Jamie

a Biblical thought...
This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. (John 3:16-17)

a Book thought...
Prayer is the Church preparing itself to receive the Kingdom and to live in the light of its dawning. Prayer is the Church opening itself to the future. (p114 Needham)
a Dave thought...
Years ago I began playing at a yearly Christmas celebration at Burwood Special School where I met an amazing boy. Jamie is partially blind and physically handicapped but loves music, especially the brass instruments. Ever since that first interchange I have come across Jamie on numerous occasions at shopping centres and other caroling events. He will stay and listen sometimes up to an hour and request Jingle Bells & Silent Night with incredible enthusiasm.
The other day while walking through Forest Hill Chase, as I was wearing my uniform I ran into Aaron, the father who recognized me as the carolling Salvo, we had a few words as he was keen to hear the band again. So I gave him my card and let him know he was welcome any Thursday night at 8pm to come and listen to the Box Hill Band.
Well last night I was on my way to band rehearsal when I received a phone call. It was Aaron wondering if he could still come along with his son to listen to the band, I said he was most welcome and sure enough he arrived fifteen minutes later and enjoyed it very much. I’m not sure whether they will come along again but I do know that music is powerful and regardless of our outward appearances it has an amazing impact on our souls. Although Jamie was a little noisy at times it was great to have him at rehearsal and his presence certainly made my night.

Just a thought.

2 or 3

a Biblical thought...
During the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him. (John 2:23)

a Book thought...
When structures obstruct movement toward God's future in Christ, when they constrict openness to the coming, transforming Kingdom, they are ready to be changed for the sake of the gospel. (p110 Needham)

a Dave thought...
Last night was our first cell group for the year, and as I led a group of young adults through Psalm 40 (& yes we did listen to U2) I realised how much I have missed just opening the word in this way. I am one who likes discussion and hearing other viewpoints and am very comfortable when several in the same room have differing opinions.
I often wonder who invented the personal devotions. As surely not all had their own copies of scripture in the first century so there is no way everyone could be isolated to hear God's word, it had to be shared in groups. Maybe we would all have a more accurate view of scripture if it was opened more in groups and could be discussed rather than just read in isolation.

Just a thought.

Larry Norman (1947-2008)

a Biblical thought...
Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. (John 1:3-4)

a Book thought...
Productivity distrusts the future, and therefore attempts to force it. Fruitfulness trusts the future, invests in it, lives by it and waits patiently for it. (p108 Needham)

a Dave thought...
I recently caught up with the news that “the father of Christian rock” Larry Norman passed away on Sunday. (larrynorman.com) I still remember going to an event in January 1987 titled JAM (Jesus & Music) at the Myer Music Bowl and hearing Larry live singing “I wish we’d all been ready” and being so inspired by this guy. After he performed I got to have a chat with him, he was an amazing man who had helped Christian music break into the secular market and had fun singing about Jesus. He’d taken a lot of hits along the way as he pioneered rock’n’roll music in the church. Here are his last words…

I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God's hand reaching down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home.

My brother Charles is right, I won't be here much longer. I can't do anything about it. My heart is too weak. I want to say goodbye to everyone. In the past you have generously supported me with prayer and finance and we will probably still need financial help.

My plan is to be buried in a simple pine box with some flowers inside. But still it will be costly because of funeral arrangement, transportation to the gravesite, entombment, coordination, legal papers etc. However money is not really what I need, I want to say I love you.

I'd like to push back the darkness with my bravest effort. There will be a funeral posted here on the website, in case some of you want to attend. We are not sure of the date when I will die. Goodbye, farewell, we will meet again.

Goodbye, farewell, we'll meet againSomewhere beyond the sky.I pray that you will stay with GodGoodbye, my friends, goodbye.

Larry

Just a thought.

Open-airs

a Biblical thought...
As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. They still couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true. (Luke 24:41)

a Book thought...
The majority of early Salvationists were also socially insignificant people. It was intended that they should be. The movement was for the poor. (p101 Needham)
a Dave thought...
One of the values that I believe we as Salvos need to emphasise once again is getting out of our churches and going to the people. It is no coincidence in my mind that when we stopped doing open-airs over the last 10 to 20 years has also been the era that we have declined. I'm not saying lets necessarily bring back the open-airs but at least we need to make an effort every week to get into the community and share Jesus with people. Instead of replacing this outreach activity it seems we just sleep in more.
I understand amps don't come with wheels and generators but unless we think of creative ways to get out of the church and share the gospel we will continue to decline.

Just a thought.

The wages of spin

a Biblical thought...
When the captain there saw what happened, he honored God: "This man was innocent! A good man, and innocent!" (Luke 23:27)

a Book thought...
In seeing and responding to the vision of Christ as the hope for the whosoever, the Church is allowing itself to be moulded by God's future. (p98 Needham)
Dave thought...
In yesterday's Age it was great to see our communication director offer some wise words on the gambling debate...

Major Brad Halse, Salvation Army communications director and a member of the Interchurch Gambling Taskforce, says it is time for both the State Government and the Opposition "to imagine a Victoria without poker machines". He says the Government should show political courage by moving the debate beyond issues about ATMs and community support funds, and instead ask whether we need poker machines at all.
"We think a Victorian community would be open to understanding a Victorian government who said 'let's work at ways of phasing these out, let's replace this tax with other means'," he says. "We're not trying to be simplistic or naive, but the debate is only ever about how do we manage the problem."

The article began with the tricky ethical question: adults should be able to decide how they spend their money and accept responsibility for their actions. But governments have some responsibility for saving their constituents from harm.

At what stage does the government need to step in? When it begins to destroy numerous families, and results in more crime I would suggest. Anyway good to here the WA gaming minister has managed to keep pokies out of her local communities, she says "we've also observed from afar the destructive effect of community-based gaming machines in other Australian jurisdictions". So when you have a gambling minister who won't support pokies surely they must be destroying our society.

Just a thought.

The Real Deal

a Biblical thought...
"You've no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you before I enter my time of suffering. It's the last one I'll eat until we all eat it together in the kingdom of God." (Luke 22:15-16)

a Book thought...
There is no way the Church of the future can be timid. The future calls for courage. (p95 Needham)
a Dave thought...
This morning at our 11am service at Box Hill the Reverend Barry Sutton preached. He began with the statement "it is great to be with the Salvos this morning you people are the real deal, there are no cardboard cut-outs here!"
Well it is great to be part of an organisation that everyone respects so much, but sometimes I think it wouldn't be bad to send a cardboard cut-out on Sunday morning and be elsewhere in the community. You see so many of us are so comfortable attending every week to the same service at the same time in the same building that it would be good like Rudd to get out where the people are and be Jesus in our local surrounds.

Just a thought.

Where it all began

a Biblical thought...
"The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford—she gave her all!" (Luke 21:3-4)

a Book thought...
The true Church accepts the challenge of breaking out of old confining moulds which do not allow the gospel to do its work. (p94 Needham)
a Dave thought...
Yesterday I got to spend the day in Adelaide with DYS Rowan Castle & his youth team. It was great to hear stories of the work going on in ACH, Noarlunga, Ingle Farm & Arndale. Although like the rest of the territory our youth numbers have dropped over the last 10 years the future is starting to look good. We now have the remnant left, those workers and youth really committed to what we are about as a movement. We are starting to dream, plan & innovate once again and this is how we can be part of Gods plan for this country.

The Salvos began in Adelaide 5th September 1880 under a gum tree and it only took two men Gore & Saunders to pull it off. They were both dedicated to the cause and would do anything it took to spread the gospel across this country, so lets get going once again. All we need is just 2 people who are totally sold out to God. Any takers?

Just a thought.

Firsts

a Biblical thought...
Marriage is a major preoccupation here, but not there. Those who are included in the resurrection of the dead will no longer be concerned with marriage nor, of course, with death. They will have better things to think about, if you can believe it. All ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God. (Luke 20:34-35)

a Book thought...
The Church prays and lives as a colony of hope that is committed to the coming future in Christ. (p92 Needham)
a Dave thought...
My 5 year old son Noah was so looking forward to his first ever game of basketball yesterday afternoon. As he has been talking about being in a team for the last 6 months I too was pretty anxious that it would all work out well. When I got home I was surprised to find him in tears and saying he doesn’t want to go to the stadium, but rather stay in the comfort of our lounge room. Well we got him into the car and down to the courts, I registered him for terms 1 & 2 and proceeded down to court 3. It was not long till all the boys and girls arrived and Noah true to his word would not join in and sat on the side of the court. Kylie & I did our best to persuade him and after many attempts at bribes as well as rational persuasive techniques amidst tears he stepped on to the court for the last 5 minutes.
You see he was so nervous about this new experience that it all just got too much for him. In the end it worked out well he is now a member of the Kangas and his next game is 4.10pm Thursday.
Doing something for the first time is hard no matter what age we are and as a Church we need to continually try new methods or we will be no longer. It sounds easy but when it gets to the crunch, doing something for the first time is hard work and often leads to tears.

Just a thought.

A week night Commissiong

a Biblical thought...
'That's what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag. (Luke 19:26)

a Book thought...
It is no accident that in the days of the Army's greatest missionary vitality, the movement was known by all as a joyous group with infectious enthusiasm. (p90 Needham)
a Dave thought...
Last night was a historical occasion as 4 more lieutenants were commissioned to the rank of captain into the Heralds of the Good News session. Greg & Julie Howard, currently serving in Darwin as well as Gen Peterson & Cate Shanks who are at Reservoir all signed the Officers Covenant and received their international certificate of officership. As we all crammed into the small hall at Thornbury it was a reminder that God doesn't really mind what night of the week or how big the occassion is when someone commits to full time service. There was no doubt God was the focus last night and His presence was very real. It was also noted that our session is obviously healthy, demonstrated by the fact that we would be the first session ever to grow after our initial commissiong.

Just a thought.

Preach or teach?

a Biblical thought...
"This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face, but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." (Luke 18:14)

a Book thought...

The Church must keep alive the ministry of encouragement or it will have no basis for its mission. (p85 Needham)
a Dave thought...
While at the recent Youth Congress in Hamilton, NZ one of the 15 year old girls from our territory had an interesting question. "Why do all the preachers have to yell on stage?" I tried to explain how it was part of the preachers way of communicating and it was not meant to scare her or necessarily be intrusive but it it was more a case of an excited communicator. The girl went on to suggest it wasn't neccesary and she found it offensive and manipulating.

I often wonder why we expect everyone to yell when they are on stage, I've done numerous preaching courses over the years and my feedback is always along the line that I don't get excited enough or I don't lift my voice enough. I say a preacher yells it but a teacher yells it. So I personally can often do without changing who I am and turning into the the yelling preacher but I do long to be a teacher who can help others learn something and teach God's word clearly and without emotional manipulation.

Anyway I heard about this guy 2000 years ago who was just a teacher and he just went around telling stories and he seemed to do okay so how about we just stick to that.

Just a thought.

Order 614

a Biblical thought...
"Be alert. If you see your friend going wrong, correct him. If he responds, forgive him. Even if it's personal against you and repeated seven times through the day, and seven times he says, 'I'm sorry, I won't do it again,' forgive him." (Luke 17:3-4)

a Book thought...
The church is a community of value where Christian missioners are encouraged by one another. (p79 Needham)

a Dave thought...
It was great to visit Melbourne 614 again on Sunday. The service had everything from a dedication to a preach from Commissioner Moretz (USE TC). The induction of the 16 order students for 2009 was also inspiring as they each said a few words on what they hope to achieve as they start this new venture.
The order is a 12 month gap program that is 24/7 as they make themselves available to serve the urban poor and homeless. It is also worth mentioning that 4 of the students have a Salvo background which has often not always been the case with the order.
So pray for these young guys as they serve, see new situations, experience fresh ministries but most of all as they grow amazingly in 2009.

Just a thought.

"the best sex you'll ever have"

a Biblical thought...
No worker can serve two bosses: He'll either hate the first and love the second or adore the first and despise the second. You can't serve both God and the Bank. (Luke 16:13)

a Book thought...
Mission without fellowship dies of spiritual starvation. (p76 Needham)

a Dave thought...
A FLYER promising "the best sex you'll ever have" wouldn't normally lead straight to church, but that's the invitation 25,000 households around Eltham and Montmorency received last week.
Last night Riverside Church launched a four-week series on sex, marriage, adultery and pornography.
The flyer features two pairs of feet — belonging to Riverside pastor Andrew Newbold and his wife Megan — protruding from under the sheets. It says sex is supposed to be fun, so why does it feel like everyone else is having all the fun? It's not supposed to leave you feeling guilty, frustrated or empty.
"Lots of people have asked, 'why would the church want to talk about sex in the first place?' That's a ridiculous question because everyone else is talking about it, and it's something God created," Mr Newbold says.
"At Riverside we deal mostly with young adults, who have been more exposed to sexuality than any previous generation, but that doesn't mean they are handling it well. There's a lot of confusion out there."
He rattles off statistics: people are having sex younger, with an average age of 15.8 years at first encounter, and relationships are getting shorter, at an average of three months. The largest consumers of internet pornography are children aged 12 to 17.

I'd like to take my hat off to Andrew and Megan firstly for addresing this topic which is a huge issue with young adults and secondly for clever advertising. This is what the Salvos would do in their prime use statements that would catch your attention and advertise to the massess in an effort to get more people to hear about Jesus.

I fell sex and relationships is a topic we are not good at tackling in our churches but certainly one that we should address regularly. We also have the use of internet pornography growing at an alarming rate in this country and as 12 to 17 year old are the biggest users, we also need to discuss and teach how to live in a world with so many temptations and distractions. If we want our teaching to have relevance to our society then surely this is a good topic to address.

Just a thought.

Poker Families

a Biblical thought...
The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." (Luke 15:2)

a Book thought...
The Salvation Army's strength has been the ability to respond quickly to missionary challenges. (p74 Needham)
a Dave thought...
Lawyers say the Government must act urgently to address the gambling crisis which saw Victorians lose $2.5 billion last year.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last week expressed concern that gambling tax contributed more than $5 billion to the states' and territories' annual revenue.
The State Government is set to announce new 20-year poker machine licences within weeks — a once-in-a-generation chance to reduce the number and accessibility of gaming machines, according to Opposition gaming spokesman Michael O'Brien.
He said the State Government was ignoring "the social cost and the economic cost through the criminal justice system, through the health system, through the social welfare system that gambling addiction creates".
His views are backed by senior lawyers. Bernie Balmer, who represented Kate Jamieson, a former Bendigo Bank loans officer and a mother of two who stole $3.5 million to feed her gambling addiction and is now in jail, says poker machines are white-anting ordinary families.
The addiction to poker machines in Victoria continues to cost so many families so much more than just money. It is now taking lawyers and politicians to say we must reduce the number of gaming licences, surely we as a Salvation Army must be on the front line here speaking up for those families who continue to take the real hits from this billion dollar industry. So if not us - who? If not now - when?

Just a thought.

Ignite

a Biblical thought...
If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." (Luke 14:11)

a Book thought...
The battlefield is no place to squabble over differences in theology. (p72 Needham)

a Dave thought...
Last night I preached at Cranbourne at their weekly IGNITE youth service . It was a great night as they have a fabulous team down there with amazing tech support, highly skilled worship band and good number of youth. It was impressive to see the effort they put into making their celebration of God relevant for teenagers in their community. It certainly agrees with my thinking that we need to spend more time and effort communicating God than just playing games. I left the youth there with a challenge shared with me many years ago to have 3 people close to you that you continually pray for and share with in the hope they too will find God one day. I'm sure IGNITE will continue to fire up and grow as God is certainly present in the Cranbourne Salvo youth.

Just a thought.

Reversing decisions

a Biblical thought...
Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires your total attention. (Luke 13:23)

a Book thought...
Soldiers cannot only belong; they are either fighting or maintaining readiness for battle-otherwise, they are not really soldiers. (p55 Needham)
a Dave thought...
PUBLIC Transport Minister Lynne Kosky will today bow to anger from cyclists and reverse a controversial plan to ban bikes on trains during rush hours. Chris Star, who helped form lobby group Bin the Bike Ban last month, said she was relieved the ban had been dropped.
"It created a lot of anger because we saw it as a denial of service. And it was done at such short notice and without consultation," she said.

As I have a few friends in my cycling group who were impacted by the ban I have been watching this issue with interest over the last few months. It seemed so against a society that wants to decrease cars, and encourage environmentally friendly transport. Well common sense has prevailed and some are now admitting it was done at such short notice and without consultation.

It is often the same in our churches, or organisation when we rush into decisions or plans and a few months later we know the wrong decision was made, but it is having the courage to reverse a decision and admit we were wrong that shows a truly humble leader. So well done Lynne - you have my respect.

Just a thought.

A small world

a Biblical thought...
Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more. (Luke 12:22-24)

a Book thought...
Holy people, full of love, will no longer live for themselves. Their lives and energies will be spent lifting others up, serving others, getting others saved, praying for others, blessing others. (p65 Munn)

a Dave thought...
Last night in Melbourne was supposed to be the premiere of a new series titled the Underbelly showing the real stories of characters from Melbournes underworld. however due to a supreme court injunction it was not to be shown in Melbourne but could be in any other state. As the world is so small these days in terms of technology anyone who really wanted to see this show could download it from the internet. About 15 minutes after the broadcast finished in the eastern states, the first pirated version was available for download from a Netherlands-based website.

I'm not sure if everyone in society quite understands the file sharing era we live in. It happens time and time again where we try and keep information or media from people but due the world wide web they will ascertain it anyway. So once information is available maybe we are best to let people know directly as they will source it anyway I'm sure.

Just a thought.

Sorry

a Biblical thought...
Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. (Luke 11:10)

a Book thought...
If He commands you to do something, then He'll back it up. Truth to know: What God commands, God enables. (p28 Court)

a Dave thought...
Australia has formally apologised to the stolen generations with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd reading a speech in Federal Parliament this morning.
The speech was read at 9am to the minute, as the first action of the second sitting day of the 42nd Parliament of Australia.
Both Mr Rudd and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin received a standing ovation as they entered the Great Hall before the Prime Minister delivered the speech.
The 361-word speech was completed by 9.03am and was watched by hundreds of parliamentarians, former prime ministers and representatives of the Indigenous community.

As I was home ill once again I was fortunate to see this live. Kevin Rudd was true to his pre-election promises and apologised to the stolen generations. It was really moving to watch this, to see members of the aboriginal community wipe tears from their faces and then the standing ovation at the end also spoke volumes to me. But perhaps what got my attention the most was the fact that the Prime Minister and opposition leader agreeing and shaking hands on issues that matter most.

Just a thought.

Family

a Biblical thought...
The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her." (Luke 10:41-42)

a Book thought... a Holy Revolution (Court & Munn)
I completely reject the notion that God is trying to cramp our styles by not allowing us to do anything we enjoy. He tells us not to sin, because He knows what is best for us. (p21 Munn)

a Dave thought...
The last 24 hours there has ben quite a bit of sickness in our house, with both boys on antibiotics, there has been bouts of diarrhoea, and vomitting from Noah. In a strange sort of way this is when a family is at its best, as we all take different roles to compensate and look after each other. When all is going well we don't seem to need each other as much as we tend to just do our own thing.

Just a thought.

Future

a Biblical thought...
"Don't load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns—get a modest place and be content there until you leave. If you're not welcomed, leave town. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on." (Luke 9:3-5)

a Book thought...
An inflexible and immobile Church is no Church at all; it is a religious relic. (p55 Needham)
a Dave thought...
I discovered some disturbing information last week. According to the National Church Life Survey 46% of Salvation Army attenders on any given Sunday across the whole territory are 65+ in age. As we are and an aging movement in an aging nation it is not a complete suprise but as Australia's population has 23% of its people 65 and over we are not a true reflection of our society.

As my current appointment is to help create new energy and momentum for the 13-30 year olds we are certainly facing a challenging time. We seem to provide our best programs and worship services for the seniors, and they certainly have their place, but how do we ensure we have a future? It is certainly not a case of just running more attractional programs for the departed age groups, but rather we must improve our self esteem as a movement and be proud of God's idea for us to be a missional church movement who is radical, and innovative, not tired and old. We must no longer sit idly by but we need to be about reaching out beyond our own congregations to a hurting world. It seems to me that the seniors of our movement understand why we exist more than the rest of us, maybe because we had it right 50 years ago and they live to tell the story.

Just a thought.

Justice Creed

a Biblical thought...
We're not keeping secrets; we're telling them. We're not hiding things; we're bringing everything out into the open. So be careful that you don't become misers of what you hear. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes. (Luke 8:17-18)

a Book thought...
The Church in the New Testament is militant in its posture. Never in a position of rest or final triumph, it is always either doing battle or preparing for battle. (p54 Needham)

a Dave thought...
Justice Creed by Brian McLaren
We believe that the living God is just
And that the true and living God loves justice.
God delights in just laws and rejoices in just people.
God sides with those who are oppressed by injustice,
And stands against oppressors.
God is grieved by unjust people and the unjust systems they create and sustain.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, and
God's kingdom belongs to those willing to be persecuted for the sake of justice.
To God, justice is a weighty thing which can never be ignored.

We believe that Jesus, the Liberating King, came to free humanity from injustice
And to display the justice of God,
In word and deed, in life, death, and resurrection.
The justice which God desires, Jesus taught, must surpass that of the hypocrites,
For the justice of God is a compassionate justice,
Rich in mercy and abounding in love
For the last, the least, the lost, and the outcast.
On his cross, Jesus drew the injustice of humanity into the light,
And there the heartless injustice of human empire met
The reconciling justice of the kingdom of God.
The resurrection of Jesus proclaims that the true justice of God,
Naked, vulnerable, and scarred by abuse, is stronger
Than the violent injustice of humanity, armed with weapons, conceit,deceit, and lies.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is here, now,
Convicting the world of sin and justice,
Warning that God's judgment will come on all that is unjust.
We believe that the Kingdom of God is justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Empowered by the Spirit, then, we seek first God's kingdom and God's justice,
For the world as it is has not yet become the world as God desires it to be.
And so we live, and work, and pray,
Until justice rolls down like water,
And flows strong and free like a never-failing stream.
For we believe that the living God is just
And that the true and living God loves justice.
Amen.

Just a thought.

A workplace essential

a Biblical thought...
They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, "God is back, looking to the needs of his people!" The news of Jesus spread all through the country. (Luke 7:16-17)

a Book thought...
What is so important is that the Church keeps moving. From first to last, the Church is in pilgrimage. Its calling is in danger when it stops. But when it moves, there is hope that the way will be found. (p51 Needham)
a Dave thought...
I was listening to the radio this morning and heard an interview with a sports pschycologist who is now at the top of her field in Australia. As the interviewers questioned her about her development and progress it was quite evident this lady was incredibly focused and driven. When they asked her what the secret was to make it to the top of her field, she said "networking is the most important thing in life, it will get you to associate with those you are otherwise unable to access and learn from others more than anyone else". She went on to say there is nothing more important in your working life than the ability to network. Although this is a big statement I must also agree I value networking incredibly, it has certainly widened my world, my experieneces, my knowledge and given me opportunities I never dreamed possible.

Just a thought.

Allowances

a Biblical thought...
There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular. (Luke 6:26)

a Book thought...
Commissioning for ministry implies that there is a task to be done, progress to be made, a battle to be fought. It suits the pilgrim Church, which places little stock in the status quo and great stock in forward movement under its Lord’s leadership. (p49 Needham)
a Dave thought...
Over 5 years ago I was on staff at our church and felt that it was important that I was paid a reasonable salary so I could keep up with our mortgage and desired standard of living. After this time I have since been on an officers allowance so have experienced both ends of salary structures in our movement. While working for the church many asked or wondered how much I was getting paid and questioned how many hours I was doing and so on. Then the fact that I was receiving more than the CO, who had far more responsibility and required greater skills, did not sit quite right with me either.
I believe it is a biblical model where we do not work just for a certain salary or pay rise but we are available 24/7 to do God’s work and we all get the same allowance to carry out that calling. I love also that as we carry out different appointments there is no difference in our allowances. Surely that helps with those that are wondering how much we are getting paid to carry out different jobs. I am also a fan of making ministry staff Lieutenants wherever possible as again it takes out the whole pay and hours dilemma that continue to raise questions in our congregations. So although it has taken me time to appreciate our system I love the fact that the Commissioner and myself get the same allowance, and if you are interested anyone else who signs up for officership is also able to join us on the very top pay scale from day one.

Just a thought.

"No place for singles"

a Biblical thought...
"No one cuts up a fine silk scarf to patch old work clothes; you want fabrics that match. And you don't put wine in old, cracked bottles; you get strong, clean bottles for your fresh vintage wine. And no one who has ever tasted fine aged wine prefers unaged wine." (Luke 5:36-39)

a Book thought...
In order to fulfill its calling as God's pilgrim people, the Church must courageously maintain flexibility in matters traditional. (p44 Needham)
a Dave thought...
The other day I was in a conversation with a former colleague of mine from my days at Tabor bible college. After the usual banter we got onto the topic of church, in which she let me know that she no longer attends. Without me having to even prod any further she said, "the church is no place for singles". These six words have been stuck in my mind the last week, and continue to disturb me. You see this is a conversation I had with many while I was a youth & young adults pastor and although we try and come up with answers there seems to be so much truth in this statement. I've observed that if a twenty-something hasn't started dating someone in church or has a position of leadership they often say good bye to attending a place of worship.
It seems to me in a world that is increasingliy becoming more singular, with now 1 in 4 households being sole occupied in Australia we are unable to adjust with societal changes until often it is too late.
The kingdom of God is a place for all cultures, all ages, all genders and both marrieds and singles alike, but until we are more reflective of the kingdom we will continue be helping some out the door. Maybe it is time not just to pray Your Kingdom Come but lets actually live it out in our churches.

Just a thought.

Shanaka Fernando

a Biblical thought...
God's Spirit is on me; he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, "This is God's year to act!" (Luke 4:19-20)

a Book thought...
Only the disciplined can direct their efforts and maximise their strength sufficiently to overcome obstacles, endure hardship and do risky things that pilgrims must. (p41 Needham)

a Dave thought...
SEVEN years after opening his first venture, Shanaka Fernando — the man behind the not-for-profit restaurant Lentil as Anything — has gone one step further.
He has taken his idea of healthy, no-price food to school, opening an off-shoot at Collingwood College's school canteen.
Like its St Kilda parent, the restaurant asks students to pay what they think the meals are worth.
Barely a week after opening in the school's old canteen area, prices were still a question for many of the 485 prep to year 12 students.
Some checked with their peers before dropping money into one of the buckets, while others watched what those ahead were doing. Still unable to break the habit, many asked for prices before ordering.
But Mr Fernando, named a Local Hero in the Australia Day awards last year for his non-profit, socially responsible restaurants, admits that he, too, is on a learning curve, adapting a menu to children's tastes.
"It's been an education process on both sides of the counter," he said. "Taste is the priority because if you get that right, then the students won't even realise they are eating healthy food. But last week I met my first kid who didn't like mangoes."
The food varies daily, and reflects the school's multicultural population — about a third of its students speak English as a second language. This week alone the menu includes buriyani rice, Japanese pancakes, Singapore noodles and Moroccan hot pot. Like the five other outlets, the kitchen is staffed by refugees from such places as Nepal and Sudan.
Students can buy weekly drink or meal vouchers, but so far paying on the spot has proved most popular, as students want to be seen to be contributing.
They are also pulling their weight by clearing dirty plates from tables. Some, like year 8 student Jeremiah Vandan, 13, even volunteer to serve drinks at lunchtime.
"It makes you feel very socially involved and it's just a nice feeling to be helping," he said between dishing out mango lassies, iced chocolates and glasses of yoghurt drizzled with honey.
Collingwood College assistant principal Stanley Fernando said that with almost no packaging on the food sold, this year would see a dramatic reduction in playground litter.
But he expected the benefits of the new canteen would extend into the classroom as well, with students no longer sluggish after a deep-fried lunch or overactive due to an artificial sugar rush.
"One would hope that after a nutritious meal the kids would be much more alert and ready for their afternoon classes," he said.

I have been following Shanaka (pictured in the middle) for the last 7 years, and the man continues to impress me. Why? Because he has the courage to set up a venture in a contrasting way to the rest of society and when he gets criticised or the doubters come he does it his way anyway. In support of this guy let's all go out to "Lentil as Anything" for dinner tonight and pay him well.

Just a thought.

Generations of Serving

a Biblical thought...
"I'm baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned." (Luke 3:16-17)

a Book thought...
God's people are those who risk pilgrimage because it is the only way for them to see what God wants them to see and become what God wants them to become. (p40 Needham)

a Dave thought...
Yesterday I was in a lunch meeting when a couple of gentlemen came up for a chat. Recognising my uniform they wanted to let me know all about the Salvos and one of the men even said that his father thought we were ''the best people in the world!'' Well I must admit to being quite proud and while that man departed the second gentleman proceeded to tell us some jokes - all clean, ''that we may be able to use in our sermons.'' He had consumed a few too many beverages, but we found at he is actually a doctor who has worked with aborignal communities for the last 3 years and a very strong Catholic who is an advocate for "Right to Life".
It reminded me once again how well the generations before me have served the community so well that people like myself who travel around continue to receive the accolades. Like Generation Y who many perceive get everything on a gloden platter but have never had to work for it, the same can be said of us younger Salvos. The big question is now we have earned the respect and favour of the country how do we let them know about Jesus as well as just being a group of nice people you can chat with over lunch.

Just a thought.

It's Just not Cricket

a Biblical thought...
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told! (Luke 2 :19-20)

a Book thought...
The people who are willing to adopt this radical, militant pattern of life are those who are open to change, those who are willing to leave the familiar behind, those who are willing to sacrifice security for participation in God's redemptive, but painful, mission in the world. (p37 Needham)

a Dave thought...
To continue my thoughts from yesterday The Salvation Army is a very similar age to cricket 1878 and 1877 respectively. So can we learn anything from the promoters of this game? You see they have managed to keep the purest form of the sport, the 5 day test match around and then when the sport was getting tired someone came up with the one day concept, and then the latest version Twenty20.

It seems as society gets more rushed and so relient on being entertained they have had to bow to the pressure and reinvent themselves to keep the game alive for the future.
Should we be continually reinventing ourselves to match the culture we exist in today, or should we listen to God and not budge from our original calling? Even in our churches it seems for many, except for the purests, unless that get entertained in a new funky format they have somewhere else they can go which does it better. Of course we don't exist for entertainment, but nor did cricket to begin with but it seems if you want to atrract the masses you have to let go of your original purpose.

Just a thought.

Constant change

a Biblical thought...
I'm bursting with God-news; I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened— I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! (Luke 1 :46)

a Book thought...
A church out of touch with the world is a church out of touch with God, for the call of God to go into the world is unmistakable. (p36 Needham)

a Dave thought...
On Friday night I was very brave taking my two sons and wife to the Twenty20 cricket at the MCG. Although the game was not great the overall spectacle was sensational. When this new form of cricket was proposed a few years agao I was somewhat sceptical but now I have two very young boys and less time the whole package works great for me.
It is interesting how the game of cricket keeps reinventing itself. As it was established in 1877 but could not stick with just one format of the game, the 5 day test match, it had to bring in the one day game in the 70's, and now this latest version.
Well I'm sure the 84,000 there on Friday enjoyed it and it is a reminder that constant change is here to stay.

Just a thought.

Bible Visualisation

a Biblical thought...
Then the Master Jesus, after briefing them, was taken up to heaven, and he sat down beside God in the place of honor. And the disciples went everywhere preaching, the Master working right with them, validating the Message with indisputable evidence. (Mark 16:19-20)

a Book thought...
Where there is genuine, unselfish caring for one another in the fellowship, there is constant overflow into the world in mission. (p34 Needham)

a Dave thought... from Chris Harrison
This project started after receiving an email from Christoph Römhild. He had compiled a list of cross-references found in the Bible and was looking for advice on how to visualize these connections. After several email exchanges and a copy of Christoph's data, I was able to produce the arc diagram below. Due to the extremely high number of cross-references, this lands more on the aesthetic side of the information visualization spectrum. Different colors are used for various arc lengths, creating a rainbow like effect. The bar graph running along the bottom shows every chapter in the Bible and their respective lengths (in verses). Books alternate in color between white and light gray.

I personally am one that loves visuals and diagrams to help us retain information. This picture above is fascinating as it shows how the bible is an amazing book that is incredibly linked and constructed even though there are so many authors involved. Maybe there was someone behind it all.

Just a thought.

Welcoming Leo

a Biblical thought...
But Jesus, with a loud cry, gave his last breath. At that moment the Temple curtain ripped right down the middle. When the Roman captain standing guard in front of him saw that he had quit breathing, he said, "This has to be the Son of God!" (Mark 15:37-39)

a Book thought...
Leaders feared that the large number of unschooled and simple converts would misunderstand the spiritual meaning of the sacraments and come to find security in their mere observance. (p24 Needham)
a Dave thought...
On Wednesday my eldest son Noah returned to school, as he is only 5 our whole family made the effort to go. We were all a little nervous as we packed the car and made the drive as there were new classmates and parents to meet and a different classroom to find. But after we parked and walked around the corner we were welcomed by Leo our crossing man. "Good morning Kylie, David & Noah" he said with enthusiasm, as he stopped the traffic and ushered us across the road.

Well it was amazing how that short interaction was so comforting and kick started a positive return. You see the power of a name and and a relationship is what we all long for in life. As the song from "Cheers" says I want to go where people know my name. So thanks God for Leo, he is a wonderful man.

Just a thought.