Faith and what?

The book of James has a challenge for us! No I'm not talking about James' Blog at WhollyHoly (nice plug there for a mate - I know he'll do the same for me), I'm talking about Jesus' brother James.

He says, faith without action is dead. Absolutely useless. Maybe you're an activist and this means nothing to you. Or maybe you love reading blogs and doing absolutely nothing about your faith. Then this applies to you. Or maybe you know of the guys that go to church each week, enjoy the arnott's biscuits, enjoy the fellowship and then goes home to continue to live a life with no fruit or action.

Calling all Salvationists! It's time for a vibrant faith, that believes for the impossible, expressed in action that wants to win the world for Jesus! A faith expressed in action. Fighting for the oppressed, praying for your local school, visiting the sick lady in the church, saying hello at the Salvos Store around the corner, inviting your friend over for dinner...

You wanna read of faith in action, check out some of the blogs at mercypeacegrace and of course there are many others!

Dear Jesus, I wanna take my faith to the next level. I'm sick of playing the religion game. I'm sicking of playing the theology game. I'm ready for a radical faith, expressed in daring action. Amen! Share

When is enough, enough?

How long do you continue to pour resources into a church that won't budge, nor grow, nor change? How long do you care before you crack? How much time do you invest before the time is up? Do we continue to love and support and pamper, because we are simply a local church where 'God is love' and there is no condemnation or judgement?

These are questions I was wondering with a friend last night. If a church is unwilling to change and do what is necessary to reach the lost, be involved in mission, help the needy, etc, when is enough, enough?

Our desire is to go into all the world and make disciples. Should we close corps that are disobedient? What about closing corps that never grow, and always have the same people, week after week and never do any practical mission?

What are the effective ways of helping soldiers to see the bigger picture, to think outside the square and to reach outside the world in which they currently live?

Lots of questions at the moment... But here's my big one... Do we appoint good officers to lousy corps, or allow good officers to create new expressions of Salvation Army ministry? Share

Pete's Pastoral Care Time!

* Happy Birthday to Rachael Collins (a cadet in our session), hope you have a cool night tonight!

* We're all praying that the new Victorian premier John Brumby will be blessed by God as he makes decisions that affect Victoria, Australia.

* I'm praying for healing for my mate Shaun whose been unwell lately... not to mention everyone else whose sick; I hope God will bless you!

* For all those that are wanting to change the World and God hasn't brought the harvest yet... Be content where God has called you at this point in time.

* Just a thought for you, in such a pluralistic, 'anything goes' society, remember, love the sinner, hate the sin. Don't love the sinner and love the sin. (Just a thought...)

* Thanks to all those at the Training College who have supported the 75 hours of prayer we will be doing. (I hope you've heard of the 24/7 prayer happening within the Salvation Army Southern Territory)

* God comfort those right now, who feel abused, who feel depressed, who are addicted, who are hurting, who are lonely, who are supressed, in the name of Jesus! Share

Heart to God, Hand to Man

Here's a thought: In the Salvation Army, have we let our hand for man extend beyond our heart for God? That is, have we seeked to serve others so much so, that we have gone beyond our ability to disciple and therefore people serve in TSA without a relationship with Jesus?

There's a debate to be had here. We may know the 'Good Samaritan' story, that encourages us to help those in need. Now, do we continue to expand social ministries; even if we expand without Christian influence, but knowing that humanity will be better off in the physical realm? Or do we hinder the practical support for humanity, because we don't have enough Soldiers to fulfill the 'evangelical' task? What's your thoughts?

The big question is, how does the Salvation Army seek to move forward to integrate what we have segregated as Evangelical Ministry and Social Work (Corps & Social, Heart to God & Hand to man, etc)? Is merely employing Salvo Chaplains to fill secular Social Work enough?

No easy answers.

Integrate or Die. Share

Wash away the Pain...

Jesus came to bring life to the fullest. He really did. If you're reading this right now, wondering why things are as they are... wondering where God is, in the midst of all your trials...

Jesus came to set you free. To set you free from oppression, from sin, from darkness, from apathy, from depression, from negativity...

If you're all good, then feel free to move on and read another blog. But right now; if you're in pain... Why don't you pray with me:

Dear God,

You created me to have love, peace and joy. You created me to be in Christ; to be living life to the full. At the moment Lord, I need you to wash away the pain... Will you send the presence of your Holy Spirit right now to fill me and comfort me. Help me to get to the other side of all I'm currently experiencing. I have faith that you will move the obstacles in my life, that stop me from living life to the full. Deliver me from pain, in the Name of JESUS! Thank you Lord, Amen!

God Bless you.

If you need info on depression, then go to www.beyondblue.org

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The False Dichotomy of Mission

Have we understood the message yet?

God wants us to have holistic mission? An integration of both evangelism and social action. Reaching lost souls, and serving humanity! I probably wouldn't do this topic justice, so to read more about integrated mission, check out www.urbanarmy.blogspot.com for some great blogs about this...

For those who can't be bothered clicking on the link, here's a quote:

'Those who would limit Jesus to the saving of souls and those who see him merely as introducing new ethical principles are both wrong. The purpose of God in Christ is neither simply to redeem individuals nor merely to teach the world some new thoughts. Gods purpose in Christ is to establish a new community that points to the plan of God for the world...the living witness of the Christian community is intended both to demonstrate and to anticipate the future of the world that has arrived in the person of Jesus Christ' (Jim Wallis) Share

The gift of Hospitality

The gift of hospitality was shown to me this Easter.

Some of us travelled down to Rosebud, both Good Friday and Easter Sunday to share in church services there. Following both services we were taken to some people's houses for lunch. We were overwhelmed with the hospitality shown by those looking after us. What a blessing, to have Christians that simply love others, that simply care for others and want to simply bless others. Praise God!

We also spent some time at Melbourne Central Division's Easter Camp. What a great time! Lives were being transformed as people connected with the RISEN JESUS CHRIST! Again, Sandra and Mim (DYs) showed us wonderful hospitality and welcome (Thanks heaps guys!!)

So...

This Easter holiday, why not invite someone over for dinner or lunch? Show them some hospitality. I've been in the midst of it lately, and its both a blessing to the giver and the receiver! Share

Stop the Traffik!

It's time to stop the human trafficking. Spread the word, let people know about it. Check out:

http://www.stopthetraffik.org -> One of the main websites rallying against human trafficking.

Also, check out the armybarmy site, which has just recently got some youtube videos happening: http://armybarmyremix.blogspot.com/

stopthetraffik site says: March 25th 2007 will be Freedom Day – not just as a celebration of history, but a moment to be inspired by the champions of history of the past to help us fight for freedom from the bondage of slavery through people trafficking.

ANY IDEAS? What can we do stop the human trafficking? Comment now... Share

Mindless Entertainment

I find myself frustrated recently when watching the news. During 30 minutes of news coverage, the first five minutes is about who died recently in Melbourne, the next 5 is coverage of politics that is really only arguing amongst politicians. The next 10 minutes is about pop stars that are in court, the paparazzi and whose marrying whose famous relative. The next 8 minutes are re-runs of sport from 2 days ago and then two minutes for the weather.

I wonder though... How many Iraqi soldiers were killed today? How many youth have committed suicide recently? Is the future of the Tamil tigers and the Sri Lankan Government improving? Whose providing fresh water to the people of Sudan? Are we doing anything to improve world poverty? Have we built the infrastructure following the devastating Tsunami?

Do we care more about the "Pop Culture" than we do the World issues? Will people see Christ in us, when we think less of ourselves and whose on the cover of Woman's Day, but act on the injustices of this World?

Channel Nine if you're listening... We're sick of mindless entertainment. Let's work together to bring awareness and change to a World that desperately needs something greater than mere gimmicks and the latest pop news. Share

The Happy Feet Environment

Not many think of Antarctica much. Not many would consider the life of a penguin or maybe a polar bear. The movie 'Happy Feet' really taps into the issues that can arise when we don't think of the environment around us. The movie pushes a strong message about fisherman that are taking all the fish, and thus affecting the lives of animals such as penguins.

The news recently reported that polar bears could go extinct soon, due to global warming. There are social issues in our world that are good to be aware of. Personally, I don't understand how I can stop global warming, or change the unjust actions of fisherman, but atleast the World is first starting to become aware of these issues.

I admire the Christians that have been called into making a difference in the arena of social/environmental issues, and pray that God will empower them to create change that will reconcile the World back to Him. Share

Abuse at Christmas Time?

The Salvation Army assist so many people at Christmas time and down in Werribee, Community Support Services have been flat out giving out toys, vouchers, food, etc. Unfortunately there is such a great need, that the place is fully booked and cannot cater for any more people... What happens next makes it tough for volunteer staff, because there are constantly people ringing who need help, but it's impossible to help them (There's not enough time, money and staff). Sometimes this is followed by verbal abuse from the community...

My thanks goes out to the staff of Salvation Army programs that are working tirelessly to assist those in need this Christmas. May the love of Jesus empower you as you work hard this coming week, even through the tough times....

I pray that the Lord will allow the Salvation Army to assist more and more into our communities, so that people are not left stranded and unassisted in following years. But praise God for the huge amount of blessing given to so many this Christmas. Share