a Biblical thought...
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. (Ezekiel 36:25-27)
a Book thought...
McDonough and his colleague Michael Braungart maintain that the concept of eco-efficiency is flawed because it is a problem centred approach involving lessening undesirable outcomes by
minimising pollution and waste. As they said, ‘being less bad is no good’. Eco-effectiveness, on the other hand, is a mission-directed approach that involves designing a world where these problems do not exist at all because they have been designed out. Eco-effectiveness would abolish, not minimise waste. (p322)
a Dave thought...
Numerous corps have now started their 6 week Salvos Out There campaign and I've heard some great stories already of how God is using this tool to help us better understand who we are today. If you want to get involved you can by visiting http://www.salvosoutthere.com/ and signing up for the free SMS and email. There is also a great initiative called Salvo Skillbase which is encouraging all of us Salvos to enlist our skills such as teaching, admin, plumbing etc. The idea behind this is so next time The Salvation Army is asked to help others such as a bushfire crisis, tsunami or even in rebuilding a classroom we have an up to date list of our soldiers across the territory and we can be mobilised into action as required.
“Believing we are a people created by God for His mission in the world, our desire is to re-discover the original principles of The Salvation Army and to live these in relevant and effective ways for today. We embrace now as the time to act and live these principles including, having a heart for the poor; an activist orientation; and being holistic in mission.” – Our Hope and Prayer, “Salvos Out There” Declaration .
Just a thought.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Winter Sleepout
a Biblical thought...
I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh will fall limp. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he brandishes it against Egypt. I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them through the countries. Then they will know that I am the LORD. (Ezekiel 30:25-26)
a Book thought...
A sustainable society is one where all forms of behaviour—production, consumption, development and lifestyles—are sustainable; a society which is able to become prosperous and
equitable and grow, adapt, develop and change; a society which does not significantly violate natural laws and constraints; and which does not reduce opportunities and options for coming
generations and other species. (p277)
a Dave thought...
Last night six of us slept out on the streets as part of homeless persons week - August 2-8. www.salvationarmy.org.au Our instructions were to bring a small backpack which holds your sleeping bag, a train ticket and $5 only in cash. I joined the other five after 11pm in the city at that stage they had already been walking the streets for a few hours and had a bite to eat from the soup van. After I met up with the others we caught the last tram from Collins St out to Glenferrie to get some sleep. It took us another hour to find some cardboard and a safe place to bed down for the night. Our location ended up in the grandstand at Glenferrie Oval where we managed to get a few hours sleep. It was cold, hard and uncomfortable. We awoke with the sound of the first train at 5am and then went to Maccas for breakfast. It was certainly an interesting experience and just gave us a small taste of what thousands face every night across the country. You may want to try it yourself sometime.
Just a thought.
I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh will fall limp. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he brandishes it against Egypt. I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them through the countries. Then they will know that I am the LORD. (Ezekiel 30:25-26)
a Book thought...
A sustainable society is one where all forms of behaviour—production, consumption, development and lifestyles—are sustainable; a society which is able to become prosperous and
equitable and grow, adapt, develop and change; a society which does not significantly violate natural laws and constraints; and which does not reduce opportunities and options for coming
generations and other species. (p277)
a Dave thought...Last night six of us slept out on the streets as part of homeless persons week - August 2-8. www.salvationarmy.org.au Our instructions were to bring a small backpack which holds your sleeping bag, a train ticket and $5 only in cash. I joined the other five after 11pm in the city at that stage they had already been walking the streets for a few hours and had a bite to eat from the soup van. After I met up with the others we caught the last tram from Collins St out to Glenferrie to get some sleep. It took us another hour to find some cardboard and a safe place to bed down for the night. Our location ended up in the grandstand at Glenferrie Oval where we managed to get a few hours sleep. It was cold, hard and uncomfortable. We awoke with the sound of the first train at 5am and then went to Maccas for breakfast. It was certainly an interesting experience and just gave us a small taste of what thousands face every night across the country. You may want to try it yourself sometime.
Just a thought.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Momentum
a Biblical thought...
At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD. (Ezekiel 24:27)
a Book thought...
In an interdependent planet, there should be no free lunch, no hand-outs, just ‘help-outs’ such as microcredit. Hand-outs can engender dependency. (p264)
a Dave thought...
Momentum is something I see come and go in our movement but and it obviously depends on leadership. Some corps are doing amazing while others struggle and then years later the opposite maybe occurring. Our best officers and leaders somehow get momentum happening and when they do health and growth are often automatic. Here are John Maxwell's 10 Momentum breakers & makers...
At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD. (Ezekiel 24:27)
a Book thought...
In an interdependent planet, there should be no free lunch, no hand-outs, just ‘help-outs’ such as microcredit. Hand-outs can engender dependency. (p264)
a Dave thought...Momentum is something I see come and go in our movement but and it obviously depends on leadership. Some corps are doing amazing while others struggle and then years later the opposite maybe occurring. Our best officers and leaders somehow get momentum happening and when they do health and growth are often automatic. Here are John Maxwell's 10 Momentum breakers & makers...
Momentum breaker - double-mindedness
Momentum maker - focus
Momentum breaker - the past
Momentum maker - the future
Momentum breaker - individualism
Momentum maker - teamwork
Momentum breaker - critical attitude
Momentum maker - constructive attitude
Momentum breaker - tradition
Momentum maker - creativity
Momentum breaker - apathy
Momentum breaker - apathy
Momentum maker - passion
Momentum breaker - dishonesty
Momentum breaker - dishonesty
Momentum maker - character
Momentum breaker - conformity
Momentum maker - change
Momentum breaker - ingratitude
Momentum maker - gratitude
Momentum breaker - indecision
Momentum maker - action
Leaders have to act with incomplete information. You can never know all of the variables. Momentum and risk go hand in hand. As a leader, if you always play it safe, then you'll never inspire excitement in those you lead.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Responding to need
a Biblical thought...
He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD. (Ezekiel 18:9)
He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD. (Ezekiel 18:9)
a Book thought...
We need many more enterprising people who are job-makers rather than job-takers, and we need our leaders to be enterprising as well. (p221)
a Dave thought...Last night Kylie and I went along for the official opening of The Couch - a centre for international students at 69 Bourke St. The Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and Collingwood footballer Harry O'Brien both spoke and endorsed the centre and declared it open. For the launch 614 blocked off Westwood place and had a street party complete with a live band and food. There was a great vibe around the place with literally hundreds of international students present to celebrate.
Major Brendan Nottle was once again a big part of making this initiative happen. One night he was out on the streets with their van feeding the homeless when he came upon a student from Mauritius. Brendan was overcome by his story as he heard of the deception that was used to attract him to Melbourne to study and the amount of money he had paid along the way including what he thought was going to be great accommodation. Well ten months later thanks to Brendan's networks and drive we now have an amazing centre designed to meet the ever growing needs of international students. Brendan is a great example of someone who is constantly out in the community and when he sees an unmet need does everything possible in God's strength to do do something about it. I thank God for his passion, energy, drive and heart and pray that more of us will take initiative to meet the needs evident in our local communities.
Just a thought.
Monday, August 3, 2009
More Enrollments
a Biblical thought...
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 11:19-20)
a Book thought...
An enterprising individual is able, even anxious, to take responsibility and is an effective
communicator, negotiator, influencer, planner and organiser. An enterprising individual is active, confident, and purposeful, not passive, uncertain and dependent. (p219)
a Dave thought...
Yesterday I was able to be present at St. Kilda chapel for the enrollments of some good friends. Charlie, Star and Lydia have been a part of my life now for a few years and to see them take this step to soldiership in The Salvation Army was encouraging. Charlie and Lydia are both children of Korean Presbyterian ministers while Star on the other hand has a rural Pentecostal background. It seems to be of late that many more young adults in their twenties and even early thirties are signing up as soldiers. When I was enrolled at age 14 I was still working out my faith and beliefs whereas today most new soldiers are a lot older and are not signing such a covenant without a lot of prayer and thought. Over in Perth last night Frizz, a 19 year-old girl (who has an amazing story of conversion) from Morley also became a soldier. These 4 enrollments confirm to me that God is still doing amazing things in peoples lives and also assures me that he continues to call quality people to serve Him through the Salvos.
Just a thought.
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 11:19-20)
a Book thought...
An enterprising individual is able, even anxious, to take responsibility and is an effective
communicator, negotiator, influencer, planner and organiser. An enterprising individual is active, confident, and purposeful, not passive, uncertain and dependent. (p219)
a Dave thought...Yesterday I was able to be present at St. Kilda chapel for the enrollments of some good friends. Charlie, Star and Lydia have been a part of my life now for a few years and to see them take this step to soldiership in The Salvation Army was encouraging. Charlie and Lydia are both children of Korean Presbyterian ministers while Star on the other hand has a rural Pentecostal background. It seems to be of late that many more young adults in their twenties and even early thirties are signing up as soldiers. When I was enrolled at age 14 I was still working out my faith and beliefs whereas today most new soldiers are a lot older and are not signing such a covenant without a lot of prayer and thought. Over in Perth last night Frizz, a 19 year-old girl (who has an amazing story of conversion) from Morley also became a soldier. These 4 enrollments confirm to me that God is still doing amazing things in peoples lives and also assures me that he continues to call quality people to serve Him through the Salvos.
Just a thought.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Future Brass
a Biblical thought...
I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them. Then they will know that I am the LORD. (Ezekiel 7:27)
a Book thought...
I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them. Then they will know that I am the LORD. (Ezekiel 7:27)
a Book thought...
I think it is right and proper that you should devote a portion of your time and energy to the duty of sanctifying yourselves and of spreading a full salvation among your comrades. But nothing can relieve you from the duty of fighting for the salvation of dying souls around you. (p67)
a Dave thought...Over this weekend the Melbourne Staff Band has been hosting their annual Future Brass weekend for Salvo musos aged between 12-25. This is an opportunity for young brass players from around the country to come together for a weekend and be inspired. Not only do they get to play in a great band but they also get to sit under the world class bandmaster Professor David King. I dropped into the rehearsal yesterday and learnt that 15 interstaters had made the effort to be part of the two bands. This afternoon there will be a concert at 3pm at the James Tatoulis Auditorium Methodist Ladies College, Barkers Road, Kew. I'm sure it will be a great event as many gather to champion on the future musicians of our movement. http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/msb/
Just a thought.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Direct Trade Coffee
a Biblical thought...
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
a Book thought...
To retain the blessing you must strive to live in the same spirit of submission, obedience, and consecration to God as that which you entered into its enjoyment. (p65)
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
a Book thought...
To retain the blessing you must strive to live in the same spirit of submission, obedience, and consecration to God as that which you entered into its enjoyment. (p65)
a Dave thought...This week I was in Adelaide an had what I believe was my best coffee ever! I know that is a massive call but I was taken to 91 Osmond Road, Eastwood to a new coffee boutique called BAR NINE. After having my first skinny latte, I had to go back for a second coffee and met Ian the amazing barrista. I soon discovered this was no run of the mill cafe as he educated me about Direct Trade as opposed to Fair Trade. So after several minutes of conversation and purchasing a bag of beans I was converted, I am now a Direct Trade man and if ever you are in Adelaide do yourself a favour and visit BAR NINE. www.barnine.blogspot.com
One distinction between fair trade and direct trade is that direct trade roasters pay a premium price above the fair trade price for high quality specialty coffee. Whereas fair trade certification assures that farmers will receive a minimum price, any margin above the minimum cannot be guaranteed by fair trade organizations because they do not negotiate these margins. Roasters do. Direct trade specialty roasters such as Intelligentsia seek premium coffee quality that brings a high price on the retail market, and they generally pay farmers 25% or more above the guaranteed fair trade minimum, rewarding farmers who live in the right climate and develop the right skills necessary for growing premium coffee.
Just a thought.
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