ARE SADLY GOING TO HELL, AND SOME FEEL AS THOUGH THEY ARE ALREADY THERE.

IT DOESNT NEED TO BE LIKE THAT! WE DONT WANT IT TO BE LIKE THAT!

WE NEED MEN AND WOMEN WHO LOVE GOD, HAVE A BURNING PASSION FOR PEOPLE GETTING SAVED BOTH TEMPORALLY AND ETERNALLY. PEOPLE WILLING TO GO THE EXTRA MILE. WE NEED UNASHAMED SERVANTS OF JESUS TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY. PEOPLE WHO WILL LOVE PEOPLE UNCONDITIONALLY!

IF YOUVE GOT WHAT IT TAKES, OR WANT TO LEARN HOW TO SERVE GOD THEN COME JOIN THE PLENTY VALLEY YOUTH TEAM. CONTACT ME!

LETS SAVE THE WORLD!

Pimp my ride

Saw this (below) on Joe Nolands web site...

On the back window it says "For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life!" On the sides theres also words like "love" "agape" etc... The coffin inside turned into a platform for the singing group to use...

So, does anyone have a hearse we can pimp out? We can grab some massive rims, get the neon strobe lights put on, a novelty horn, chuck some awessome speakers in the back, get the music pumping and cruise down Chapel street and do some evangelism!

I reckon its a great idea! If you wanna pledge some money for it, or donate the car prefably let me know!

Bob and Shazza

One day a man named Bob had a great girlfriend called Shazza who was a doctor. They did all sorts of stuff together. They would hang out on weekends, and Shazza helped Bob with alot of his problems. You could say Bob owed her one... owed her alot atually.

Bob met a woman at work named Di. They enjoyed working together, having a few drinks after work and having good chats. But Bob never spoke about his girlfriend. Shazza knew all about Di, but Di didnt know anything about Shazza. He didnt want to ruin the relationship with Di so he thought hed keep quiet until Di would understand...

Then one day Shazza had enough and cut off all ties with Bob because Bob was ashamed of her even though Shazza had done so much for him. Then Di fell seriously ill and died.

Thats what evangelism these days is like and i hate it.

I hate how we use 'steps' to get people saved. I hate how we want to get people into this program to get them into this program before we can talk about God. Are we ashamed of God? How did Shazza feel? How does God feel?

To be really effective God needs to be in every part of our life. People these days DO BELIEVE in GOD!!! They may not like church, but a quick look at our culture will reveal people are craving some type of spirituality. hey are searching for Jesus but many will not find Him.

If you had the cure for AIDS what would you do? If you had the cure for sin, lonliness, depression, sickness, demon posession, and death etc what would you do?