Suburban Outpost

Where have we been?

2007-01-18T20:45:00.000-08:00

So if you still check this blog (and I'm surprised if you do) you will have noticed that we haven't posted for four months. Several reasons for this...
we moved
we had computer problems
we had a baby
we had a flood
we're both blogging elsewhere
we haven't been "suburban" for a year and a half so it doesn't suit us anymore :O)

We are well. Our kids are fantastic. God is great.

If you want to check out where we're blogging more regularly you can read Jonathan's stuff at www.thewarcollege.com
I post on Mondays at www.614network.com

Grace

Carla

God is Faithful

2006-09-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

In short, we must trust: Faith, not feelings and Character, not circumstances.

When we do this, we are no longer relying on circumstantial evidence but are learning to circumstantiate—which means to prove that something is true. God’s love is true. His promises are true. The gospel is true. We can stand on these truths with unswerving conviction and not let the incidentals of life lead us astray. “Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me,” Psalm 40:11 NIV).

This is from my rations today. God is so good. He knows just what I need to hear!

He also gave me this song to sing while I walked with my kids this morning:

Father of lights, You delight in Your children
Father of lights, You delight in Your children

Every good and perfect gift comes from You
Every good and perfect gift comes from You
Every good and perfect gift comes from You
Father of lights

Father of lights, You never change, You have no turning
Father of lights, You never change, You have no turning

Our life has felt hectic and sometimes stressful lately but we can trust in God whose character doesn't change and who is completely faithful.

More pictures

2006-09-02T10:25:00.000-07:00

Hey all... okay so I haven't updated like I said I would. Give me a break though... I'm adjusting to life with two children and have had family visiting!!

Jael was dedicated to the Lord on July 13th and now is 2 months old already.

She arrived!

2006-07-03T10:21:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick post to announce the arrival of our beautiful baby girl, Jael Honour Evans. She was born on June 27th at 1:53pm. She weighed in at 7lbs. 4oz. and was 51cm long.
Praise God for new life!

Recent pictures

2006-05-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures that Kirsten recently took of Jedidiah (thanks Kir!).
That's all for now. We're busy in the process of moving...
I will post again soon about fasting.

CNE

Our Little "A-oh"

2006-05-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

I was once told via our comment section that we should post more pics of our son because he looks like an angel... so here are a few - and by the way, he says "a-oh" for the word "angel."
Pray for him - he's going to be a big brother soon! And pray that he would understand and experience who Jesus is at an early age.
Thanks :o)

CNE

Life-Changing Benefits of Fasting:

2006-04-22T19:53:00.001-07:00

In 2 Corinthians Paul writes:

"Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persectutions and calamaties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
(Chapter 10, Verses 9-10)

I don't think many would argue the truth that fasting positions you in a 'weak' frame. Physical weakness ensues as does a noticable change in soul and spirit as time progresses during a fast. Interestingly, it seems to work that first our body responds, then our soul, then our spirit.

We can't avoid the physical sensations that fasting can create - growling stomach, low blood glucose, perhaps a headache etc. Can we avoid the impact fasting has on our soul (mind, will, emotions)? I bet some would argue an emphatic no! They would argue that getting grumpy, irritable or lacking in self-control is inevitable. This is where the battle begins to rage and we should be aiming to grow better at submitting our soul and body to our spirit (that is, if our spirit is indeed in step with the Spirit) instead of making excuses for the way we act throughout the course of a fast.

Paul's point in 2 Corinthians is to highlight the fact that in the times when we feel the weakest, it is then that we can be strong because we are relying on the power of Christ to help us. In order to see the life-changing benefits of a fast we need to be dependent on Him to get us through it. From this scripture, it is notable that a benefit of becoming weak (voluntarily fasting) gives us the opportunity to agree with God about who we are.

Agreeing with God about who you are is definitely life-changing! Whether you come from the camp where everyone is 'puffed up' (prideful) or the camp where everyone is down on themselves (accustomed to believing lies about their worth), submitting to the truth of who you are in Christ will revolutionize your life, your world.

Can I get a witness?!

CNE

Fasting and the far country

2006-04-12T21:49:00.000-07:00

The one thing that really struck me with regard to the question 'what is our purpose in fasting?' was the relation to the prodigal son given. The son's problems didn't stem from where he was (or where he went) but from within himself. That's often the case with us, too.

Janet Munn shared that one purpose in fasting is to 'get the far country out of us after we have left the far country.'

The 'far country' can be typified by indulgence and self-gratification... whether for the body or soul (mind, will and emotions). What we want is to throw this stuff off because it hinders.

Stay tuned for more posts on specific benefits of fasting. And, let me say, I haven't fasted much from food in the past two years or so since I've been either pregnant, nursing, or pregnant again :o) I do plan to incorporate this discipline into my life again once I'm through this phase of life. I have been fasting chocolate this Lent and it has been difficult! God has been gracious though and I've not succumbed to temptation!

CNE

Happy Bloggiversary, Sis!

2006-03-27T09:36:00.000-08:00

So I was doing a regular check-up on my regular blog sites and ran across one of my sister's recent posts. Happy bloggiversary to you, Sherri. It has been a great year of keeping in touch with your thoughts, stories, challenges and humour! You're a good writer and have done well at keeping up with the regular posts.

Over the past week or so it has come up a few times that we, on the other hand, have not done so well recently with updating our blog. Sometimes I feel as though I don't have much to say... or don't know how to say what I want to say... or just don't feel like I have the time to say anything. So, I apologize for being a slacker! I plan to work on this. Let me say though, that the past month or so has been a great time of growth for me and it's not that God isn't doing much in my life - far from it :o)

We just got home last night from a prayer and fasting retreat called 'Fullness.' This was our first weekend away from Jedidiah (big props to Uncle Andy and Auntie Steph for taking great care of him). I thought I'd do a short series on the "benefits of fasting" over the next little while. Please hold me accountable to this!

Blessings, peace and grace to you all in the blogosphere!

Carla

Bono on AIDS & Poverty

2006-02-21T14:49:00.000-08:00

Bono's best sermon yet: Remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast

If you're wondering what I'm doing here, at a prayer breakfast, well, so am I. I'm certainly not here as a man of the cloth, unless that cloth is leather. It's certainly not because I'm a rock star. Which leaves one possible explanation: I'm here because I've got a messianic complex.
Yes, it's true. And for anyone who knows me, it's hardly a revelation.
Well, I'm the first to admit that there's something unnatural...something unseemly...about rock stars mounting the pulpit and preaching at presidents, and then disappearing to their villas in the south of France. Talk about a fish out of water. It was weird enough when Jesse Helms showed up at a U2 concert...but this is really weird, isn't it?
You know, one of the things I love about this country is its separation of church and state. Although I have to say: in inviting me here, both church and state have been separated from something else completely: their mind.
Mr. President, are you sure about this?
It's very humbling and I will try to keep my homily brief. But be warned - I'm Irish.
I'd like to talk about the laws of man, here in this city where those laws are written. And I'd like to talk about higher laws. It would be great to assume that the one serves the other; that the laws of man serve these higher laws...but of course, they don't always. And I presume that, in a sense, is why you're here.
I presume the reason for this gathering is that all of us here - Muslims, Jews, Christians - all are searching our souls for how to better serve our family, our community, our nation, our God.
I know I am. Searching, I mean. And that, I suppose, is what led me here, too.
Yes, it's odd, having a rock star here - but maybe it's odder for me than for you. You see, I avoided religious people most of my life. Maybe it had something to do with having a father who was Protestant and a mother who was Catholic in a country where the line between the two was, quite literally, a battle line. Where the line between church and state was...well, a little blurry, and hard to see.
I remember how my mother would bring us to chapel on Sundays... and my father used to wait outside. One of the things that I picked up from my father and my mother was the sense that religion often gets in the way of God.
For me, at least, it got in the way. Seeing what religious people, in the name of God, did to my native land...and in this country, seeing God's second-hand car salesmen on the cable TV channels, offering indulgences for cash...in fact, all over the world, seeing the self-righteousness roll down like a mighty stream from certain corners of the religious establishment...
I must confess, I changed the channel. I wanted my MTV.
Even though I was a believer.
Perhaps because I was a believer.
I was cynical...not about God, but about God's politics. (There you are, Jim.)
Then, in 1997, a couple of eccentric, septuagenarian British Christians went and ruined my shtick - my reproachfulness. They did it by describing the millennium, the year 2000, as a Jubilee year, as an opportunity to cancel the chronic debts of the world's poorest people. They had the audacity to renew the Lord's call - and were joined by Pope John Paul II, who, from an Irish half-Catholic's point of view, may have had a more direct line to the Almighty.
'Jubilee' - why 'Jubilee'?
What was this year of Jubilee, this year of our Lord's favour?
I'd always read the scriptures, even the obscure stuff. There it was in Leviticus (25:35)...
'If your brother becomes poor,' the scriptures say, 'and cannot maintain himself...you shall maintain him.... You shall not lend him your money at interest, not give him your food for profit.'
It is such an important idea, Jubilee, that Jesus begins his ministry with this. Jesus is a young man, he's met with the rabbis, impressed everyone, people are talking. The elders say, he's a clever guy, this Jesus, but he hasn't done much...yet. He hasn't spoken in public before...
When he does, is first words are from Isaiah: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,' he says, 'because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.' And Jesus proclaims the year of the Lord's favour, the year of Jubilee (Luke 4:18).
What he was really talking about was an era of grace - and we're still in it.
So fast-forward 2,000 years. That same thought, grace, was made incarnate - in a movement of all kinds of people. It wasn't a bless-me club... it wasn't a holy huddle. These religious guys were willing to get out in the streets, get their boots dirty, wave the placards, follow their convictions with actions...making it really hard for people like me to keep their distance. It was amazing. I almost started to like these church people.
But then my cynicism got another helping hand.
It was what Colin Powell, a five-star general, called the greatest W.M.D. of them all: a tiny little virus called AIDS. And the religious community, in large part, missed it. The ones that didn't miss it could only see it as divine retribution for bad behaviour. Even on children...even [though the] fastest growing group of HIV infections were married, faithful women.
Aha, there they go again! I thought to myself judgmentalism is back!
But in truth, I was wrong again. The church was slow but the church got busy on this the leprosy of our age.
Love was on the move.
Mercy was on the move.
God was on the move.
Moving people of all kinds to work with others they had never met, never would have cared to meet...conservative church groups hanging out with spokesmen for the gay community, all singing off the same hymn sheet on AIDS...soccer moms and quarterbacks...hip-hop stars and country stars. This is what happens when God gets on the move: crazy stuff happens!
Popes were seen wearing sunglasses!
Jesse Helms was seen with a ghetto blaster!
Crazy stuff. Evidence of the spirit.
It was breathtaking. Literally. It stopped the world in its tracks.
When churches started demonstrating on debt, governments listened - and acted. When churches starting organising, petitioning, and even - that most unholy of acts today, God forbid, lobbying...on AIDS and global health, governments listened - and acted.
I'm here today in all humility to say: you changed minds; you changed policy; you changed the world.
Look, whatever thoughts you have about God, who He is or if He exists, most will agree that if there is a God, He has a special place for the poor. In fact, the poor are where God lives.
Check Judaism. Check Islam. Check pretty much anyone.
I mean, God may well be with us in our mansions on the hill. I hope so. He may well be with us as in all manner of controversial stuff. Maybe, maybe not. But the one thing we can all agree, all faiths and ideologies, is that God is with the vulnerable and poor.
God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives. God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war. God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them. "If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom with become like midday and the Lord will continually guide you and satisfy your desire in scorched places."
It's not a coincidence that in the scriptures, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100 times. It's not an accident. That's a lot of air time, 2,100 mentions. (You know, the only time Christ is judgmental is on the subject of the poor.) 'As you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me' (Matthew 25:40). As I say, good news to the poor.
Here's some good news for the president. After 9/11 we were told America would have no time for the world's poor. America would be taken up with its own problems of safety. And it's true these are dangerous times, but America has not drawn the blinds and double-locked the doors.
In fact, you have doubled aid to Africa. You have tripled funding for global health. Mr. President, your emergency plan for AIDS relief and support for the Global Fund - you and Congress - have put 700,000 people onto life-saving anti-retroviral drugs and provided 8 million bed nets to protect children from malaria.
Outstanding human achievements. Counterintuitive. Historic. Be very, very proud.
But here's the bad news. From charity to justice, the good news is yet to come. There is much more to do. There's a gigantic chasm between the scale of the emergency and the scale of the response.
And finally, it's not about charity after all, is it? It's about justice.
Let me repeat that: It's not about charity, it's about justice.
And that's too bad.
Because you're good at charity. Americans, like the Irish, are good at it. We like to give, and we give a lot, even those who can't afford it.
But justice is a higher standard. Africa makes a fool of our idea of justice; it makes a farce of our idea of equality. It mocks our pieties, it doubts our concern, it questions our commitment.
Sixty-five hundred Africans are still dying every day of a preventable, treatable disease, for lack of drugs we can buy at any drug store. This is not about charity, this is about justice and equality.
Because there's no way we can look at what's happening in Africa and, if we're honest, conclude that deep down, we really accept that Africans are equal to us. Anywhere else in the world, we wouldn't accept it. Look at what happened in South East Asia with the tsunami. 150,000 lives lost to that misnomer of all misnomers, "mother nature." In Africa, 150,000 lives are lost every month. A tsunami every month. And it's a completely avoidable catastrophe.
It's annoying but justice and equality are mates. Aren't they? Justice always wants to hang out with equality. And equality is a real pain.
You know, think of those Jewish sheep-herders going to meet the Pharaoh, mud on their shoes, and the Pharaoh says, "Equal?" A preposterous idea: rich and poor are equal? And they say, "Yeah, 'equal,' that's what it says here in this book. We're all made in the image of God."
And eventually the Pharaoh says, "OK, I can accept that. I can accept the Jews - but not the blacks."
"Not the women. Not the gays. Not the Irish. No way, man."
So on we go with our journey of equality.
On we go in the pursuit of justice.
We hear that call in the ONE Campaign, a growing movement of more than 2 million Americans...Left and Right together... united in the belief that where you live should no longer determine whether you live.
We hear that call even more powerfully today, as we mourn the loss of Coretta Scott King - mother of a movement for equality, one that changed the world but is only just getting started. These issues are as alive as they ever were; they just change shape and cross the seas.
Preventing the poorest of the poor from selling their products while we sing the virtues of the free market...that's a justice issue. Holding children to ransom for the debts of their grandparents...that's a justice issue. Withholding life-saving medicines out of deference to the Office of Patents...that's a justice issue.
And while the law is what we say it is, God is not silent on the subject.
That's why I say there's the law of the land¿. And then there is a higher standard. There's the law of the land, and we can hire experts to write them so they benefit us, so the laws say it's OK to protect our agriculture but it's not OK for African farmers to do the same, to earn a living?
As the laws of man are written, that's what they say.
God will not accept that.
Mine won't, at least. Will yours?
[ pause]
I close this morning on...very...thin...ice.
This is a dangerous idea I've put on the table: my God vs. your God, their God vs. our God...vs. no God. It is very easy, in these times, to see religion as a force for division rather than unity.
And this is a town - Washington - that knows something of division.
But the reason I am here, and the reason I keep coming back to Washington, is because this is a town that is proving it can come together on behalf of what the scriptures call the least of these.
This is not a Republican idea. It is not a Democratic idea. It is not even, with all due respect, an American idea. Nor it is unique to any one faith.
'Do to others as you would have them do to you' (Luke 6:30). Jesus says that.
'Righteousness is this: that one should...give away wealth out of love for him to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars and for the emancipation of the captives.' The Koran says that (2.177).
Thus sayeth the Lord: 'Bring the homeless poor into the house, when you see the naked, cover him, then your light will break out like the dawn and your recovery will speedily spring fourth, then your Lord will be your rear guard.' The Jewish scripture says that. Isaiah 58 again.
That is a powerful incentive: 'The Lord will watch your back.' Sounds like a good deal to me, right now.
A number of years ago, I met a wise man who changed my life. In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lord's blessing. I was saying, you know, I have a new song, look after it¿. I have a family, please look after them¿. I have this crazy idea...
And this wise man said: stop.
He said, stop asking God to bless what you're doing.
Get involved in what God is doing - because it's already blessed.
Well, God, as I said, is with the poor. That, I believe, is what God is doing.
And that is what he's calling us to do.
I was amazed when I first got to this country and I learned how much some churchgoers tithe. Up to 10% of the family budget. Well, how does that compare with the federal budget, the budget for the entire American family? How much of that goes to the poorest people in the world? Less than 1%.
Mr. President, Congress, people of faith, people of America:
I want to suggest to you today that you see the flow of effective foreign assistance as tithing.... Which, to be truly meaningful, will mean an additional 1% of the federal budget tithed to the poor.
What is 1%?
1% is not merely a number on a balance sheet.
1% is the girl in Africa who gets to go to school, thanks to you. 1% is the AIDS patient who gets her medicine, thanks to you. 1% is the African entrepreneur who can start a small family business thanks to you. 1% is not redecorating presidential palaces or money flowing down a rat hole. This 1% is digging waterholes to provide clean water.
1% is a new partnership with Africa, not paternalism toward Africa, where increased assistance flows toward improved governance and initiatives with proven track records and away from boondoggles and white elephants of every description.
America gives less than 1% now. We're asking for an extra 1% to change the world. to transform millions of lives - but not just that and I say this to the military men now - to transform the way that they see us.
1% is national security, enlightened economic self-interest, and a better, safer world rolled into one. Sounds to me that in this town of deals and compromises, 1% is the best bargain around.
These goals - clean water for all; school for every child; medicine for the afflicted, an end to extreme and senseless poverty - these are not just any goals; they are the Millennium Development goals, which this country supports. And they are more than that. They are the Beatitudes for a globalised world.
Now, I'm very lucky. I don't have to sit on any budget committees. And I certainly don't have to sit where you do, Mr. President. I don't have to make the tough choices.
But I can tell you this:
To give 1% more is right. It's smart. And it's blessed.
There is a continent - Africa - being consumed by flames.
I truly believe that when the history books are written, our age will be remembered for three things: the war on terror, the digital revolution, and what we did - or did not to - to put the fire out in Africa.
History, like God, is watching what we do.
Thank you. Thank you, America, and God bless you all

A seagull scared me today

2006-02-15T15:37:00.000-08:00

Today I was doing a shift in 614 Vancouver's 24-7 prayer room, the War Room.
I was praying facing a wall with requests on it and heard a few taps on the window. I thought at first it was this cord thing that is always hanging outside the window... but when I looked, a big white seagull was on the ledge, pecking as if trying to get inside. First I felt freaked out because I had just a few moments earlier shut the window most of the way because I was getting a bit chilly.
What would I have done if the seagull actually came into the room? Sooooo glad I didn't have to respond to that kind of situation.

But, I jumped at the opportunity once the bird flew away to ask the Lord what He would have me learn from this little situation.
He gave me Hebrews 12:5-13 and shed some light on what He was saying. I still have to look into verse 13 especially... and I think Isaiah 58 too.

Thanks Lord for speaking to us through funny circumstances and seagulls.

CNE

Recapture the Wonder

2006-02-12T11:01:00.000-08:00

I recently started to read "Recapture the Wonder" by Ravi Zacharias. I was touched by soemthing he shared in the first chapter... because I related to it. God has been giving me a renewed sense of His love for the lost, and, in particular, the unloved.

Ravi was writing about an experience he had while he and his wife were out in the city walking. They saw an old, homeless man searching through garbage for something of worth.

"Whenever we see such a person whose whole being reveals the mark of such impoverishment my wife remarks, "To think that he was once a baby, held in the arms of his mother while she dreamed great dreams for him."

If only we all had eyes to see individuals as the Lord does. Sometimes I can't believe it when I hear or see followers of Christ who have such disdain for the smelly, dirty and hungry. I'm not claiming to perfectly love those who are outcast and dejected by society, but I do see their worth. I see this as a challenge for me to always take a stand for the worth of the unlovely in the sense of acknowledging who they truly are (God's creation), not only verbally, but through action.

CNE

2006-02-01T22:09:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted here in a while. I found a quote from Tozer to share with all of you. Here it is:

I suppose my suggestion will not receive much serious attention, but
I should like to suggest that we Bible-believing Christians announce
a moratorium on religious activity and set our house in order
preparatory to the coming of an afflatus from above. So carnal is the
body of Christians which composes the conservative wing of the
Church, so shockingly irreverent are our public services in some
quarters, so degraded are our religious tastes in still others, that
the need for power could scarcely have been greater at any time in
history. I believe we should profit immensely were we to declare a
period of silence and self-examination during which each one of us
searched his own heart and sought to meet every condition for a real
baptism of power from on high. The Pursuit of Man, 94.

Could the church just stop for a period of silence to get our priorities in order? How about stop all services in order to pray and fast?

Overflowing garbage

2006-01-30T20:32:00.000-08:00

Today my friend Tara (thanks for babysitting!) was over and I commented to her about our garbage. Sometimes I just don't feel like changing it and before we know it, it's all heaped up and stuff is practically falling out. When we do eventually get to changing it, it's a much more difficult job than it would have been if we had done it sooner.

I said "Hey, it's a life lesson." and Tara said "You could blog that."
Hence, this post. I'm sure you get the drift here.

Letting things slide makes a more difficult ride.
That rhymes and I just made it up.

CNE

Ch. 9 - The Immutability of God

2006-01-27T21:12:00.000-08:00

The what of God? That's what I thought when I read the title of this chapter. I don't think I had ever heard the word 'immuitability' before. Thankfully, early in the chapter, it was explained:

"To say that God is immutable is to say that He never differs from Himself."

I liked how Tozer spoke of God not being able to change for the better nor for the worse.

"Since He is perfectly holy, He has never been less holy than He is now and can never be holier than He is and always has been."

I don't have much to say about this attribute of God. I believe He can't, nor will He ever change. Although, I did consider that He could possibly get better. Then I had to correct myself because believing that means believing He isn't right now all He can be. I guess what changes for the better is our experience of and the amount of revelation we receive from Him.

Tozer always ends with a poem of some sort so I'll do the same:

Fountain of being! Source of Good!
Immutable thou dost remain!
Nor can the shadow of a change
Obscure the glories of Thy reign.

Earth may with all her powers dissolve,
If such the great Creator will;
But Thou for ever art the same,
I AM is Thy memorial still.
(From Walker's Collection)

Ch. 8 - God's Infinitude

2006-01-24T09:38:00.000-08:00

As our discipleship group we got caught on this part of the chapter for a few minutes:

"We have only to prepare Him a habitation of love and faith and humility. We have but to want Him badly enough, and He will come and manifest Himself to us."

The discussion was mostly on the second line there about God's manifestations to us being matched with the desire we show Him. I don't think we really came to any strong conclusion but we definitely struggled a bit in coming to terms with what we believe... or know. When does God just show up because He wants to and when does He show up in response to seeing our strong desire to see Him? Is there a balance between the two? That's definitely something I'm still thinking about.

God is limitless, measureless and infinite. He, in fact, is the only 'thing' (person) that can be called limitless because all created things have limits. We have limits, which is very apparent if you look around, but "How completely satisfying to turn from our limitations to a God who has none." Woohoo.

CNE

Ch. 7 - The Eternity of God

2006-01-20T10:47:00.000-08:00

I've found myself behind (again) in my posts on Tozer's "The Knowledge of the Holy..."

God is not affected by the succession of consecutive changes we call time. Very cool that I've come back to this chapter this morning because last night at knee drill (prayer meeting) I kept getting "You are unchanging" as what I needed to declare to the Lord.

Tozer talks about Moses in this chapter and his experience of God being eternal. One of the practical meanings that Moses came up with (with God's help of course) and that Tozer recognized is that "since God is eternal, He can be and continue forever to be the one safe home for His time-driven children." Praise God for that! He is our shelter and peace when we are caught up in our own time.

Now the next few lines that I'm about to share are what really struck me in this chapter:

"All within us cries for life and permanence, and everything around us reminds us of mortality and change. Yet that God has made us of the stuff of eternity is both a glory yet to be realized and a prophecy yet to be fulfilled."

I don't like change. I love permanence. How boring is that?
Over the years I've grown to accept (with time!) that change is inevitable if I am to grow into who Christ wants me to be and to accomplish what He wants me to do. When my perspective is shifted to eternity it makes my heart and mindset shift with a lot less pain and a great deal of purpose.

Lord give us eyes that are set on ETERNITY. Reveal to us as individuals and as a corporate body the glory yet to be realized and the prophecies yet to be fulfilled in our 'time.'

Amen

CNE

1st post of 2006!

2006-01-15T09:50:00.000-08:00

Jonathan and I have both been quite neglectful when it has come to our blog. For that, we apologize. We moved in December and were getting settled. Then, we went to Ontario over Christmas time and were getting resettled again once we got back. We hope to be more consistent in posting...

Our son Jedidiah turned 1 on January 3rd. We are so blessed to have him in our family and thank God for him each day. It's so exciting to watch all of his new developments and skills. Lately we've been enjoying dancing with him. He seems to really love to dance and for that we are so thankful. We pray that he will use dance to worship the Lord in the future. His dad has taught him to raise his hands when we say "Praise the Lord" or "Hallelujah." As cute as this is, we sincerely pray that he will come to an understanding of and belief in God's worthiness to be praised.

Pray for our son. Pray for the kids in your life. They're worth investing in. God has great plans for them.

CNE

Pyramid Scheme

2005-12-23T14:58:00.000-08:00

I'm trying out my first Pyramid scheme. Wanna help me get a free ipod?

Okay this is to get a free ipod in a pyramid scheme. I know I know.. You hate this kind of thing. Me too. But I checked it out and you can easily get out and it costs only $1. I'll buy you coffee if you sign up under me, easily making up for it. The sooner you get it done, the more likely you can get people to sign in under you and get your ipod. They rely on people not cancelling to charge you $17.95 a month for this shopping service. When I called to cancel they asked me if I wanted the year membership for $17.95 {to make me not cancel}. I didn't accept and then cancelled [$0}.

Here is how it works:

1. Go to http://ipods.freepay.com/?r=26245169 to sign up. [use this link so I can get credit and get 5 people]
2. Sign up for one of the offers. I did the Galleria CANADIAN TIRE one. It only cost $1 and I got a $25 Canadian Tire Card and a $25.
3. When you get your card in the mail, call and cancel. That way it only cost you $1. They rely on you not cancelling to make a profit.

Here is their information proving you can cancel. (I had no problems)

WEBSITE:
After your 30-day FREE trial period, it's just $17.95 per month, automatically charged to the credit card you register today. Remember, you can call us toll-free at 1-888-522-9808 within the first 30 days to cancel, and you will not be charged the monthly fee. To ensure continuous service, you will automatically be charged each month at our then-current fee, unless you call to cancel.

If for any reason you are dissatisfied, call our toll-free number to cancel, and you'll no longer be charged.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
Payment of the Membership Fee for the initial term will be charged after the end of the first 30 days of the term, unless during such 30 days You terminate your Membership as provided in paragraph 9. If You terminate your Membership within such 30 day period, You will not be charged a Membership Fee.

paragraph. 9. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP. YOU MAY TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT AND YOUR MEMBERSHIP AT ANY TIME BY CALLING US AT THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER LISTED ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD OR THE PROGRAM WEBSITE OR BY NOTIFYING US IN WRITING AT MEMBER SAVINGS, P.O. BOX 100, STN B, MONTREAL, QC, H3B 3J5. YOUR CANCELLATION WILL BE EFFECTIVE PROMPTLY UPON OUR RECEIPT OF YOUR CANCELLATION REQUEST, UNLESS YOU HAVE A MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN IN WHICH CASE TERMINATION WILL ONLY BE EFFECTIVE ON THE DAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE END OF THE MONTH IN WHICH YOU GIVE YOUR NOTICE OF TERMINATION. UPON CANCELLATION, DEPENDING UPON THE TERMS YOU AGREED TO

Use my reference (http://ipods.freepay.com/?r=26245169) so I can get an ipod. I need 5 people to do this:

News.... AGAIN!

2005-12-14T21:33:00.000-08:00

Hey

A few weeks back I put up a post and deleted it the next morning. The post was the announcement that Jonathan and I are expecting our second child in July 2006 (the 8th to be specific).

After posting I realized that there were a few people who didn't know yet... and I wanted to tell them in person. So, I removed the post so that I had that chance and so that they wouldn't discover the news on the Internet (how impersonal!).

We're definitely excited by the blessing. We're so glad that Jedidiah will have a sibling. What a blessing for him too! Please pray that he adjusts well to being a big brother. And please pray for the health of our family addition.

Blessings all.

CNE

Ch. 6 - The Self-Sufficiency of God

2005-11-25T10:16:00.000-08:00

This chapter is about God being self-sufficient; the word necessary being wholly foreign to Him. He doesn't need anyone or anything and didn't bring us or the world into existence in order to meet unfulfilled needs.

Tozer points out that the clear teaching of the Word is that God exists for Himself and we exist for the glory of God.

He also says: "I fear that thousands of younger persons enter Christian service from no higher motive than to help deliver God from the embarrassing situation His love has gotten Him into and His limited abilities seem unable to get Him out of. And to this a certain degree of commendable realism and a fair amount of compassion for the underprivileged and you have the true drive behind much Christian activity today."

That makes me really examine why I think I desire to serve God. Do I do it because I think He needs me?

My role is not to help God because He needs me but to join in His work in order to bring glory to Him.

In closing, I leave you with this line I loved:
"He needs no one but when faith is present He works through anyone."

Hallelujah!

CNE

Catching up with Tozer

2005-11-24T20:05:00.000-08:00

I've been away for just over a week and got behind on posting my thoughts and hilights from "The Knowledge of the Holy" so here I go.

Ch. 5 The Self-Existence of God

Hmmm... Where did God come from? Have you ever heard a kid ask that question? The question in itself implies that God was created, which is untrue. We naturally ask this question because we live in a world where we learn about cause, source and origin. So this is another aspect of God that we have trouble understanding because we can't fit our minds around His self-existence.

I'll share one quotation from this chapter that struck me:
"It is not a cheerful thought that millions of us who live in a land of Bibles, who belong to churches and labor to promote this Christian religion, may yet pass our whole life on this earth without once having thought or tried to think seriously about the being of God."

Sadly true. But since we can't understand God's self-existence we probably dismiss it as something that isn't relevant to life and being. "What possible meaning can the self-existence of God have for me and others like me in a world such as this and in times such as these?" Good question Tozer!!
Any ideas?

CNE

Adventures in Apt #102

2005-11-18T16:43:00.000-08:00

Darryl was sitting alone in his bachelor apartment listeneing to the Dixie Chicks with his shirt off. Darryl loved the feeling of the cool air blown by the fan he bought for two dollars at a yard sale.
knock knock knock! Someone was at Darryls door.
Slowly Darryl looked through the peep hole to see who it was. A curved, skinny figure of Darrly's neighbour was standing at the door. Darryl opened it slowly.
"Can you turn down your music please? I've got to work in the morning and all I can hear is the baseline of your country music."
"Oh, uh, umm, I'm sorry" replied Darryl, "I didn't know it was that loud. I'll turn it down."
"Thanks" replied the neighbour, "I'd appreciate it."
Darryl shut his door, went over to the stereo and turned down the music. He decided to watch a movie instead of listening to his beloved country darlings. He picked out the movie Mortal Combat. He put the vhs on and turned up the volume. He loved the techno music that went along with the fighting scenes. Darryl spent many days in high school playing the video game at home and in the arcade. He had all the high scores, "DAR DAR DAR DAR DAR" read the mortal combat game. People would line up to have a shot against him.
As Scorpion was fighting Liu Kang, Darryl rolled out his futon and preteneded he was the one fighting the evil Scorpion. He would make the sound that Liu Kang would make, he kind of sounded like a turkey being strangled.
In the middle of the fighting scene Darryl heard another Knock knock knock! at his door.
Darryl went and looked out his peep hole to see his neighbour again looking very upset. He didn't want to answer the door so he went over to his tv and turned down the volume all the way. After he did this, he went back to the door and looked out the peep hole again. His neighbour was still standing there looking ticked off. Darryl stayed and looked out the peep hole as if he was in a staring contest.
"I know you are looking out the peep hole Darryl."
"uh.. okay... yeaaah..uh... sorry."

2005-11-16T16:34:00.000-08:00

Darryl Esquire sifted through the jelly cookies at the local Army & Navy Store. He thought he'd get the few packages he'd buy gift wrapped if possible. He really had noone in mind that he would give them to but gift wrapping them would be fun. "It's always nice to get something for free. Besides it'll give the allusion that I'm generous with friends." When Darryl got home the wrapping paper would be kept and used for some of his craft projects. Craft projects to darryl were writing variations of his name on fancy papers. He really liked Dare. It was edgy; a trait that was definitely not Darryl Esquire. But for those moments scrawling with a sharpie on textured wallpaper, this is who Dare was.

"Who is this for?" asked the early aged mouth-wrinkled, fifty something cashier.

She was taking a lot of care into wrapping the 4 packages of cookies. It was something Mag took great pride in. That and she was a really bitter employee and knew the more time she spent wrapping, the less productive A & N would be. [It's sorta ironic because she was holding a grudge against her manager and actually appreciated the ladies shoes section]. During the silence Darryl thought through all his mannerisms making sure he wasn't letting her in on his paper scheme. He might blow his cover for next years Christmas rush. "They'll probably put a picture up in the staff room and have a note or memo that says do not gift wrap for this man if you see him." He thought.

After the awkward pause that Darryl's slow thought process created, he jumped in, "My support worker!"

"What?" asked the lady.

"Uh... My old support worker. We keep in touch. Yeah, I talk to her all the time. Uhhhh... She really likes cookies when she comes over to help me with Suduko puzzles." Darryl was uncomfortable. This explains why he ran out of the store after he saw authorised on the Interac machine. Forgetting the gift wrapped cookies.

"Come on Dare!!!" Dare shouted as he caught his breath half a block away. Clenched fists

"What'd you say? A big burly security guard wheezily asked Darryl after sprinting 40m in a personal best 16 secs.

"I didn't... I uhh... I ... I..."

"That's right, watch your mouth!" The 268 lb security guard wheezed. He liked the power he had when he donned his "A&N Security" jacket. "Now get against that wall!"

Two more security guards joined Kelly, the veteran guard, a future hall of famer who has always done it his way. "Good nab Kelly! Let's get him back to the office."

"I... uh." Dare had been in a situation like this before. He pulled out his cue card which read:

[officer, if I am under arrest or being detained, please tell me so. If I am free to go, please tell me so. If I am not free to go, please tell me why. I wish to exercise all my legal rights including my right to silence and my right to speak to a lawyer before I say anything to you. I do not consent to be searched. I wish to be released without delay. Please do not ask me questions, because I will not willingly talk to you until I speak to a lawyer. THANK YOU FOR RESPECTING MY RIGHTS.]

"Shoot!" Kell yelled. He knew this one would get away. Punching the wall didn't help but even though it hurt and scraped a few layers of skin off his second and third knuckles, it made him look tough.

Mary strolled out, "Your cookies!"

I have heard the calls

2005-11-12T23:37:00.000-08:00

I have come out of the woodwork to post. Thanks for the encouragement. This season is a time where I feel my outlet is with my War College students. Thus, I have been scarce here and I'm glad Ken and Carla have held the fort. I'll tell you what I'm processing personally:

Leadership: How to be respectful and make tough decisions. How to balance the individual and community. How to correct and deal with the consequences. How to have a burden for my students.

Recreation: I'm finding that ALL my time is God time. That is, I do not separate the secular from the spiritual. I was confronted with this when I was sitting on the bus on my way to fifteen for a tan (free: thanks Stephanie). I was reading and felt I had to make the most of my time... So I was reading my course text, thinking and preparing for class. God hooked me up with Athena, a young musician trying to write a hit. I was glad to share with her what I was reading about how God is the author of creativity and we are invited to join him. But.... I was wondering, "Why am I going to 4th Ave when I could be spending some more time on the streets?" Then I turned the page and read about how God is the author of REcreation. The exercise was to imagine God shining His light on us, exposing those dark things. I felt that this tanning session could be redeemed from hedonism to spiritual reflection. I'm learning more that God can bring deep meaning to other activities like feeding my son cereal in the morning, riding the SkyTrain or taking out the trash at the Command Centre.

Warfare

2005-11-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

I am tired of the status quo! I am tired of the routine of just doing church. The term status quo is a Latin term meaning the present current, existing state of affairs. To maintain the status quo is to keep things the way they presently are. The concept of status quo comes from the diplomatic term status quo ante bellum, meaning "as it was before war," referring to the withdrawl of enemy troops and restoration of power to prewar leadership.
Arguing to preserve the status quo is usually done in the context of opposing a large, often radical change. The term frequently refers to the status of a large issue, such as the current culture or social climate of an entire society or nation.
Politicians sometimes refer to a status quo. Sometimes there is a policy of deliberate ambiguity, referring to the status quo rather than formalizing the status. An example of political ambiguity is the political status of Taiwan. Clark Kerr is reported to have said, "The status quo is the only solution that cannot be vetoed," meaning that the status quo cannot simply be decided against; action must be taken if it is to change.
Laurence J. Peter is reported to have said, "Bureaucracy defends the status quo long past the time when the quo has lost its status."
Peter Senge (1999) "...collaboration is vital to sustain what we call profound or really deep change, because without it, organizations are just overwhelmed by the forces of the status quo."

Action must be taken if change is to take place. What do we do? 614 seems to be the movement which is drawing us to action. The bureaucrats call us rebels and the soldiers call us revolutionaries. There is a fine line between traitors and heroes in a revolutionary war. If the rebels are victorious then they are heroes; if they are not then they are executed as traitors. Although we want unity and not enemies, can we make a difference without offending the ones who hold on to the status quo like a security blanket? I don’t think so!

We have to ask the question? What would Jesus Do? Would he march to the beat of the drum? I believe the answer is no. Jesus would challenge the status quo. From the gospel accounts we know this to be true. Jesus was controversial then and He still is today. When followers of Jesus Christ abandon all they become like Jesus—controversial.

We must become irregulars or militia (civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army). Guerrilla warfare will be our means. How do we do this?

“In order to obtain the maximum results from the psychological operations in guerrilla warfare, every combatant should be as highly motivated to carry out propaganda face to face as he is a combatant. This means that the individual political awareness of the guerrilla of the reason for his struggle will be as acute as his ability to fight.

Such a political awareness and motivation is obtained through the dynamic of groups and self-criticism, as a standard method of instruction for the guerrilla training and operations. Group discussions raise the spirit and improve the unity of thought of the guerrilla training and operations. Group discussions raise he spirit and improve the unity of thought of the guerrilla squads and exercise social pressure on the weak members to carry out a better role in future training or in combative action. Self-criticism is in terms of one's contribution or defects in his contribution to the cause, to the movement, the struggle, etc.; and gives a positive individual commitment to the mission of the group.”
--quote from http://www.kimsoft.com/guerr-01.htm

So what do the Christian guerillas look like? They are irregulars not professionals. Don’t get me wrong professionals have their place; but we can’t wait until they get their act together before we do something. We can’t leave it all to the status quo security blanket group.

Preaching the good news of the kingdom is preaching from the apocalyptic texts of scripture. The message itself is liberating to those who receive it by faith. The issue at stake is the integrity of the preacher and the relevance of his message. We must not be ashamed of the apocalyptic scriptures we must warn of the coming judgments. We must use the tools of our warfare against the enemy of our souls aka Satan, Beelzebul, the Devil, the Lawless One, Abaddon, Apollyon, the Beast, the False Prophet, the ancient serpent, the Dragon, and the deceiver of the whole world.

Since our battle is not against flesh and blood, the weapon is the word of God or the sword of the spirit.

Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.}
Eph 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Eph 6:14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
Eph 6:15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
Eph 6:16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil {one.}
Eph 6:17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Eph 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Our weapon is also our propaganda! We must proclaim the word and also use every available means to do so. Propaganda, like tracts and websites, can be used--and of course BLOGS! Cell groups raise the spirit and improve unity of thought. Cell groups should be considered the most important meeting of the week even if we have larger gatherings. So often in our culture just the opposite is true. The larger meetings are prioritized over the small cell meetings. We call it going to church. Is this what Jesus died and rose again for?

Social action combined with the love of souls. The local church should promote both acts of mercy and acts of piety. This is guerrilla warfare. The proclamation of the gospel cannot be done without speaking of liberation from bondage. The modern prophet speaks out against injustice and proclaims the second advent which is the Lord’s return. The Lord’s return is what will finally restore power to its rightful place. This will be the end of the war. Right now we are facing a revolution in the church. A great majority of the church resembles the whore of Babylon. A beautiful woman living the good life bathing in the pool of materialism and leaving millions of dying souls in her wake. The goal of this revolution is to restore proper church government. The church should never be run like a business! The church should run on faith in God and let Him provide. The time of the Christian Guerilla is now. Just like in Luther’s time we have to rethink the way we do church. We must become like Jesus. We must become guerillas who are so sold out to the cause of the revolution they are willing to become martyrs.

Blessed Trinity

2005-11-05T16:37:00.000-08:00

Chapter 4 of "The Knowledge of the Holy" is about the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Tozer keeps coming back to the tenet that we must often leave 'reason' outside. We must think rightly about God, however, we can not fully comprehend Him or his attributes. And from this chapter:

"Our sincerest efforts to grasp the incomprehensible mystery of the Trinity must remain forever futile..."

Does this bother you? It really doesn't bother me. I don't mind accepting things I don't fully understand, at least at this point in my life. Tozer pointed out that the fact that the Trinity can not be understood works for it, not against it; no one could have ever imagined it; it HAD to be revealed.

The part I loved the most about this chapter was what Tozer put forth as, what I see, a real motivation for faith in a Triune God. He explains that not all Christians at all times have accepted this doctrine but for those who have... there is and has been much to be gained:

"Purity and power have followed this faith. Under this banner have gone forth apostles, fathers, martyrs, mystics, hymnists, reformers, revivalists, and the seal of divine approval has rested on their lives and their labors. However they may have differed on minor matters, the doctrine of the Trinity bound them together."

Praise God! I may not understand Him, but I love how faith in Him (Them?) will flourish.

Peace

CNE

P.S. If you want to see Jonathan blog again some day soon, please comment! ;o)

Clarification

2005-11-01T19:04:00.000-08:00

Hey all.

This is just to clarify something.
We have a few contributors to our blog.
Jonathan and I post under "suburban outpost." I usually sign off with my name so that you know it's me.
Our comrade Ken, in Maple Ridge, also posts under the name "King's Soldier."

Perhaps this will help you keep track of who is saying what!

Carla

Chapter 2 - God Incomprehensible

2005-10-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

I thought it was funny that the first chapter of "The Knowledge of the Holy" was about why we should think rightly about God and now the second chapter is about 'God Incomprehensible.' So, we must think properly about God but when it comes down to it we can't truly comprehend Him.

Anyhow, in chapter 2, Tozer explains how we can never truly explain God because we don't have the language to do so. He uses the example of Ezekiel who, when seeing heaven opened, could only use comparisons with words such as "likeness," "appearance," "as it were," and "the likeness of the appearance."

Check out this quotation for further explanation:

"When we try to imagine what God is like we must of necessity use that-which-is-not-God as the raw material for our minds to work on; hence whatever we visualize God to be, He is not, for we have constructed our image out of that which He has made and what He has made is not God. If we insist upon trying to imagine Him, we end with an idol, made not with hands but with thoughts; and an idol of the mind is as offensive to God as an idol of the hand."

So then we wonder "How can I truly know God if he's incomprehensible?" The simple Biblical answer is through Jesus Christ through whom God effects full self-disclosure.

What I take from this chapter is that I can not fully comprehend God because He is God in heaven and I am here on earth. There is no answer to "What is God like in Himself?" but there is an answer to "What has God disclosed about Himself that we can comprehend?"

"For while the name of God is secret and His essential nature incomprehensible, He in condescending love has by revelation declared certain things to be true of Himself. These we call His attributes."

Talk of revelation reminds me of 'things only God can do' from Blackaby's "Expereiencing God." ONLY God can reveal Himself to us. ONLY God can give us spiritual revelation.

And so, God give us more!

CNE

Tozer Quote

2005-10-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept 
the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of 
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me 
on that Day....  
--2 Timothy 4:7-8

After more than thirty years of observing the religious scene I
have been forced to conclude that saintliness and church leadership
are not often synonymous....

Were the church a pure and Spirit-filled body, wholly led and
directed by spiritual considerations, certainly the purest and the
saintliest men and women would be the ones most appreciated and most
honored; but the opposite is true. Godliness is no longer valued,
except for the very old or the very dead. The saintly souls are
forgotten in the whirl of religious activity. The noisy, the self-
assertive, the entertaining are sought after and rewarded in every
way, with gifts, crowds, offerings and publicity. The Christlike,
the self-forgetting, the other-worldly are jostled aside to make
room for the latest converted playboy who is usually not too well
converted and still very much of a playboy....

The wise Christian will be content to wait for that day. In the
meantime, he will serve his generation in the will of God. If he
should be overlooked in the religious popularity contests he will
give it but small attention. He knows whom he is trying to please
and he is willing to let the world think what it will of him. He
will not be around much longer anyway, and where he is going men
will be known not by their Hooper rating but by the holiness of
their character.  Man: The Dwelling Place of God, 97-99.

"What a sad statement, Lord, that 'saintliness and church
leadership are not often synonymous.' Again we're forced to
recognize that if we serve You as You want, we may have to wait
for recognition. Help me today to focus on 'holiness of...
character' whether I'm valued by people or not. Amen."

2005-10-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

Here is an article I read yesterday on God Blogging on the CNN website. I thought I should pass it on to my fellow Christian bloggers. <><

G od Blogging

Powerful Prayers

2005-10-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

The prayers of the saints are powerful when done as a group. We had a great prayer session at the 614 Command center tonight. Great fellowship. This is the fellowship of the Nazarene. Hell shakes and quivers at such a gathering.

"I believe in the communion of saints."-Apostles' Creed

Why We Must Think Rightly About God

2005-10-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

I'm part of a discipleship group and we've started reading through A. W. Tozer's "The Knowledge of the Holy." So far it has proven to be a treasure box... and we've only read the preface and chapter one (which is only four pages long). I've decided to post a blog on each chapter so that I can solidify my learning. I hope those reading will also benefit from what is posted.

The first chapter is about why we must have a proper view of God. Our heart's conception of God is the most revealing fact about us, as individuals, and as a body. I really like where Tozer writes "Compared with our actual thoughts about Him, our creedal statments are of little consequence." So basically he's saying, like the great Michael Collins, "Talk is cheap." We can say we believe something but it only counts if we live it out.

Do you know what you really believe about God? And I don't mean to ask if you've really studied your doctrines and know and believe what they state. I'm asking if you've studied your heart's conception of God. Have you examined the way you live? How you live reflects your true beliefs of God. I'm praying this week that Holy Spirit would reveal to me the erroneous thoughts that I have of God. Tozer suggests that "Only after an ordeal of painful self-probing are we likely to discover what we actually believe about God." Ouch.

I'm attending the Army's territorial symposium next month. It just hit me now that this is an enormous opportunity for soldiers across the territory to do this probing on behalf of our corps and centres. We will be effective as an Army if we have a right conception of God and then let our actions follow suit. As Tozer asserted: "A right conception of God is basic not only to systematic theology but ot practical Christian living as well."

And so I'll conclude with the prayer that I paraphrased from the chapter...

Almighty God, not the god of the deep thinkers and new agers, but the God of the true prophets and apostles; and even better, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Can we (the Army) express you without blame?

Those who truly know You, YHWH, can't call upon You as anything other than You are or worship some other idol. Enlighten our minds so that we can know You in fullness and truth and love and worship you perfectly.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

CNE

Gossip

2005-10-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

I intended to post this while it was fresh in my mind... but with the move etc. I didn't get around to it.

I was leafing through a magazine (perhaps Chatelaine?) a while ago and a short article about gossip got me interested.

In the article a psychologist stated how gossip is actually good for you. You being the gossiper.
She claimed that only 10% (or some number close to that) of gossip is the malicious type. She stated that the rest is a healthy sort of gossip that actually helps us learn social norms and morals. I started to think... hmm.. maybe she has a point....
Perhaps gossip is only wrong when you're dissin' someone behind their back?

Now I'm pretty sure that the word 'gossip' connotes something that is detrimental and, according to the Word, is rooted in sin. Check out Romans 1:29 and 2 Corinthians 12:20. Gossip and slander are listed separately. There goes that theory I was thining about.

If you look in Proverbs there is a plethora (don't you love that word?) of words about WORDS. The importance of words, the wrong way to speak, the right way to speak, and the dangers of words are all covered.

If you're not sure of the line between 'just conversation' and gossip.... well... check with the Word. He'll always give you the truth.

CNE

As they went

2005-10-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday there was some great preaching at Cariboo Hill Temple. Michael Collins brought it, as usual. His text was the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus but only one (Samaritan) came to thank him. One thing sticks out in the Scripture: "As they went they were healed." Jesus had sent them to the priest but not seeing any evidence, they had to pick up their faith and go present them to the priests. The social and emotional and perhaps physical risks were high as priests couldn't be near lepers or Samaritans.

I had my own as they went experience during the service. Having heard a good sermon about thankfulness I was prompted by The Holy Spirit to show my thankfulness at the mercy seat. I felt very little emotional thankfulness. I really didn't feel like going up there. God reminded me of an article I had read on Saturday about the response to sermons in Brazzaville Congo where 75 to 95% of attendees go forward. I got off my butt and responded in thankfulness. As I went, I was overcome by The Holy Spirit and emotion. Phil, a great convert and accelerated saint came and prayed with me to enliven the experience. Then I saw others respond and prayers shouted by the congregation. Carla expressed her thankfulness by standing during the response even though she didn't feel like it either. She too, in her act of obedience to the Spirit received a full experience of thankfulness.

I was blessed and I would have missed out on it if I had followed my heart (Jer 17:19)

Baptism, A rite of passage

2005-09-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

This thought from Henri Nouwen, I thought worth blogging after having blogged about sacraments. I like this:

Baptism is a rite of passage. The Jewish people passed through the Red Sea to the Promised Land in the great exodus. Jesus himself wanted to make this exodus by passing through suffering and death into the house of his heavenly Father. This was his baptism. He asked his disciples and now asks us us: "Can you ... be baptised with the baptism with which I shall be baptised?" (Mark 10:38). When the apostle Paul, therefore, speaks about our baptism, he calls it a baptism into Jesus' death (Romans 6:4).

To be baptised means to make the passage with the people of Israel and with Jesus from slavery to freedom and from death to new life. It is a commitment to a life in and through Jesus.

I agree and hope this may be beneficial to you, the reader.

Pray for my brother

2005-09-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

Please pray for my brother's modelling career. He's having a hard time getting shoots and stuff. Here is a picture that maybe you can download and distribute to any ad agencies you might know.

I Wear Red Shield Underwear

2005-09-16T13:01:00.000-07:00

Well, if they existed, I would anyway.
Just following orders from Jonny M.

CNE

From Armybarmy on Music

2005-09-14T15:58:00.000-07:00

This is from my friend Stephen's blog: I had to double post because it is relevant to what happened to me today. I went to take some music to a used CD place and they gave me a whopping 2 bucks for over 1 CD. I gave them the rest.... They said they just can't sell that old stuff:

We were at Territorial a couple of weeks ago and it kicked. Two hits of the week were BLESS OUR ARMY (on SOUNDS OF THE REVOLUTION, available at our armybarmy eStore) and Starfield's REVOLUTION (we changed a couple of words so that it goes 'I want fire, I want blood, I want revolution...). And I received an email this morning on that latter song...

"My daughters and I came to the Saturday program... and were completely turned on to to the music of the last five minutes! Since then we have heard "REVOLUTION" blaring out of bedroom windows, computers, mp3 players you name it it's rocking! Music has always been a huge part of their lives . . . but I could never understand why they couldn't quite get into christian contemporary music. . . . It wasn't until Saturday evening that I saw the light. . . . my contemporary music, I now realize, is not contemporary . . . it's vintage! I am officially an old foggie. . . I now know why shout to the Lord wasn't cutting the mustard, why they were never too enthusiastic when I put on my "As the Deer". I have discovered that they like a certain sound and my efforts to expose them to what I thought was contemporary music, I must admit, was missing the mark."

:- ) IT was a pretty loud song (complete with moshing and crowd surfing...)
Hallelujah
grace
stephenc

Swatting at the Enemy

2005-09-13T08:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, as I watched my son play on the grass at his grandparents' house, he was stung by a wasp.
Initially I didn't know why he suddenly started to cry. After picking him up I saw the culprit on his finger.
Once I saw that he had been stung by the wasp I felt a rage within me stirring. I was so ticked at that wasp for hurting my son. I swatted it away and ran inside with Jedidiah in my arms.

I desire to be so ticked at Satan when I see how he stings those around me. My rage should be so intense that I do all that I can to swat back at him and run to bring his victims in to safety.

Lord, give me a holy rage that burns deep within, like the rage a mother feels when her child is attacked.

This reminds me of 1 Corinthians 15. The enemy may be able to sting and lure us into sin, but he, nor sin, has the victory.

"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

And it goes on to give the encouragement:
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

AMEN

CNE

Am I Authentic?

2005-09-09T13:23:00.000-07:00

I was just checking out some other blogs and something struck me. We have a link to Joel's "Warrior Log" on the right... he has a recent post in which he briedfly mentions how some people think he's a really serious guy but those closest to him know he's a goofball.

It got me thinking about myself. I've thought about this on numerous occasions but have never really come to a firm conclusion about myself. My husband likes to tell me sometimes that I am robbing others of seeing the "true Carla" because I can be guarded, serious, or reserved at times. In reality, I'm a goofball too. Perhaps not to the same degree as others I know, however, I'm putting forth the reality that I'm a pretty silly gal and if you get me late at night (which would be difficult to do now since I hit the sac quite early these days) or on a Sunday afternoon (ask my sis about that one) that side of me will shine through.

A few times in the past I've said or done things that make those who think they "know" me do a double take and say something like "Carla said WHAT?!" Sometimes I avoid doing or saying what I want because I avoid exactly that type of reaction from people.

Any psychologists out there who would like to analyse me? Is there a term or category to describe this part of my life?

I am still confident to say I'm an authentic person.
WYSIWYG - most of the time.

Any comments?

Tozer Quote

2005-08-30T13:52:00.000-07:00

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been
of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that
they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. 
--1 John 2:19

In our eagerness to make converts I am afraid we have lately been
guilty of using the technique of modern salesmanship, which is of
course to present only the desirable qualities in a product and
ignore the rest. We go to men and offer them a cozy home on the
sunny side of the brae. If they will but accept Christ He will give
them peace of mind, solve their problems, prosper their business,
protect their families and keep them happy all day long. They believe
us and come, and the first cold wind sends them shivering to some
counselor to find out what has gone wrong; and that is the last we
hear of many of them....

By offering our hearers a sweetness-and-light gospel and promising
every taker a place on the sunny side of the brae, we not only
cruelly deceive them, we guarantee also a high casualty rate among
the converts won on such terms. On certain foreign fields the
expression "rice Christians" has been coined to describe those who
adopt Christianity for profit. The experienced missionary knows
that the convert that must pay a heavy price for his faith in Christ
is the one that will persevere to the end. He begins with the wind
in his face, and should the storm grow in strength he will not turn
back for he has been conditioned to endure it.

By playing down the cost of discipleship we are producing rice
Christians by the tens of thousands right here on the North
American continent.  That Incredible Christian, 116-117.

"Lord, I suspect this is getting much worse even since Tozer's
day. In our emphasis on growth and success we may indeed be
guilty of producing rice Christians. Deliver us from that error.
Amen."

Tough Calls

2005-08-24T07:24:00.000-07:00

Leadership involves making tough decisions. Those that are strategic and personal. The divide between the two can be an unfathomable chasm. Those of you who know me are familiar with my love of basketball, both the game and the business. My favorite owner is Mark Cuban who sticks his neck out for his team and is a transparent leader. He recently waived his second best player on his team to save between 50 and 90 million dollars. Like a good leader he takes the blame for having to make such a tough decision:

In his blog, Cuban wrote, "The NBA is never just a business. It's always business. It's always personal. All good businesses are personal. The best businesses are very personal."

Calling Finley a friend, he went on to blame himself for the morass of bad contracts that littered the Dallas roster for years.

"It's my fault," Cuban went on to write, "that we got to this point. I was guilty of being overly optimistic. I wanted to believe that the next deal was the one that was the difference-maker. I found ways to rationalize the business side and how I would only be losing a few more dollars and that if it made the difference it was worth it. I enabled a culture where we always thought that if we had assets to trade we could fix a mistake.

"I was wrong."

"Waiving Mike gave us the opportunity to reclaim financial flexibility. It never should have gotten to this point. My mistakes let it. Which makes it all the more painful. It's business, but it really is personal."

I respect him for this and he serves as an example for me to take the blame when I am responsible for a situation.

Losing my mind?

2005-08-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

I am usually very together. I remember where things are. I remember where Jonathan's things are.
I've been failing miserably in this department lately and it has me ticked!

First of all, I usually pack when we go on a vacation because I'm good at it and Jonathan hates it. So, when I was doing that for our most recent vacation I had Jonathan pull a few items that he wanted to pack and he put them on the bed. When we arrived in Ontario we were confused as to why five of Jon's pairs of shorts were not in our suitcase. He went for the entire two weeks with one pair of shorts. Actually, we went and bought him a pair at Winners. We figured that they must have been left in our bedroom at home, or at his parents' house, where we spent the night before we left.

The crazy thing that I discovered yesterday was that I COMPLETELY FORGOT that I started to unpack and put our clothes in a dresser at my parents' house first when we arrived. But I only got as far as taking out the shorts... and so they were left there for our entire vacation.

So I say in my head "How could I have done that? Am I aging or something? Or is it 'baby brain?'
Whatever it is, it must be stopped!

On Saturday I "lost" Jon's keys on him because I put them in the car's console and completely forgot that I had done something with them.
Yesterday Jon "lost" his wallet because he put it under the car's seat while we went for a walk and forgot what he had done with it.

We've laughed and bonded. At least we can laugh at ourselves.

CNE

2005-08-20T19:52:00.000-07:00

2 Cuzzies with Nan and Pop

Militant Evangelism

2005-08-18T17:32:00.000-07:00

One of the Army's most demanding needs is for a revival of militant evangelism. I commend to you the Founder's book Salvation Soldiery, which has been recently republished. Salvationists should saturate their minds with these burning messages. God did not raise the Army to add to the denominations. It was born to make living contact with the unchurched masses, who had no desire to enter a place of worship. Its dynamic leader set the pace in leadership, desperate action and soul-winning enterprise. A stump, a kitchen, a jail, a market place, a railroad station, a tent, a music hall, a slum sidewalk, served him for a pulpit. He surrounded himself with people of like vision. They inspired the converts they won to capture prisoners from Satan, and make them into soldiers for Christ. The Army became an 'Army of assault', not by human design, but by divine intent, and within the space of a generation encircled the globe.
Dare we be content to become an army of occupation today? That is what we shall become unless soldiers of every corps catch the vision to revive individually the militant expression of our Movement in active hand-to=hand combat for souls. Christ commanded the Church: 'Go ye therefore and teach all nations.' The operative word 'go' means nothing less for the true Salvationist than active contact with men and women, boys and girls, everywhere and anywhere they are.
One of the first things a soldier learns is discipline. He does not ask if the mission is dangerous. Obedience to the command is all important. His individual contribution to the Army's overall conquest if vital. Salvationist are saved to save. Society has changed since the days of William Booth, but our work is still freeing slaves of sin. We are still under orders to go. We cannot win battles without establishing living contact with those we are out to save. Our song is right: 'To the front the cry is ringing, To the front your place is there Thank God, the spiritual resources that ensure victory are still available today, and as potent as ever. Wherever today's soldier of the Cross prays, is filled with the Holy Spirit and equipped for the Cross prays, is filled with the Holy Spirit and equipped for battle, he remains invincible in soul-winning. Soldiers need to be disciplined, trained and obedient, but they require the power of the Holy Spirit. He makes clear the desperate need for soul-wining, and helps us to cast off the encumbrances of the old life that have no place in the warfare of one called by God to be a soldier. He prepares the heart of the Christian for battle, then makes conquest for the Kingdom wonderfully effective.
One day we shall be called to stand before our great Commander-in-Chief. Those clear eyes will look into ours, and He will ask, 'Did you faithfully contact the lost in My name? What did you do with the life that I saved and gave back to you?' Comrades, our lives may be crammed with countless activities, and some of them may be labeled 'Army service', but our task is first and foremost soul-winning.

- Commisioner Leslie Pindred

This article was brought to my mind. If you would like to comment I would appreciate how to be militant and relevant (prophetically relevant) to today's culture and ethos. je

Continuing Development

2005-08-18T15:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a simple update on our son:

On our vacation Jedidiah started crawling while we were at my parents' house. How nice for them to see a milestone in his development! He also got his two front teeth (the beginnings of them anyway), bringing him up to four in total. I know for sure he packed on some weight because once we got home and I looked at him sleeping in his crib he looked so much bigger. He had his first real injury that included blood - thankfully it was only a little one. He also was able to visit the birth province of his mother and meet his great grandmother while we were there. He was able to play with and bathe with his only cousin Jonah. He had his first real beach experience during which he played in the sand and was put in the lake in the nude by his daddy. He went on a total of four flights and did really well on all. He is jet lagged... pray that he adjusts to BC time quickly or I'm going to be super tired.
What a memorable time. I guess I should record some of this stuff in his baby album.
Oh, and of course he was there to witness the marriage of his uncle Andrew and new Aunt Stephanie!
I'll choose and post a picture or two later.

CNE

I'm back and..

2005-08-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

I'm glad to be back from my time visiting family and attending my brother's wedding.

I was touched that my brother and Stephanie memorised Ruth 1:16-17 as part of their vows:

I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. .. May the LORD punish me severely if Iallow anything but death to separate us!

Now that is tying the knot! And what a good sense of security that creates (if they live up to their word). Little fights and big problems seem so trivial when established in such a covenant. They'll never have to go to bed wondering, "will she leave me tomorrow because of that?" Additionally, there is an end to misplaced hurtful joking like, "Do you want a divorce or something?" Because they are established in a safe, expected behaviour covenant, there is much security and an abundance of freedom. Hallelujah!

Oh and the Newfie culture was great: Music - fiddle, accordion & guitar; Dancing; "Screeching In" etc. Our families were joined. God Bless Stephanie & Andrew.

The fruit of my labours

2005-08-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I go along wondering if what I'm doing makes any difference. I talk to a lot of people about God, show a lot of people love and rarely see a huge change in people's lives. The past week I have had a couple of reminders.

I caught up on some email today and found an email from my friend whom I was discipling. Things didn't go great. He lost many jobs because of his addictions or by shacking up with some girl... one was a drug dealer and beat him up another murdered someone. It was frustrating because he expressed love for Jesus but didn't follow him (Jesus doesn't really appreciate this kind of response). He left town to get a change of scenery and I hadn't heard from him for a year, until today. I thought I hadn't made much difference. I was surprised that some of my efforts have made an effect in his life and he is conquering addictions, working and attends a corps in Northern BC. I continue to pray for him.

Last week before my trip to Newfoundland (brother's wedding), I met with a guy who I have known for about a year. He's finished at Miracle Valley and I was able to plug him in with some friends downtown. While we were saying goodbye to some of his mates, a guy pointed his finger in my face and exclaimed, "I'm here because you played your bongo and gave me some f-ing food downtown! You didn't know me but you played your bongo for me and fed me and treated me like a person and now I'm here because of you." I was flattered that he remembered me. I was more flattered that he attributed some of the reason he was there because I played the djembe. I didn't like the Sunday food line at Harbour light because the crowd wasn't that receptive and for a good spot in line had to listen to me preach and play the djembe drum. The food I served, I wasn't that proud of and had to eat it a few times after being dared by some of the homeless to eat the slop that I served there. It wasn't really that bad... It was mainly poor presentation: a couple hunks of meat end pastromi, a big potato in some flesh coloured mush. But you know all the discouragement the devil threw my way was cancelled with that appreciation.

I expect a lot of people reading this have done a bunch of good things without seeing the fruit. I hope these stories encourage you, like they have for me. Let us not become weary in doing good for in the proper time, we will reap a harvest eh? Keep on fighting (in love)... With or without seeing the fruits.

Jonathan

Good news

2005-08-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

It has taken quite a while to report this but, yes, I have found my rings. They were missing for a week until I found them in my closet in a piece of clothing that I tried on for about two minutes. Oh my. What a drag. I'm just glad to have found them. When I felt them in the pocket it was a second of disblief. Thanks to you who prayed that I would find them - much appreciated.

We're off for a vacation as of tomorrow. We're heading out to Ontario to visit my family and then to Newfoundland to be at Jonathan's brother's wedding. Should be fun and interesting for me since I haven't been back to Newfoundland (born and lived there until I was twelve) in twelve years. Time flies.
So, I don't know if we'll get any posts up while we're away. If not, bless you all. Keep us in your prayers for safe travels and a happy baby on our flights and health and also that we would get some confirmation on some things we're praying into.

Blessings.

Carla

Sacraments II

2005-07-27T19:26:00.000-07:00

Here is the second installment:

...some of the Jewish rites themselves become teaching models utilized by Jesus in interpreting the deeper spiritual truths of the Kingdom to the new followers of faith in Him. This is certainly true of the rite of baptism and observance of Passover along with several other Jewish festivals. While intermittent practices of these rites or some modification of them continues into the early church, it should be noted that their continued practice was not without difficulty as may be noted with regard to baptism in I Corinthians 1:13-17 and communion in I Corinthians 11:17-33. References to the word “baptizo” in Jewish usage appear several times in the Mosaic laws of purification (Exodus 33:17-21; Leviticus 11:23, 15:8; 17:15; Numbers 19:17&18; 31:22&23). Its meaning is that of "washing" or "cleansing" in these instances. In the Septuagint the word is used three times; II Kings 5:14, Ecclesiastes 34:25 and Isaiah 21:4. In all of these references the most likely meaning is one of cleansing. John the Baptist introduces a new ethical dimension to the practice by associating it with the necessity for personal repentance. It became a public declaration of a personal decision to change one practices and manner of thinking in preparation for the coming of the Kingdom. In and of itself it is an incomplete act as may be noted in Acts 18:25 and 19:3-5.

But Jesus, himself, affirms the new emphasis on repentance John has brought to this Jewish rite by himself participating in the baptism of John. The participation of Jesus in the baptismal event can be most easily understood as the Son of Man, as Jesus often referred to himself, anticipates the day when he will become the Sinbearer while simultaneously endorsing the preparatory process of John's ministry in announcing Christ's kingdom. In the Septuagint, the greek word "baptismos" is used to refer to the Jewish rites of the act of washing itself. In the New Testament the word used is "baptisma" which "always incorporates into its meaning the entire scope of theredemptive significance of the incarnate presence of Christ" (Dr. Clarence Bass).

In the New Testament, the same word is used in an entirely spiritual context. For example, Jesus (subsequent to his baptism by John says, "I have a baptism to be baptized with" (Luke 12:59), and "Can you drink of the cup that I drink of and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with (Mark 10:38; Matt 20:22)? The New Testament makes a strong contrast between John's water baptism and the subsequent baptism of the Holy Spirit. Passages such as Mark 1:8; Matt 3:11; Luke 3:16; Acts 1:4; and 11:16 all show this emphasis. Throughout the epistles there is growing emphasis on the redemptive, transformative and empowering dimensions of spiritual baptism. (Romans 6:3-5)

Finally, scripture emphasizes the essentials of faith including the dimensions of "one baptism" Eph 4:5 which we would understand to be the essential baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament the word used is "baptisma" which "always incorporates into its meaning the entire scope of the redemptive significance of the incarnate presence of Christ" (Doctor Clarence Bass).

The greatest challenge to the salvationist today, is to reverently respect the various manners in whichGod the Holy Spirit is pleased to work through a variety of understandings of doctrine and sacramental practice throughout many denominations, seek and encourage fellowship and spiritual growth among all of God's people, and humbly assert not the supremacy of nonsacramental observance, but simply the validity of it as a legitimate posture within the various expressions of Christian faith and practice.

Taken from SA201
Even more to come later

undeserved favor

2005-07-26T23:18:00.000-07:00

One thing I'm gonna miss when I leave the shelter in Maple Ridge in two weeks is the close relationships God granted me to build with clients and street people. Meeting each other at breakfast, lunch and dinner and all the time around town, on the hallways and the parking lot is a privilege I don't have with people in the Downtown Eastside.

On top of that God has blessed me with huge favor on their behalf and an incredible amount of openess towards me. Most humbling are times when I get to talk to a guy for the first time after almost three months now. Not small talk, but conversations where they shares depths of their current situation and desparation, their lives and beliefs.

This kind of makes me feel like I'm not worthy to be trusted in so much, since I'm not even the one who seems to be able to help them in any way. It's like God loving me without me having deserved it at all.

What remains is the need of faith in God that through these relationships and conversations he planted little seeds of faith and hope in people's lives that will grow. Long after I left. And that he continues to water the little plants of small beginnings. So that they may bear fruit, fruit that lasts, for the glory of God the Father.

A Salvationists' View on Sacraments (Part 1)

2005-07-22T21:51:00.000-07:00

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Perhaps in no other verse in scripture are the coordinates of our existence so succinctly and so specifically spelled out. "In the beginning" is the reference to time. Without referring to duration, it confirms its finiteness. "The heavens" is the reference to space which the created order occupies and through which it moves. "The earth" refers to matter and all form of physical substance from which all of the created order is formed.

As part of the created order, man as a physical being, exists in matter, space and time. By contrast, God exists above and beyond the created order. His existence and self sufficiency are apart from, prior to, and beyond the creation.

Yet God sees his creation as good. This phrase is repeated frequently through the opening verses of Genesis. Subsequent to the creation of man, God pronounces his creation as very good. The prevailing question related to encounters of sacrament is, “How does God communicate himself to us through His creation?” One can engage in scientific study on both an astronomic and microscopic level and discover order, balance, and precision bespeaking a technology far in excess of our own. But this merely reflects the mind of the Creator. It is not synonymous with it. Similarly, one could study the interrelatedness of the food chain and dependency of one life form on other life forms for its existence. But once again, while God is the conceptualizer, initiator and sustainer of these processes, He does not incarnalize Himself in them.

The word Sacrament is of Latin derivation and has to do with the concept of oath. A Roman Soldier
being sworn in to military service would declare the "Sacramentum", thus swearing his allegiance to his
government and his role. In the history of the Church, it has come to mean certain specific religious exercises, through which special blessing or spiritual edification is dispensed. It has been the subject of much debate whether or not these observances are efficacious in and of themselves, or whether they become the associated vehicle through which special blessing is channelled and dispensed, along with but separate from their practice. And, if the latter is true, are they really necessary?

What is the nature and evolution of sacred symbols in scripture?
A. Circumcision
When the Lord reveals himself to Abram as El- Shaddai and his name is changed to Abraham, the practice of circumcision is introduced with the following direction; "Then God said to Abraham, As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep. Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. For the generations to come every male among you who is 8 days old must be circumcised including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner- those who are not your offspring. Whether born in your household or brought with you money they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant.'" Gen 17:9-13
In the Old Testament, circumcision was periodically reinforced. Moses was required to circumcise his sons before going to Pharaoh in Egypt (Exodus 4:24). The Israelites circumcised all their males immediately upon crossing the Jordan and prior to taking possession of the Promised Land. (Joshua 5) During the establishment of the early church, there was a contingent seeking to make circumcision a prerequisite for new believers. Paul confronted this error in his letter to the Church at Galatia, "Mark my words, I Paul tell you that if you let yourself be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all... For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:2&6)
While the rite of circumcision was not practiced by Gentile believers, the term was applied to them in a spiritual context as may be noted in Col. 2:11, Romans 2:29 and Phil. 3:3. Thus, the importance of the meaning of the practice became a priority over the practice itself.

B. Devoted Things
Periodically, in scripture, the instruction was given to the Israelites that every living thing in a conquered city was to be utterly destroyed and absolutely none of the spoils were to be kept (Joshua 6:21). The Israelites loss of the battle of AI and King Saul's loss of his monarchy were both related to disobedience concerning this issue. Samuel the prophet declares, “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord. To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” (I Samuel 15:22).
The apostle Paul is perhaps building on this concept when he declares, "But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him” (Phil 3:7-8). Once again the spiritual truth takes precedence over the earlier physical act.

C. The Brazen Serpent
During the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites, they periodically engaged in grumbling and complaining. Numbers 21:6 describes how God sent venomous snakes in judgment upon them and, when they confessed their sin and requested forgiveness and healing God made a provision for them. A bronze serpent was made and fastened to a pole. Anyone who was bitten would be healed if he would look at the bronze snake. 2 Kings 18:4 reveals that this bronze serpent eventually became the object of idolatrous worship and had to be destroyed by King Hezekiah as part of his spiritual reforms. Jesus, in his discourse with Nicodemus uses the analogy of the serpent in the wilderness to describe the necessary death of the Son of Man. The spiritual lesson and analogy of the wilderness serpent continue to be important. The physical representation of the serpent itself has long since been destroyed.

D. The Ark of the Covenant
This was the most sacred object of all the tabernacle furnishings. It was a wooden box overlaid with gold. Inside of it was a pot of manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of stone received by Moses on Mt Sinai. It occupied the central place in the Holy of Holies. It was carried at the head of the procession when the children of Israel were on the move. There were specific instructions for the covering and transporting of the Ark. Any carelessness with regard to these instructions was usually fatal to the transgressor. The Lord had instructed Moses that He would focus his Presence between the cherubim on the Mercy Seat or the lid of the Ark. We might logically assume that with the specific instruction and severe penalties associated with proper regard for the Ark, that it would have a place of permanence in the worship setting of the Israelites. However, after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Jeremiah prophesies that "Men will no longer say, 'The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord' It will never enter their minds or be remembered, it will not be missed, nor will another one be made" (Jeremiah 3:16). From the beginning of the Babylonian captivity, the children of Israel had no access to a temple, tabernacle, or any worship setting that would have had any of their religious symbols. It was during the Captivity that synagogues developed, not as places with the religious symbols that had been so characteristic of the Hebrew faith, but as meeting places where the scriptures could be read, studied, and expounded. The period of the Captivity was a difficult time for the children of Israel but a time of learning and spiritual discovery as well. Though they could not encounter Yahweh through their historic religious observances, including Passover, they did discover His overruling hand on their circumstances.

The New Testament introduces radical change to the theological assumptions of the Jewish culture of the day. Although the springboard for the Christian faith is very Jewish in its character, the essential spiritual nature of the Kingdom of God is prominent throughout the gospel writings and the epistles. At the onset of his ministry, Jesus emphasizes to Nicodemus (John 3) that the transforming experience of conversion is best likened to a spiritual birth. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Similarly, he says to the Samaritan woman, "A time is coming and now has come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).

Taken From SA101 - Lt. Col Eugene Pigford
More to come at a later date

Discipleship

2005-07-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

Half-hearted Christianity is worse than no Christianity. Discipleship means complete dedication. It demands everything - the whole heart, the whole mind, and the whole of life, including one's time, energy, and property - for the cause of love. Would Jesus want anything less?

Ripple Effect

2005-07-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt like everything is going wrong? Well, that's about how I felt today. This doesn't happen to me often so when it does it's a real test of character. Because I still haven't found my rings (see previous blog from last week) I continue the search when I'm motivated. Well, yesterday I decided I should look in the clothes washer. Perhaps I left them in the pocket of the shorts I was wearing and they got washed down a tube or something. Anyway... I ended up unscrewing things and not knowing how to put them back together. I accidentally dropped a piece inside the inside of the washer and we had to take it apart even more.

I persevered and got it put back together tonight and I'm getting some laundry done. I'm still annoyed by the fact that I have no idea what happened to my rings and the more I think about it the worse I can remember any kind of details surrounding the time I took them off last.

The point of this blog is to talk about the ripple or domino effect. Often when one thing goes wrong we let it affect one thing after another. Before we know it many areas of life have been negatively impacted. The trick is to catch the first ripple before it causes another. Apply this to relationships or sin or whatever you want. I think it applies.

The enemy is prowling around, hoping to steal, kill and destroy. Catch him before he's into a full-out game of dominoes with your life.

CNE

Church

2005-07-20T17:38:00.000-07:00

I too believe that the best way to experience church family is to meet in each other's homes. The first century church knew this. They were blessed beyond measure. So why can't we get it through our heads that meeting in cells should be the primary way to "go to church?" Sunday meetings tend to be "entertaining." This is even more prevalent when the musicians are top-notch. I don't need to be amused on Sunday; I need to be mused. I need God to muse me. We need to get out of the cathedral and back to our homes where freindship and family is fostered like a mother nuturing her child. The only way the bride will be ready for the groom is if she goes home to be nurtured, fostered and loved by the kind of love only the Father can give. When you taste true family bonding you have tasted a little bit of heaven.

Cell Church model

2005-07-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

I am convinced this is the best way to do church. Our squad group keeps reaching more people, we experience God and check this out: Our Squad group spanned 3 generations... If Jedi was up it would be 4. Where else do you see the hearts of the fathers turned to their sons and vice versa? My only other experience is Salvation Army banding but I don't want to get into that discussion.

Lost Treasure

2005-07-15T22:59:00.000-07:00

I'm frustrated and quite disappointed. As of Wednesday evening my wedding band and engagement ring and a ring I was given by my former bosses are all missing. It could be that they are somewhere in my home but I haven't been successful in finding them anywhere.

So, I'm requesting that you would pray about this situation on my behalf. This may seem shallow considering the struggles people encounter in this world, however, these rings are meaningful and irreplacable to me.

Blessings,

Carla

Proud of my wife

2005-07-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

Carla earlier mentioned that she has a slight inferiority complex with respect to myself. Well, I'm proud to say she has beaten me out to be a delegate at the Territorial Symposium. She was selected by the divisional selection committee to represent BC (with around a dozen others). Hallelujah... the complex is vanishing!

Church Covenants (Cont)

2005-07-13T21:26:00.000-07:00

More recent than the aforementioned covenant is the Lausanne Covenant, coming out of a conference of evangelical leaders in 1974. To this some 2700 participants, gathered in Switzerland from 150 nations, set their hand. Besides the restatement of basic Christian doctrine one finds this:

We pledge ourselves to seek a deeper unity and truth, worship, holiness and mission... All of us are shocked by the poverty of millions and disturbed by the injustices which cause it. Those of us who live in affluent circumstances accept our duty to develop a simple lifestyle in order to contribute more generously to both relief and evangelism (perhaps giving up intoxicating drink and gambling are worthy fasts for this purpose - je)

Here are high ideals of mutual caring and sharing, and commitments to the edification of other members of the Body, in the best tradition of church covenants. Although John Stott comments that "the word 'covenant' is not used in its Biblical sense, but in the ordinary sense of a binding contract," it is to be noted that the conclusion of the text says "in the light of this our faith and our resolve, we enter into a solemn covenant with God and with each other, to pray, to plan and work together for the evangelisation of the whole world."

Other contemporary Christians, such as the Mennonites of Canada, have revived the practice of covenanting. In the "resolution on Human Sexuality adopted by that denomination in 1986, one encounters definite covenantal language:

We covenant with each other to study the Bible together and to expand our insight into the Biblical teachings relating to sexuality... We covenant with each other to mutualy bear the burden of remaining in loving dialogue in the Body of Christ... that the Holy Spirit may lead us to further truth and repentance... we covenant with each other to take part in the ongoing search for discernment.

Do such covenants make for better, more responsible church membership? Yes, covenant signers would reply, and are still needed. Is there no disunity among us today? Is there no Corinthian bickering, no self-righteous superiority, no neglect of the "little people" whose timidity or disability makes them incapable of standing up to the"strong"? Where are the churches, The Salvation Army corps, who are moved by love expressed in the old covenants, and who understand their obligations to one another in the sight of a Holy God? And ought we not commit ourselves, in solemn covenant, to foster that love and discharge that obligation? - Ed Read

My wise friend

2005-07-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who was over last night. She told me of a bunch of saddening stories about immorality and tolerance of it within our ranks. She stood her ground making people uneasy in their compromise. She is not a soldier. She wouldn't commit despite pressure from family, peers and congregation members. I'm afraid her walk with God was judged based on her not becoming a soldier. People would come up to her and tell her they were praying for her. The wise thing is, she didn't do it. A fourteen year old does have the ability to not commit despite pressure. She knew the weight of the commitment and didn't go through with it. I commend her. I have more respect for this act than committing and not fulfilling one's word. Today she is not a soldier but exhibits more soldier qualities than many I have met. One being, she is on mission for Jesus.

Love and Law

2005-07-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

Again, from God Has A Dream by Desmond Tutu:

"Only those who have not been in love don't know how demanding love can be as we try to please the one we love, try to become like the one we love. Love is more demanding even than law. No law tells an exhausted mother and father who want nothing more than to collapse in exhaustion that they must get up in the middle of the night to comfort their baby, walking for hours until their child calms down, but this is what parents do - because this is what love demands."

Indivisibility

2005-07-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

I'm reading God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for our Time by Desmond Tutu of South Africa. In writing about the elections of 1994 (in which black South Africans were permitted to vote for the first time) Tutu touches on a profound truth.

Many white South Africans found this election to be as freeing as the black South Africans. White people entered the booth "burdened by the weight of guilt for having enjoyed many privileges unjustly, voted, and emerged on the other side" claiming a new found freedom.

Tutu writes: "Now they realized what we had been trying to tell them for so long, that freedom was indivisble, that they would never be free until we were free."

I can not help but to broaden that truth.
We are all connected. I'm not entirely free until I join in fighting to end the injustice and bondage others are experiencing.

Freedom is indivisible; it must be shared.

Even if I'm not the source of burdening and slavery I have a responsibility to work to its end as God's 'transformation agent.'

Freedom is indivisible; I can not fully experience it if my neighbor isn't also.

CNE

Church Covenants

2005-06-30T19:13:00.000-07:00

The following question has come up recently in covenant blogs (see previous posts): Is it correct to form church covenants with expected behaviours? After thinking and researching this, I believe the answer is yes. Here's an excerpt from "Keepers of the Covenant" by Ed Read:

To begin to answer that question, it is worthwhile reviewing what the NT says about mutual responsibility among Christians. "One another" translates a single Greek word, allelon, which occurs more than seventy times. Look at some of these and not that believers are to

wash one another's feet - John 13:14
Love one another - John 13:34
In honour prefer one another - Romans 12:10
Be of the same mind one to another - Romans 12:16
Edify one another - Romans 14:19
Receive one another - Romans 15:7
Bear one another's burdens - Galatians 6:2
Be kind to one another, forgiving each other - Ephesians 4:32
Submit to one another - Ephesians 5:21
Comfort one another - 1 Thessalonians 4:18
Speak not evil one of another - James 4:11

So there can be no doubt about the Biblical emphasis on Christian solidarity. We are bound together by nothing less than the blood of Calvary; our unity is a fact and by that unity fellowship is nourished. But fellowship is not automatic, for just as men everywhere compete with one another and sometimes quarrel, just as they will oppose one another on political platforms or disagree what is good financial practice, so will Christians differ and dispute and quarrel. To enjoy true fellowship, we must all seek the truth, and live by it.

To maximise those efforts towards fellowship, covenants have their place. Is there, in fact any scriptural warrant? Yes, I think there is. Look at the revival under Nehemiah, about 440 BC. The returning exiles are challenged to forsake their sins; they respond with heartfelt confession, a thorough going admission of their waywardness and neglect. Nehemiah 9:1, 2, 38

The following chapter lists 22 priests, 17 Levites and 44 leaders who sealed the statement. Of the rest of the people, unnamed but obviously numerous, it is recorded that "all these now join their brothers the nobles with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God." Details are then given. Nehemiah 10:29 - 39

When Nehemiah found that the poor were being victimised, he became very angry, and challenged the nobles: "You are exacting usury from your countrymen! Let the exacting of usury stop! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses." Stirred by this fearless rebuke, the wealthy responded, "We will give it back and we will not demand anything more from them." And these promises were made the subject of a solemn promise, a covenant if you will: "Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised." Nehemiah 5:7, 11, 12

The situation may have changed today, but the concerns for one another in the family of God remain the same or ought to do so. Care, both of a spiritual and practical kind, shines through the church covenants. That written by Benjamin Keach in 1689 contains striking paragraphs:

We do promise to watch over each other's coversations, and not to suffer sin upon one another, so far as God shall discover it to us, or any of us; and stir up one another to love and good works; to warn, rebuke and admonish one another with meekness, according to the rules left to us of Christ in that behalf.

We do promise to bear with one another's weaknesses, failings, and infirmities, with much tenderness, not discovering them to any without the church, nor any within, unless according to Christ's rule, and the order of the gospel provided in that case.

It must be agreed that covenants of this kind are human enough, but the men making them are keenly aware of the presence of ANOTHER in such undertakings. Like marriage, these promises are made in the sight of God. Like vows to God, they can only be carried out in the strength the Spirit supplies.

Modern Rendition of an Old Truth

2005-06-29T12:14:00.000-07:00

A year or more ago I was reading Catherine Booth's Aggressive Christianity and one of her points really struck me. She asserted that satan has slowed down the endeavors of God by tripping up His people through deception. The two ways she proposed we are deceived are:
FIRST in regards to the standards of our own relationship with Jesus
SECOND in regards to our responsiblity to the world

Just recently I won (thanks 614 banquet!!) the recently released Aggressive Christianity: A Modern Rendition of a Revolutionary Document by Cory Harrsion. As I read through these points were accentuated for me again.

In her first point she writes about how we've turned Christianity into an "It's all about me" religion. The secret to success for the early Christians was their sold-out devotion to God, passion for Chirst and denial of the world. They didn't 'practice' Christianity for their own sake but for the sake of others too.... which leads to her next point. Catherine took very literally Jesus's command to "go and make disciples" and believed that even in the early Army days believers were living a "namby-pamby" presentation of the gospel by handing out tracts and preaching sermons without mentioning the name of Jesus.

This book continues to challenge me.

What is the standard of my realtionship with Jesus? Does it meet the Biblical one?
What is my responsibiltiy to the world... according to Jesus?

CNE

War

2005-06-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get the feeling some Christians don't even realize that there is a war going on? When we speak of war and use war/army jargon they look at us like we have three heads! Well, the enemy has blinded them. One of the tactics of war is to cut off communications. If your enemy cannot communicate your on your way to victory. The enemy of our souls has done just that--cut off communications between the bretheren. He has sent his spies in and seeks to divide us. We as soldiers of the cross must realize the tactics of the enemy and put on the full armor of God. Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, will bring in reinforcments. Whether it be angelic forces or our bretheren we will not be outgunned! We will not be afraid! We will march on to victory!

The war is real...

Our armor is real...

So put it on...

And fight!

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Rev. 12:11

2005-06-21T21:46:00.000-07:00

Mommy & Jed

Mourning Tonight

2005-06-21T21:27:00.000-07:00

No, this has nothing to do with the NBA finals. I had the opportunity to be called in to my grandma's bed today while she died. I had never seen anyone die before. It was much more drawn out and communal than I had expected. My aunts and uncles, mom, dad, brother, Stephanie (his fiancee) and my family were there. We read Psalms and other scripture. It was pretty surreal. My grandma's friend was there as The Salvation Army chaplin. Oh man.. I'm just writing about who was there! Sorry if you are a close friend and you're reading this here. I don't feel like calling anyone.

I know she is 'promoted to glory,' Jesus told me so. My uncle said, "well she's going to heaven if there is one." I'm thankful Jesus pulled off the ressurection. Knowing that so many people saw him after he died is comforting. (I've heard skeptics say he had a twin!) I'm glad he guaranteed us by his teachings of a room at his father's place. Almost everyone believes in heaven. Not many people agree on the way to get there. I'm just going to say that getting there is beyond ourselves. We all fall short, we can't do enough good things and maybe more importantly, we can't erase any of the bad stuff we did. So, even though I've screwed up a lot in life, I can be sure of heaven. My biggest assurance? I experience heaven here on earth. I know God, he speaks to me. I'm going to heaven one day... and in the crowd, I'm going to pick out Grandma and thank her again for the legacy she left us.

meetin' with the big chief

2005-06-16T21:28:00.000-07:00

Okay so he's not a chief, he's a colonel. Today Jonathan and I had the opportunity to meet with our divisional leader. We were, in fact, being evaluated (as candidates for officership) and our answers to his questions were being recorded. I wasn't feeling so excited about this meeting 'cause I'm really not into that kind of stuff but, man, the guy just makes you feel good and at ease. He validates you and at the same time adds his few (okay more than a few) cents to the discussion.

I left that meeting:

1. praying that more and more leaders like him will be raised up in the Army on a divisional level.
2. hoping I will grow to exhibit many of the qualities he exudes as a leader.
3. thanking God for bringing me and my hubs together... we are like a jigsaw puzzle where the pieces come together nicely.

I also recognized for once that I have a slight inferiority complex when I compare myself to my husband, yet I felt after this meeting that I really have no reason to be weighed down by that. I've been believing some lies. We really do compliment each other in giftings and that's how God intended it to be. He's no better, I'm no better.

To end this off in a somewhat serious but funny manner I will quote Jonathan who said in aiming to affirm me: "Carla, don't worry, my glaring weaknesses accentuate your strenghts."

CNE

Covenant Again

2005-06-15T16:17:00.000-07:00

I have heard all the excuses .. I was too young, I didn't know what I was signing (promising), I even had a friend who was tricked into it! This is his story.

He was a teenager in a small corps and the Divisional Commander was visiting. I guess the officers wanted to look good so they get my friend before the meeting get him to sign something. He didn't know what it was but did it anyway. He could trust them, they were his pastors. Goofing around in the back with his friends during a part of the service, he heard his name called. I think he thought he was in trouble, big trouble because they asked him to come to the front. A guy grabbed the flag. My friend thought, "Oh no, what are they going to do with that!?!" Next thing he knows people are clapping and they hand him the piece of paper he signed and then went to sit down.

Question: Does the Covenant still apply?

Just like the other excuses above the answer is yes. Would those excuses apply to marriage? Can I get a divorce because Carla is mean to me? I was too young? I didn't know what I was getting myself into! I was drunk at the ceremony, It didn't count.. I can just walk out on her right? Well these are the excuses people use to walk out on me all the time. The Salvation Army covenant isn't to an organisation but to people and when they leave, it hurts me just like it would hurt a spouse when they wake up in bed with a note instead of their friend for 10 years.

God holds covenants seriously. God is understanding and gracious but he is also a God of legalities. Otherwise, he would have found some other way to save the world rather than dying on the cross. God is a God of Judgement and Grace. He holds us to our word.

Ecc 5 says: When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake; why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

I have stories too (Judges, Joshua, Chronicles) about covenants.. Another time, Another blog.

New Radio Station

2005-06-14T23:13:00.000-07:00

I like this new radio station: The night watch It is a 24/7 prayer/worship station> Subtitled, "the fire on the altar shall never go out." It is a house of prayer. I like the tunes. It is charismatic flavoured and has the Christian hits too. You can stream it and if you dig it you can support them with a gift. Hope it is a blessing. They've had some good prayers!

Still on Covenant

2005-06-14T22:59:00.000-07:00

I have to thank my friend who had me thinking about covenant. I'm absorbed by the song and thoughts. Read this today:

What are the basic essential non-negotiable ingredients that should be present at the core of every Salvation Army ministry? This question cannot be asked seriously without going deep, probing and searching for essence. What is it that defines the Army as an organization or Movement? Using DNA as a metaphor here may be helpful. Every human body has a specific DNA. A systematic analysis of any part of that body, no matter how large or minute, will produce evidence of DNA that is the same. The parts of the body will not look or act alike. Each will have its own unique appearance and function. But an analysis of the fundamental essence of all parts of that body (DNA) will reveal that each belongs to the whole. What is The Salvation Army's DNA? Is it that we all look and act alike, and our ministry and worship expressions are identical? Hardly! The essence of the Army goes far deeper than that. That is not to negate, of course, that there are those visible distinctives that help to provide identification. A belief system is fundamental to what the Army is. "We Believe ... " is an essential component of Army terminology. The Scriptures are the foundation upon which a set of well-defined doctrines are built and articulated. While these statements of faith are variously interpreted, they remain constant and critically important. Flowing out of the Scriptures and the doctrines is a series of covenants that describe and require a commitment to behaviour and lifestyle. Officers, soldiers and local officers are covenanted people. While these ideals are imperfectly achieved in individuals and ministry units, evidences of the part of the Army DNA that pertain to beliefs will be found. What values are common to the Army? The ideal is that all Army values flow out of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This relationship and the lifestyle that should ensue are empowered by the Holy Spirit. All that pertains to holiness of life has historically been an aspect of being Army. It is certainly the case that the doctrine of holiness itself has been defined and redefined in many different ways. The principles and values that emerge, however, have remained as a set of high standards toward which the Movement as a whole aspires. All committed individuals and ministry units are expected to exemplify honesty, integrity, discipline, fairness, faithfulness, compassion, humility and generosity, to name but a few. Aspiration pertaining to holiness of life is an integral part of the Army's DNA and should be found in some measure everywhere the flag is flown. Is there a common Army vision? There is no doubt that William and Catherine Booth's vision was to “win the world for Jesus.” Every officer's covenant includes the statement that the winning of souls will be the first purpose of his/her life. While it can be debated whether or not this massive objective is taken seriously in practise, the idea remains. The expression of it places evangelism, at least conceptually and imperfectly in practise, as a major component of the Army's vision. It is likely that in every ministry unit there will be someone who will say if push comes to shove, that the bottom line is encouraging people to come to faith in Jesus Christ. It is safe to say then, that the vision for world evangelization is a part of the Army's DNA. Is there a common Army mission? It would be hard to improve upon General Gowan's statement “The Salvation Army was invented to save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity” in terms of a statement of mission. Does this simple, yet profound, description round out the Army's DNA?

So I don't agree with everything here. Especially that we as individuals cannot fulfil the covenant that we make to God. God would not call us into something impossible to achieve. That would be a cruel thing to call us into something that when we can't fulfill it, would bring judgement on us and abuse Christ's Grace. I like his point though about collectively filling in holes for each other. Where our collective witness is accentuated by our brother and sisters witness. I have to get out of the North American individualistic thinking.

Another objection: SAVING SOULS IS OUR TOP PRIORITY... Period! We take it seriously where I'm from and we commit ourselves to intentionally spend time to do this task. Our sermons are focussed on salvation and opportunities are given to talk about Jesus and his galactical and individual redemption plan. Just because there are lukewarm people out there doesn't mean that we have to become less idealistic. Let's not change our values or principles but our actions and become disciplined. Then we will be a force to be reckoned with.

Covenant

2005-06-13T21:52:00.000-07:00

Talked to my friend about Covenant. I’m ashamed that we, The Salvation Army do not inform our soldiers properly for what they sign up to. We care more that we’ve fooled someone into signing up wearing our suit and we get to feel good that they are one of us… And they don’t even know what one of us is. Do we even know what one of us is? Why do we abstain from alcohol? Why not gamble it can be so innocent? Give as much money as I can to The Salvation Army? Why? They have heaps and if I don’t then I’ll have to buy no name cereal instead of real raisin bran that has two scoops!!! And.. We’re so individualistic! That part isn’t for me.

Think about it though. One man is just a breath in the wind. Your life really won’t matter when it comes to it in 20 years after your death? No? Then tell me about your great grandparents? What can you tell me about them? Probably not much except for what they belonged to. Even William Booth is an example of this. We wouldn’t remember him if it weren’t for his legacy which is you and me! It is us who keep his memory alive by adopting his mission and worship. Name one lone ranger that has impacted the world for generations. Jesus didn’t do it. William Booth didn’t do it and you and I can’t do it. We need to belong to something greater than ourselves and in this case it means subscribing to some beliefs and life values. I must say our beliefs are simple and allow for some forms of liberalism and individuality. There is individuality built into our values and life decisions in some degree as well: “I promise to give as much of my income as possible…” If you want to live your life to the beat of your own drummer… go ahead but it won’t add up to the collective witness of thousands of bound-together, world-wide witnessing Christians filled with The Holy Spirit!

And He, The Holy Spirit, is essential. Covenant is a burden not able to bear without him. He is the voice of reason and power that enables us to fulfill this covenant. Don’t we acknowledge this as God Helping Me? It isn’t a vice we tighten around new soldiers, it is a freedom of rights. A boundry in which we can feel safe and know each other like a marriage covenant. Sex without a covenant is fearful, “Will they be there with me when I wake up? In twenty years when I have cellulite, male pattern baldness and more nose hairs coming out of my nose than I do now will the stick with me?” Sex is dangerous outside of covenant too. That’s why there are diseases spread and hearts broken. It’s even worse when the covenant is broken. If our temporal sexual relationship is enriched with covenant won’t even more our eternal spiritual covenant that binds us together? It is a dangerous thing to not belong to someone in some way shape or form and to no define it leaving millions of questions in the brain. Okay… I’ve gone on too long.. But friends, I know I’ve discovered it. Please comment if you have questions.

Covenant
(C) 2005 Phil Laeger

I got nothin' I can bring to You
Just a borrowed tune I sing to You
And if I'm honest and tell everything to You
I just don't feel like I used to
But I know You already knew
Everything I'd be going through
Because You walked where I'm walking now
And You didn't throw in the towel
So I won't...

I won't go back on my covenant
My heart is heaven bent
Yeah, I'm on the right track
His hand of grace is upon me now
My hand is on the plow
And I'm not turning back
Carry my cross to where Jesus went
All that I said I meant
I won't go back on my covenant

So get a grip with your tired hands
And with your shaky legs take a stand
Mark out a straight path before Your feet
So those who follow you won't stay weak
Cause He who first made you new
Is gonna finish His perfect work in you
So fix your eyes on the Glorious King
And sing this sweet song of victory
With me...

I won't go back on my covenant
My heart is heaven bent
Yeah, I'm on the right track
His hand of grace is upon me now
My hand is on the plow
And I'm not turning back
Carry my cross to where Jesus went
All that I said I meant
I won't go back on my covenant

I won't obey just when I feel like it
Or when it's convenient
No, no, no, no...

(C) 2005 Phil Laeger

Open Sesame

2005-06-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

Someone asked me today where was open sesame in the Bible. Actually, they asked the receptionist who said I don't know where it is and then came to ask me because I probably know.... I was able to let the person keep their dignity by not laughing in their face and with a straight face said... I'm pretty sure it isn't in there. (It probably is in there with the Message version though).

"Well there is ask and it will be given to you seek and you will find knock and the door will be opened for you.. but that's pretty much it." I said still holding back a smile.

"No, where is it where they open up the tomb?" she said a little perturbed I would not acknowledge the long lost scripture.

"Check out Matthew 27 I think that is where it is."

I came through the sanctuary 15 minutes later and she was digging into the huge Bible at the front.. Too bad it wasn't the Message version. She could have found Open Sesame somewhere in that one.

Blood & Fire!!!

2005-06-13T18:54:00.000-07:00

I preached on Sunday and was blessed by how The Holy Spirit led a response. One new Salvation and a bunch (13) of commitments at the mercy seat. I prayed with one guy who has gone back to drinking. He was obviously convicted and sincerely is seeking God for help. Afterwards we were celebrating with the song "Trading my Sorrows" and then "Are you washed" (new school sounding). Funny thing is whenever The Holy Spirit really pours out at a meeting and has people energised and exited there seems to be a march in Salvation Army Circles. The march had the Army flag, banners and even the Canadian flag (the only one left over). It was kind of like a congo line though cause none of us have military backgrounds... more party backgrounds. It was hilarious and fun. A bunch of release in dancing and enjoying the kingdom together. What a breakthrough! Prasie God!

Talking about habits...

2005-06-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

So Jonathan has filled you in on the habit-breaking venture of ours. I have this way of bothering Jonathan by asking him a question while he's in the middle of doing something (like reading or writing) and expecting an immediate response. I figure that since I'm able to multi-task, then he should be able to as well!
I'm working on patience in waiting for him to be ready to listen.

This book we're reading talks a lot about deposits and withdrawls into and out of your significant other's Love Bank. It sounds cheesy but we're buying into it. We're working on making way more desposits than withdrawls. It can be quite the challenge! As humans we develop many habits that can be so difficult to break. In and of themsleves they may not be so bad, but, in relation to someone you love they offer enormous potential for resentment or bitterness. At the same time, these situations provide great opportunity for walking in selflessness and consideration.

CNE

Bad Habits are hard to break

2005-06-07T19:58:00.000-07:00

A bad habit I was in was not doing devotions with Carla. Praise God that changed. We've been doing them together for a couple of weeks now and they are very beneficial. Today I resolved to be king of the counters because my counter etiquette is somewhat lacking. A little spilled spaghetti sauce here or some toothpaste over there never really bother me but with Carla.... I might as well be withdrawing money and blowing it on useless odds and ends from those bins at Ikea. Pray that I'll notice how ugly my counters can look... oh and how unhygienic that is.

At the altar everyday

2005-06-05T21:10:00.000-07:00

I was having a discussion with my bro in law about the mercy seat. There is a guy who at my corps, attends the mercy seat whenever he's there... sometimes multiple times. He's a little slow so I don't know his intentions or if he hasn't picked up on our culture where we just go up there when God is really giving it to us heavy... My bro in law wisely said, "you should go to the mercy seat everyday!" Who cares if someone goes up their all the time eh? We should be having the sacred life all the time. Special moments of consecration and communion. For those of you who are a little lost... the mercy seat is a symbolic bench at the front of most corps where people go and spend special times with God. Generally we repent of sin, consecrate ourselves or intercede. I'm going to create a portable version so we can tote that special place around everyday and be at his altar!

More Star Wars

2005-05-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

After reviewing the entire Star Wars series in my mind I came up with a teachable point dealing with humanity and Christ. Anakin Skywalker represents Adam: there is much promise (prophecy) set up before him yet he fails to take hold of his destiny. Both fail and find themselves in darkness due to disception. Deception is both spiritual and with words. The idea that what they are about to do will give them power, even power over death which is an empty lie of darkness. Adam and Eve were deceived into the dark side and as a result the rest of humanity are behind the doors of darkness waiting to be released. Anakin turns to the dark side, resulting in the galaxy's darkest period and the genocide of the Jedi. Years of waiting later for prophecy to come true turns to anticipation with young Luke skywalker, who goes through the same deception as his predecessor. Power is offered to him (Episode V, my fav) and surprisingly it is a similar offer than his father: Darth Vader! Luke has a vision of people in distress and determines he can help him. Ultimately, Luke spurns deception and takes hold of the force while his father converts and lives up to the prophecy that he would destroy the Sith (dark side jedi). Christ likewise, overcomes the schemes of the devil who offered him the power over kingdoms of the world... "Together we will rule the galaxy!" Christ's choice of love and sacrifice over power to save humanity are great....

Application:

I sat in a car yesterday of a deceived man addicted to drugs. His mandate was to help "f*ing crackheads." He didn't know why things weren't working out for him but he had obviously turned to darker activities. Sometimes... our "resident demon" is there to offer that we are a light, helping people, when really we are falling into a dark pit of lies and offering no hope for others because there is no hope for us. There is a deception that says, "You are powerful and can help these people." God operates differently. Jesus was about, "I gave to you, go give to others and don't charge." If God hasn't given you stuff to give... Don't help. Concentrate on Jesus and feed and your time will come.

Where is power being offered to you? Is there any deception that you can help people that you really can't? Are you seeing too far into the future? What is Jesus offering you to take hold of so that you can freely give later?

And while the force is the universal energy that binds all living things,
the Dark side is it's evil counterpart, providing a fast track to power but
extracting the ultimate price of consuming the soul of it's practitioner. And
while a quick comparison may me made between the two sides of the Force and with
God and the devil of the Bible, it's important to note that the Bible makes it
clear that it is God who is all powerful and the devil was a created angel who
rebelled against the love of God. - Hollywood Jesus

2005-05-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

Antie Kristie loves Jedi (she's addicted!)

2005-05-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

Jedi and me on the ferry from Victoria (Victoria Day 2005)

Red Pill Forum

2005-05-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

I took 5 guys to Lord of the Sith (Star Wars III) yesterday. It was quite the oportunity to be in relationship and do something special with them. The movie presented great avenues for teaching spiritual principles such as flesh vs. Spirit, deception, community and discipleship. The low for me was the behaviour of two of the guys who were being loud and obnoxious and ran up and down the aisle a couple of times. They didn't really know how to behave when they were so excited. We apologized to a lady who told us to shush after the movie... She was a lone senior citizen watching Star Wars (sorta out of her demographic). After the forgiveness session we all talked about the movie and we are going to watch clips about the force and I'll introduce the concept of The Spirit being like the force. The one breakdown one of the guys asked is there a bad side to The Spirit? I guess there is if you consider demons and the devil but there is no bad side at all to The Holy Spirit. It was the one event where there was buy-in to a greater purpose and the guys thought about designing cards to give to people so they could come, help out the community by doing a free car wash, and washing dishes at the local homeless shelter. Praise God for the fruit I've seen in these guys. May they hunger and thirst for righteousness.

What does God require?

2005-05-26T22:11:00.000-07:00

Squad went well tonight. We had ten out and had some great food, hospitality, digging in the word and prayer. It was a change for me 'cause we were out at someone else's place and Jonathan took Jedidiah home to bed... refreshing!

We were looking at Micah 6:8 where God is telling us what pleases Him - justice, mercy and humility.

To end off we asked Jesus how we, as individuals, can actively live these things out. He told me about mercy.
There's this person I know... God wants me to reach out to her... which I have... but she doesn't accept it all too easily. I get discouraged when she seems to back off or doesn't eagerly accept what I'm offering. Jesus told me that I need to keep persuing her, just like He does for all of us. We don't always take from Him what He's offering us so easily, but, in His mercy, He keeps on keeping on.

I love that.

CNE

Went to Delerious

2005-05-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

I went to delerious? last night. It was great because I was with a bunch fo guys who had never been to a Christain concert before. My friend said it was the first time he went to the PNE and people weren't smashing bottles, puking and stumbling all over the place. He talked about how abnoxious rock crowds could be. We were excited and crazy but still temperate! It was my other friend's first concert with a real band (not garage). He entered worship and everything... He's not even Christian. It was a great way to disciple people... Stag Parties and Rock Concerts. I should write a book or something like that. Good title. Sorry to say my friend Paul missed the event and he was the one looking the most forward to it. ah well... hope he forgives us.

Today we talked about aliens... The search for something beyond ourselves with higher intelligence and in some cases, for the salvation of the planet. Could this be a part of our questioning for a God misplaced on other civilizations from other planets? Then we played ball.

Jonathan

Doing it solo

2005-05-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

This week I'm experiencing the life of a single parent. Jonathan is off in Florida (for good reason of course) while Jedidiah and I are home. Being the primary and only (pretty much) caregiver for Jed this week has often brought my thoughts to single parents. What a challenge that must be. Imagine not having supports around to help you with your kids. I honestly feel like I'm getting far fewer 'other' things done because there is no relief.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm having a magnificent time with my boy. He's so quickly learning to do new things and interacting in fun ways. Just since Jonathan has been gone (only four days) he has begun to cuddle me, he rolled over by himself and he keeps doing this strange thing where he punches his mouth about twenty times in a row. It makes me laugh. We had our first Mother's Day together too! Actually, he was 'with' me last year on Mother's Day, just couldn't see or feel him yet.

Here is the time for me to send out some props to my sister Sherri who is a great mom to her boy Jonah. Quite often Sherri is at home with Jonah while Glenn (daddy) goes on the road with the band (www.downhere.com). You're a strong woman sis! I admire your strength, character and parenting skills!

No wonder God has a huge heart for widows... quite often they are left as single parents who need FAMILY.
To all the single parents out there (for whatever reason) - God bless you... with strength, endurance, patience, WISDOM and people who can support you - COMMUNITY.

This was kinda all over the place. Oh well.

CNE

Discipleship

2005-05-05T22:15:00.000-07:00

Jesus never wrote a book or course, though he did teach some things that his friends remembered. He didn't play a guitar and get a bunch of people to sing, stand up, sit down and stand up again (not that there is a problem with that). He didn't even make his guys read much. The funny thing is Jesus just hung out with the boys and a few girls and rubbed off on them.

I have a friend who I'm discipling and we've gone through material but what really matters to him is that we hang out. He told me today that whenever he's with me he has fun. That made me feel good because sometimes I feel like I'm getting old and losing it. I took him to my friend Rob's stag. It was a great opportunity, though he never met anyone, to be enveloped in authentic Christian community. He saw that Christian's aren't so boring, can talk about sex in a humourous and healthy way, build each other up and pray for each other. The other cool thing is in authentic Christian community there are no closed doors. Rob didn't get upset that a complete stranger was invited to his guy's blessing. He wasn't upset that we made him walk around in white underwear on the streets of Vancouver.

We're cultivating the authentic community in our squad too. You can tell when people show up 45 minutes early (I told him to come back later) and leave an hour late. We just enjoy each other's company. We like to talk about spiritual things and bless each other. I'm liking this new form of church. It is really making me tired of the other way. Pray that I persevere in more traditional forms. Thanks.

It isn't what-not-to-do anymore for me...

2005-04-30T19:54:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but most of my life I've considered what Jesus said about 'doing unto others as you would have them do unto you' to mean that I should refrain from doing unkind, inconsiderate and selfish things at the expense of others. This week God has been filling me in a little more on this. Not only should I "not do" what I wouldn't want done to me, I should "do" what I want someone to do for me.I guess I already know this... just haven't been really living it lately.

This week I've been wanting someone to call me up... ask me how I'm doing... or invite me to do something with them. I felt a bit bummed because literally, no one did. And I got to having a bit of a pity party for myself, realizing that I don't have many close friends near by. But then the Lord asked me if I had called anyone this week to ask how they're doing... or invited someone over for dinner etc....

In the Kingdom of God I live in I'm supposed to do those things that I was wanting for myself.

Funny (not really) how I've lived for so long twisting what Jesus said. So often he tells us to "go" or "do" instead of giving us a what-not-to-do list. I like it. Trying to live by it.

CNE

On a Mission

2005-04-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

I was looking at some papers I have to fill in and one asked what I do for devotions. Other than the traditional Bible reading, prayer and some other reading such as my utmost for his highest or a leadership book, I thought, I live my life as devotion. I'm committed to Jesus 24-7. This was a huge struggle for me a year ago. I even talked to a visiting War College teacher and said, I don't pray as much as I'd like to. He asked me what I like to do and can you do that with Jesus. I told him I like basketball and reading about it on the net. He took me through an exercise and it has proved useful to be in constant devotion. I just share what I'm doing at any moment The Holy Spirit tells me to. Michael Collins, one of my heroes, was on top of this once when he challenged us to recognise God's presence three times a day. It is more of a mindset, devotion. Here's a thought from Henri:

When we live our lives as missions, we become aware that there is a home from where we are sent and to where we have to return. We start thinking about ourselves as people who are in a faraway country to bring a message or work on a project, but only for a certain amount of time. When the message has been delivered and the project is finished, we want to return home to give an account of our mission and to rest from our labours.

One of the most important spiritual disciplines is to develop the knowledge that the years of our lives are years "on a mission."

Letting things slip

2005-04-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

So I've been thinking again. On Sunday and Monday I was out pretty much all day, forcing Jedidiah to nap in the car, stroller and backpack. This really did mess up his schedule. We had quite the schedule going and only two days of straying from it really messed things up. It was like we had to almost start over again with his bed time and nap time routine while at home. Just like us spiritually. When we start to let things slide even one, two or three days... we can end up straying pretty far. I admit that since Jed has come into my life it has been more difficult to be disciplined in study and quiet time. I'm not saying that my faith has strayed far, just that I haven't been on my toes and have let the enemy get me down in some ways. Today I am challenged to get back into the routine on a regular basis. This has been a great lesson for me. Have you been letting anything slide?

CNE

2005-04-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

My sick throat. You may lay your hands on the tonsils and pray for healing. Anointing your monitor with oil is also appropriate

At home

2005-04-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

The weather has been great here and I'm cooped up indoors. The doctor told me yesterday that I either have tonsillitis or mono. I'm somewhat proud that it isn't some piddley thing like Mad Cow, although I think Prions are really cool. Prions act like viruses but they don't have any DNA they are self-replicating proteins. It's been nice to sleep on the couch a lot and then wake up shivering in my own sweat when my fever breaks! I had two changes of clothes last night! The other fun thing about being sick is fever delusions. I have had some pretty profound thoughts, so I think but when I express them to Carla they make no sense at all. Maybe like this blog. I guess the brain wasn't created to function well near 40 C.

The good news is Jedi is still throwing up more than me. I did have a good one the other day though and after taking a tylenol to down my fever had the urge. I tried running to the bathroom but Jed's stroller is parked in there. I turned my head so he wouldn't have his puke collection contaminated by mine and heaved on and around the toilet. I spent the next hour cleaning up floors in my house. There's nothing more depressing than being sick and cleaning up your own puke with a brush and one of your old socks.

I felt like I was feeling better last night, enough to eat anyways. I cooked bbq pork, bought strawberries when I got my Rx, fresh french bread... I hadn't eaten anything but a bowl of cereal, some bread with cheese, yoghurt and chicken soup (I threw it up though). So I prepared with Carla a great meal and it tasted awful to me. I could only eat the bread and corn, the carbs without sauce, unless you consider margarine sauce. I haven't had anything to eat today and I'm starting to get hungry. There's always bread.

Isn't that how we are when we're sick spiritually? We want something amazing but really what we need is the only thing tasty that doesn't make our stomach sick: the bread of Life? I think I'll wait around for special spiritual blessings when I'm really healthy and can stomach them rather for asking for delicacies when I'm sick. Even the strawberries from California tasted bad to me!

Health to you!

Jonathan

What hurts him hurts me

2005-04-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

Just another thought on life and God. This week we've initiated more of a "schedule" for our dear babe Jedidiah as he is now three months old and needs one. Part of this includes him crying sometimes when he should be sleeping. It really hurts me to go in and see him so upset, knowing that picking him up and cuddling him will not really help him. Letting him lie there and cry and figure out what he's supposed to do is what is really best for him right now. Makes me think that God must hurt when we're crying over how things are going for us - but He knows what's best for us so He doesn't just pick us up and solve the problem... He lets us figure it out on our own a lot of the time.

What does God see you crying about lately?

Carla

On Glenn's Blog

2005-04-06T22:32:00.000-07:00

My bro in Law commented on oaths and covenants.. He refers to me so Here's my response. (Glenn's Blog)

Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?...Those who... keep their promises even when it hurts. - Psalm 15

OKAy.. I agree... OATHS are serious and... are necessary for intimacy. Look at God and the covenants he makes. They are 1) Costly and 2) Eternal. That's why He says in Ecc 5 "And don’t make rash promises to God, for he is in heaven, and you are only here on earth. So let your words be few.
3 Just as being too busy gives you nightmares, being a fool makes you a blabbermouth.
4 So when you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. 5 It is better to say nothing than to promise something that you don’t follow through on. 6 In such cases, your mouth is making you sin. And don’t defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved"
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

God takes oaths seriously too. Check out in Joshua 9 where the Gibeonites deceive Israel> Key words, "They did not inquire with the Lord." Anyways, they make an oath that they got tricked into and God holds them by their word though deceived!

Check out 2 Sam21, There was a famine during David’s reign that lasted for three years, so David asked the Lord about it. And the Lord said, “The famine has come because Saul and his family are guilty of murdering the Gibeonites.” So David being a man after God's own hear restores the covenant by making ammends with the Gibeonites! The cost of a promise made generations ago but broken now? 7 lives of Saul's descendants. David made sure he didn't harm Jonathan's son because David and Jonathan had a covenant.

Covenants are serious business. More binding than a legal contract and our society is not about covenant at all. Just look at everyone with their consumer mindset. There toaster has a busted handle, so they buy a new one. THere wife is fat so they get a younger slimmer one. There church doesn't sing hip songs like doerkson, or downhere so they go to another one. The other thing is covenants bring closeness and intimacy. THat is why GOd creates them and binds us to himself using them. THey are rewarding and of special value. If thinking about a vow, or oath weigh the rewards and understand the sacrifices.

Disagree? Check out this one from Judges 11:

I will give to the Lord the first thing coming out of my house to greet me when I return in triumph. I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”
32 So Jephthah led his army against the Ammonites, and the Lord gave him victory. 33 He thoroughly defeated the Ammonites from Aroer to an area near Minnith—twenty towns—and as far away as Abel-keramim. Thus Israel subdued the Ammonites.
34 When Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, his daughter—his only child—ran out to meet him, playing on a tambourine and dancing for joy. 35 When he saw her, he tore his clothes in anguish. “My daughter!” he cried out. “My heart is breaking! What a tragedy that you came out to greet me. For I have made a vow to the Lord and cannot take it back.”

I like big buts and I can not lie

2005-04-04T15:05:00.000-07:00

The other day when I was reading in John a verse stuck out. In Christian circles we often hear people saying that if you just pray in Jesus's name anything will be done or given. Well... is that really the case? Check out verse seven in the following:

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! 8 My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

You can't just ask anything in His name and expect it to be done. There is a BUT and it's a BIG BUT! LOL
It says "IF you stay joined to me and my words remain in you...'
That's a big BUT don't you think?

What does it mean to stay joined to Jesus and have His words remain in you?
That's a lot to think about.

Until later,
Carla

Tara is blogging

2005-03-31T17:42:00.000-08:00

Tara is going at it too! For a long time now, really. I missed out on the opportunity to add her but she is a true champion. She has given up family, money and security for Jesus. She loves him and says he is a "good boyfriend." if I remember correctly. BTW.. Tara has the most contagious harty laugh I've heard! --> Link

More than he can handle

2005-03-31T11:48:00.000-08:00

Since becoming a mother in Januaray I've had many learning moments when I've thought "Hey, I should blog that!" I do have Jonathan's full-out permission to blog here any time but I just haven't got around to actually doing it. You mothers know how that goes.

Last night after Jed was in bed for the night I hit the sac too - gotta capitalize on the hours of baby sleep. As I drifted off I thought about how much he had spit up that day. After one of his feedings he spit up a substantial amount- not once but three times. He was eating more than he could handle. Why does he do that? Well sometimes I think it's because he's trying to increase his stomach's capacity for milk. Sometimes I think it's because he just plain loves to be nursed by his mommy and doesn't want to stop. Sometimes I get frustrated with how much he spits up. I expect him to keep down what he has taken. Often I have to change his bib, get a new blanky, and perhaps change his whole outfit.

Well you might have guessed where I'm going with this. I started to think how this could relate to spiritual mothers and fathers and their baby Christians. Do we sometimes overfeed them, give them more than they can handle? Do we put so much in front of them that they spit up the basics and lose a lot of what was fed? Or do we begin to see their need for a change of clothes because they're dirty and so we get frustrated or even give up on them?

I'm running short on time and no relevant scriptures are coming to mind.
What do you guys think?

P.S. For a few minutes I totally forgot what it was I was thinking I could blog while in bed last night. I'm not sure how often you'll hear from me - this took forever. I was, in fact, feeding Jed while I blogged with one-finger tying!

My friend Saul

2005-03-30T16:48:00.000-08:00

My youngest bloggin' friend is up and running. He's got a link to the right --> now. He's only twelve and check out how well he writes (I almost said how good!) Link

2005-03-29T20:56:00.000-08:00

See a pattern when Grandpa visits?

2005-03-29T20:55:00.000-08:00

Dedicated to God... Only occasion I'll purposely put my son in a dress.

In heaven I bet we are naked

2005-03-29T20:26:00.000-08:00

After resurrection Sunday, I've been thinking about what my resurrected body is going to be and how heaven is. This relayed my thoughts to God's original creation that he will RENEW!

God created Adam and Eve and had them in a state of full security. He was their covering, their outward identity. Think about it. His presence or glory was so thick, that they had no inhibitions or awareness that they were completely bare. Also, they had complete intimacy with God. They were transparent, not hidden from him and vice versa. So you might think I'm onto this just because you know my mind tends to go to the stuff like nakedness. (I used to get kicks reading Leviticus and Song of Songs during sermons). But even Moses was hung on this. He mentions it 5 times in his story about Adam and Eve. In fact it is their main distiguishing mark before the fall. "They were naked and not ashamed." I think this meant before each other and God.

So, throw away your toga and come to heaven! Everyone is in the nude! Not only will we be transparent before our creator, we'll be transparent before each other. And this is not only our bodies, but our souls and spirits too! I think most of us would rather be naked in front of a bunch of people rather than to have all our thoughts in those cartoon bubbles people could see over our heads. That's one reason I think this judgment thing at the end of the world is so scary. Every hidden thing will be uncovered... But here's the hinge that the door hangs on: All the hidden things can be laid bare before God now and covered for eternity. We can wear the mind of Christ and be blameless in his site and not so embarrassed about everything hanging out there in front of our friends, family, acquaitences and strangers. I think we're going back to God's original intention in nude parties, vegetarian dishes (hope there is a steak tasting one), and meaningful work like... naming animals. Oh... and don't forget the worship.

Are you prepared for this event? Why not get ready now?