Conferences

a Biblical thought...
"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." (Matthew 5:48)

a Book thought...
Orbiting is originality, rules-breaking, non-conformity, experimentation, and innovation. In Orbit is where invention happens. (p39 MacKenzie)
a Dave thought...

As we begin ACC today it is also interesting to note what other conferences are happening around the world. Starting tomorrow in San Diego, California is a conference on the nature of community. It is a group of creative people such as architects, builders, planners, artists and visionaries who gather to explore how they can improve the community in which we live. There is no hidden agenda but it is a place to ask questions and explore answers. If you want to know more check out thevineconference.com.

ACC is also a place to ask questions and explore answers but about The Salvation Army and your personal faith journey so if you are in Melbourne why not come along tonight to Box Hill at 7.30pm and here Commissioner James Knaggs.

Just a thought.

Big Band

a Biblical thought...
Word got around the entire Roman province of Syria. People brought anybody with an ailment, whether mental, emotional, or physical. Jesus healed them, one and all. (Matt 4:24)

a Book thought...
To find Orbit around a corporate Hairball is to find a place of balance where you benefit from the physical, intellectual and philosophical resources of the organisation without becoming entombed in the bureaucracy of the institution. (p33 MacKenzie)
a Dave thought...
It was great to have the Box Hill Salvo Big Band play a few numbers yesterday in the service as we wished them all the best for their trip to Korea this week. They along with the MSB are performing at the Korean Centennial Congress in Seoul and I'm sure will be an absolute hit, with their swing style and outstanding musicianship.

It continues to amaze me how when some hear this band for the first time they seem surprised that the Army has such contemporary music groups. I personally think that even though we had the Joy Strings in the 60's and groups such as Solid Rock in the 70's we have never seemed to encourage our new music groups enough. Commissioner Joe Noland shared with me over lunch how they had a evangelical folk song group happening in the 60's that was getting national media coverage in the states but due to the appointments made to those officers involved was ceased. Well it is great that from 1878 brass bands have been used with amazing success and due to their portability and volume have been enormously successful. But it seems over the last couple of generations we have lost the desire to use cutting edge music as a means to reach people as we once did, but rather we just keep investing in what we know best.

Just a thought.

Jeff's Cup

a Biblical thought...
I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I'm a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. (John 3:11)

a Book thought... Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie

It is not the business of authority figures to validate genius, because genius threatens authority. (p24)

a Dave thought...
Yesterday is known as the biggest day sporting day on the Australian calender - the AFL Grand Final. As Geelong, the unbackable favourite was taking on the up and coming Hawks it certainly had a lot of us sporting addicts intrigued. Well Hawthorn did win, but in more ways than one as I will explain.
I am a big fan of the way Jeff Kennett continually manages to succeed when it comes to vision and action. So when the former premier took over as president of Hawthorn back in 2005 I had a strange suspicion something significant would happen at the club over the next few years. Well true to form Jeff didn't disappoint and through incredible criticism employed an untried coach in Alastair Clarkson. He was also behind the sacking of most of the older players as Jeff explained the hawks would rebuild so they could contest for a flag in 4 years time. Jeff certainly knows how to get things done as during this time he has also instigated their move to Waverley with an amazing new training facility and now he is already casting a vision of 50,000 members in 2009. Jeff is a leader with vision who is willing to take some big hits immediately to build for a better future. Yesterday most applauded the coach and players on the dais as they took the glory and did the hard work on the day, but for me its Jeff's cup.

Just a thought.

R.I.P. Emerging Church

a Biblical thought...
"Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I'll join you at once in your worship." (Matthew 2:8)

a Book thought...
We can insist that hope is real and that a group of people who love God and others really can change the world. (p177 Bell)

a Dave thought... http://www.blog.christianitytoday.com/
“The emerging church will disappear.” That was two years ago.
Now comes word from recognized leaders and voices within the emerging church movement that the term has become so polluted that it is being dropped. Consider Dan Kimball. He wrote the book on the emerging church—literally. His 2003 book, The Emerging Church, reintroduced the term into the evangelical lexicon. In Kimball’s blog post from last week he writes:
Although I am finding that the term [emerging church] has become so broad now and so confusing, it is very important to know that I am not by any means stopping being involved and pursuing the heart and mission of what the term "emerging church" originally meant. At least in how I was personally using it when I wrote the book 6 years ago.
What did the term mean 6 years ago? Kimball defined it this way: “If you were to have asked me what the core of the emerging church is, I would have responded with ‘evangelism and mission in our emerging culture to emerging generations.’” But, according to Kimball, few people associate emerging with evangelism anymore. (He finds himself using the term missional instead.) Today, Kimball says:
I can't defend or even explain theologically what is now known broadly as "the emerging church" anymore, because it has developed into so many significantly different theological strands. Some I strongly would disagree with.

I have used the term also over the last few years and have offended some and encouraged others but I must agree it no longer describes a particular Christian sub-culture no longer. It seems as more and more Christians have started diverse new faith communities under the emergent heading it longer has value, and no one really knows what it is any longer. It will be interesting to see what the next fad will be maybe we should all just use the word CHURCH at least that is in scripture.

Just a thought.

119 Hours of Prayer

a Biblical thought...
Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25)

a Book thought...
It is important that churches acknowledge suffering and engage it - never, ever presenting the picture that if you follow Jesus, your problems will go away. Following Jesus may bring on problems you never imagined. (p170 Bell)

a Dave thought...
Last night at Box Hill 119 Hours of Prayer was launched. This great initiative from the prayer team involved gathering a cross section of people of all ages from the whole corps for a one hour service that had the band, songsters and contemporary group all present to begin the next 119 hours of prayer. The next 5 days of continuous prayer lead up to the start of ACC on Tuesday 30th September at 7.30pm.

As part of the gathering Jay Lomer shared from the word from 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 and encouraged us with the following insights: 1. We are called as God's people 2.We must be willing to move 3. God chose us and His house is consecrated. He challenged us all to look ahead rather than behind and suggested when your memories are greater that your dreams you are already beginning to die. Thanks Jay & Jode for your passion for prayer it has certainly taught me a lot, I am certainly with you both and pray that this time once again too will bring Glory to God.

Just a thought.

Church Drop Out

a Biblical thought...
Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. (Psalm 1:2)

a Book thought...
I am learning that the church is at its best when it is underground, subversive, and countercultural. (p168 Bell)
a Dave thought... http://www.lifeway.com/
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—A new study from LifeWay Research reveals that more than two-thirds of young adults who attend a Protestant church for at least a year in high school will stop attending church regularly for at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22. In most cases, the decision to leave was not planned far in advance. Only 20 percent of these "church dropouts" agree that while they were attending church regularly in high school they "planned on taking a break from church once [they] finished high school."

Life changes or life situations cause young people to leave the church. In fact, 97 percent of dropouts list one or more specific life-change issues as a reason they left church.

Six of the top 10 reasons church dropouts leave relate to life changes. The most frequent reason for leaving church is, in fact, a self-imposed change, "I simply wanted a break from church" (27 percent). The paths toward college and the workforce are also strong reasons for young people to leave church: "I moved to college and stopped attending church" (25 percent) and "work responsibilities prevented me from attending" (23 percent).
In addition to moving to college, others simply "moved too far away from the church to continue attending" (22 percent) and, it can be assumed, did not find a closer church.
How young people use their time and the relationships they choose can also lead them away from church. Twenty-two percent "became too busy, though still wanted to attend," and 17 percent "chose to spend more time with friends outside the church."

I believe that most of our twenty-somethings in The Salvation Army don't attend to leave the movement either, but life does change rapidly through these years and sometimes we don't provide the supportive community and deep level of discussion desired by those going through these transitions.

Just a thought.

School Holiday Program

a Biblical thought...
Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age. (Rev 22:5)

a Book thought...
It is our turn to rediscover the beautiful, dangerous, compelling idea that a group of people, surrendered to God and to each other, really can change the world. (p164 Bell)

a Dave thought...
Envoy Graeme Mawson has done a great job getting a School Holiday Program off the ground at Healesville. With 30 children attending from the local community everyday this week it is certainly a fun place to be. It is also encouraging to see Ringwood get behind the idea and headed up by Luke Baker bring out seven youth leaders to help run the weeks activities.

I was asked to go and do some leadership training with them and in particular look at their personality profiles. As I took them through a Myers-Briggs type of assessment and drank coffee together we began to realise how uniquely God made us all. In this small group we had opposite ends of the spectrum from an ISTJ to an ENFP and soon realised that we all need to allow each other to lead in our own unique way. What all these young leaders have in common though is their love for God and their willingness to commit to a week of serving others. Well done guys!

Just a thought.

ACC

a Biblical thought...
I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, he's their God. He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone." (Rev 21:3-5)

a Book thought...
The goal isn't escaping this world but making this world the kind of place God can come to. (p150 Bell)

a Dave thought...
It was eight years ago now that a few of us got together and started a gathering. At the time we were looking for title I was reading Aggressive Christianity by Catherine Booth and was so convicted by the messages she had written back in 1891 we went with the name The Aggressive Christianity Conference. Over the past seven conferences there has been many brilliant talks, there has also been some inspiring worship, but most of all God has turned up. The fruit of seven ACCs has been transformed lives, some people deciding to follow Christ for the first time, others to become soldiers, and even some who decided to become officers during this time.

ACC08:GO is also going to be a time when God takes us to new places with different people, and to have conversations we have never had before. It will be another event where God shows up and speaks to His Army through our guests but also through the everyday soldiers who are willing to speak what God is laying on their hearts. It is a privilege to have Commissioners Doris & Joe Noland, Lieut-Colonels Janet & Richard, Captain Danielle Strickland and Russ Rook. Our local speakers include John Cleary, Major Brendan Nottle, Major David Eldridge and Commissioners Carolyn & Jim Knaggs. It will be another week of looking back to work out what is worth taking forward, but also of new thoughts and innovative ideas, and it starts in seven days. Hope to see you 7.30pm Tuesday 30th September at Box Hill Salvos. If you are unable to be there check out www.salvationarmy.org/acc and order the DVDs.

Just a thought.

Teenage Girls

a Biblical thought...
Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of a mighty cataract, the sound of strong thunder: Hallelujah! The Master reigns, our God, the Sovereign-Strong! Let us celebrate, let us rejoice, let us give him the glory! (Rev 19:6-7)

a Book thought...
For Jesus, the question wasn’t, how do I get into heaven? But how do I bring heaven here? (p147 Bell)
a Dave thought... from The Age
Fathers of teenage girls need to be able to show unconditional love.
Tears, tantrums and tiaras. As teenage girls play with the boundaries of independence, few will disagree they have a poor reputation for dealing with their parents. But since fathers are usually their first male role models, dads have a big responsibility in bringing up a happy, well-adjusted young woman.
Psychotherapist Shushann Movsessian says fathers affect how their daughters learn boundaries, achieve success, create a loving and trusting relationship with a man, deal with authority and are willing to try new things.
Allan Rudner, who works with fathers of teen girls for the community-based program Pathways Into Womanhood, says when a daughter is dismissive it is important to say "I still love you", "I'm here to support you" and "I'm concerned about your safety."

Parenting is a huge challenge and as our children are at different stages of their lives I am discovering that our relationships need to adjust accordingly. In society more than ever before it seems many teenage girls are facing numerous pressures with low self esteem and depression more common than ever before. I trust that we will do our utmost in and outside the Church to help each other parent and support our teenagers whatever they may be facing.

Just a thought.

Peter

a Biblical thought...
Mighty your acts and marvelous, O God, the Sovereign-Strong! Righteous your ways and true, King of the nations! Who can fail to fear you, God, give glory to your Name? Because you and you only are holy, all nations will come and worship you, because they see your judgments are right. (Rev 15:4)

a Book thought...
When God looks at me, God sees Christ, because I'm "in" him. (p141 Bell)

a Dave thought...
My good mate Major Peter Lindstrom and I have a few shared interests, one is our obsession with triathlons. So yesterday as we often do we decided to go out for a bike ride for a couple of hours, however as the weather turned bad while we were out the roads became very wet, and eight kilometers from home Peter's bike slid out from under him as we were crossing some slippery tram tracks on a busy intersection. As I was directly behind him I watched as he fell and managed to avoid any cars, but as he hit the road hard I thought there may be some serious damage. Well he gathered himself up off the road and as I rang his wife to arrange a safer means of transport home we were both thankful there were no cars involved. The news was not good however as Peter was taken to Box Hill hospital where he will remain for the next 3-4 days. He has a broken rib and has broken his thumb in three places and therefore will be having plastic surgery on it today. As usual he was in good spirits last night in hospital, but he is for a few rough days ahead. Please pray for Peter.

Just a thought.

A Practical Sabbath

a Biblical thought...
And then I heard music, harp music and the harpists singing a new song before the Throne and the Four Animals and the Elders. Only the 144,000 could learn to sing the song. They were bought from earth, lived without compromise, virgin-fresh before God. Wherever the Lamb went, they followed. They were bought from humankind, firstfruits of the harvest for God and the Lamb. Not a false word in their mouths. A perfect offering. (Rev 14:2-5)

a Book thought...
Jesus says it it is possible for religious leaders to actually get in the way of people entering into the life of God. (p139 Bell)

a Dave thought... http://www.neueministry.com/
Recently, an article by Mark Bittman on sporadically disconnecting from technology appeared in the New York Times. He references a term already appearing in blogs on the web: “secular Sabbath.” In short, Bittman practices this non-religious break by taking a day each week to “unplug” from the PDA, the notebook, the RSS feeds, the text messages, the unending e-mails.
With the subject of technology on the table, it should also be noted that reports are surfacing on web addiction–people who overextend daily time for gaming, gambling, networking, blogging and shopping. Web addiction is only theory now, but research continues to build credibility.

Two realities pull the mind and body in distinct directions on a daily basis, two realities holding choice: work and Sabbath. The conclusion that zero work equates with happiness is incorrect. After days of rest, the mind feels the pull to be productive once more, to participate in collective collaboration. But when day after day of productivity unfolds, a simple yearning returns to the soul for rest, disconnect and peace.
Remember, the Sabbath isn’t a harsh rule meant to enslave us, instead, it’s a refreshing means of worship, made for use to remember who’s really in control.

Just a thought.

Wasting Time?

a Biblical thought...
Are you listening to this? They've made their bed; now they must lie in it. Anyone marked for prison goes straight to prison; anyone pulling a sword goes down by the sword. Meanwhile, God's holy people passionately and faithfully stand their ground. (Rev 13:9-10)

a Book thought...
Jesus took some boys who didn’t make the cut and changed the course of human history. (p132 Bell)

a Dave thought...
I was challenged by an article I came across this week on www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com which challenged the reader to consider if spending time on the Internet is a waste of time. Here are the six questions you can ask yourself…

How have I used the Internet to connect with the Online Generation today?
How have I used the Internet to meet and interact with the lost members of the Online Generation today?
What have I done to contribute to existing online communities today?
How have I used the Internet to demonstrate my love for Christ and His love for all people?
How have I used the Internet to gather resources for reaching the Online Generation?
What did I do today to catalyse spiritual communities online?

I have certainly increased my time on the Internet over the last couple of years and I would now spend more time online than I would watching TV. Perhaps the fact that I can control what I read and take in through the Internet might be the reason. I also find the time a lot more productive and interactive than just sitting back watching the box. So for me yeah it takes a lot of time but I’d have to say it is time not wasted.

Just a thought.

Ourselves

a Biblical thought...
They weren't in love with themselves; they were willing to die for Christ. (Rev 12:10)

a Book thought...
So many leaders in Christian communities are going so fast and producing so much and accomplishing so much that they become a shell of a person. There is no space to deal honestly with what's going on deep inside them. (p119 Bell)
a Dave thought...
Last night in cell we completed our 6 week journey through the Boundless Salvation DVD's with many interesting discussions between scenes along the way. For those that are yet to check them out, they are really a must see, and I know for many that have watched them they have helped viewers understand theologically and ecclesiologically the brilliant idea of The Salvation Army. Because our movement is so unique with its uniforms, military language and brass bands, it is not until we understand the concept of an evangelical Army saving souls across the globe that our systems and priorities make sense. However for me the best comment came from a young lady in our cell who after being a part of the Salvos for a couple of years had a simple observation. She said, 'how come Salvos are so critical of themselves, as everyone in the community has a healthy respect for us'. Sometimes it is good to just stop critically analysing ourselves, or beating ourselves up and instead just simply appreciate how God has helped shape the Army to what it has become today.

Just a thought.

My Covenant

a Biblical thought...
The Twenty-four Elders seated before God on their thrones fell to their knees, worshiped, and sang, We thank you, O God, Sovereign-Strong, Who Is and Who Was. You took your great power and took over—reigned!

a Book thought...
Sabbath is taking a day a week to remind myself that I did not make the world and that it will continue to exist without my efforts. (p117 Bell)
a Dave thought...

CALLED BY GOD to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as an officer of The Salvation Army I BIND MYSELF TO HIM IN THIS SOLEMN COVENANT to love and serve him supremely all my days, to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life, to care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the unlovable, and befriend those who have no friends, to maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army, and, by God's grace to prove myself a worthy officer.

I was reflecting on my Officers Covenant the other day which I signed 9 months ago and came to the part that reads...to care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the unlovable, and befriend those who have no friends. While I strongly believe this, unfortunately it is not often I actually carry this out. I can use the excuse that is because I currently hold a THQ appointment but really we all make time to do things we want to in life. It seems that we use most of our time managing staff, leading teams, and in my case organising events more than anything else. Obviously we still hope that in turn that our ministry will fulfill the five areas above but we don't seem to engage personally. Well today I am going down to assist with the Byways lunch at Ringwood Salvos as it is what God requires of us but also knowing that I am being true to my covenant.

Just a thought.

INSANE

a Biblical thought...
When the seventh Angel blew his trumpet, which he was about to do, the Mystery of God, all the plans he had revealed to his servants, the prophets, would be completed. (Rev 10:7)

a Book thought...
What happens is our lives become so heavily oriented around the expectations of others that we become more and more like them and less and less like ourselves. (p114 Bell)



a Dave thought...
INSANE is our territorial youth event to be held in January 11-18 at Melbourne High School. I believe it is going to the the biggest and best youth event we have ever held in this territory. It is only $50 to attend and as long as you are aged between 14 to 25 you are eligible to come along to the whole 168 hours. There will be an opportunity to connect and have fun with other Salvo youth, an opportunity to find out more about Jesus & what it means to follow Him. You will also have creative arts electives, an opportunity to go deeper in discussion groups and also you will get to go out for a day and do mission in a team. The nights will also be a lot of fun with an outdoor cinema & live bands on every night. As we are expecting over 800 youth it will certainly be INSANE! Check out more at www.insane.salvationarmy.org.au

Just a thought.

Junior Soldiers

a Biblical thought...
Then another Angel, carrying a gold censer, came and stood at the Altar. He was given a great quantity of incense so that he could offer up the prayers of all the holy people of God on the Golden Altar before the Throne. (Rev 8:3)

a Book thought...
Salvation is the entire universe being brought back into harmony with its maker. (p109 Bell)

a Dave thought...
It was a very moving occasion last night to see my wife enroll nine Junior Soldiers as part of the YP anniversary weekend at Box Hill. Sally & Vanessa have done a great job preparing these young people and along with their prayer pals it was quite a site with 21 people on stage. I still remember being enrolled myself in 1978 at Box Hill at the age of seven. I'm sure this step of faith and commitment for this nine will also be the start of many significant ministry opportunities in years to come. I also understand the responsibility we all have as witnesses there last night to make sure they are all supported and encouraged in their faith during these early years.

Just a thought.

Souled Out?

a Biblical thought...
They serve him day and night in his Temple. The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes. (Rev 7:16-17)

a Book thought...
God's desire is for us to live in harmony with him - body, soul, spirit, mind, emotions - every inch of our being. (p107 Bell)

a Dave thought...
Last night it was great to be a part of Souled Out the Eastern Vic Youth Councils held at Mitcham. Cadet Scott Ellery preached very creatively from Psalm 19 and challenged us all to reflect the glory of God as we live our everyday lives.

Divisional Youth Councils has been a significant weekend of the year and every corps always did their best to ensure that as many young people as possible attended this event. It was a time when hundreds of us would gather for worship, hear testimonies, have fun & be challenged to consider officership. We were all eager to get there as there was a sense that we were all in this together. Well times have changed and as we were once The Salvation Army Box Hill, we are now the Box Hill Salvos, as the local corps has taken priority over the vision for a unified army. The local church is seen by many as the 'hope of the world' and has become the focus, but when an army is at its best surely we should be about training and mobilizing the troops not setting up the best camp possible.

Just a thought.

Decision Making

a Biblical thought...
When he ripped off the fifth seal, I saw the souls of those killed because they had held firm in their witness to the Word of God. (Rev 6:9)

a Book thought...
Being a Christian is not cutting yourself off from real life; it is entering into it more fully.
a Dave thought...
An crucial part of leadership is making decisions, and when those decisions involve people or money there is always a consequence. I am one who believes in giving things a go and although I don't get it right all the time I certainly believe some leaders are better than others when it comes to decision making. I am one who likes to discuss with others, and talk to God about it but then I also like things to move quickly once a decision has been made. It seems that if we wait for everyone to buy-in we would often never move on, but on the other side making decisions without a certain amount of support also is dangerous. Godly wisdom is worth its weight in gold.

Just a thought.

Twenty Years Ago

a Biblical thought...
I looked again. I heard a company of Angels around the Throne, the Animals, and the Elders—ten thousand times ten thousand their number, thousand after thousand after thousand in full song: The slain Lamb is worthy! Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength! Take the honor, the glory, the blessing! (Rev 5:11-12)

a Book thought...
Perhaps we ought to replace the word missionary with tour guide, because we cannot show people something we haven't seen. (p88 Bell)
a Dave thought...
As it is my birthday today, Kylie & I have been doing a bit of reflecting as we do. We worked out together it was 20 years ago last night that we both attended an event we we laid eyes on each other. On September 11 1988 Kylie I both attended a divisional youth crush in the Melbourne Central Division and over pizza in the YP hall in Preston we were introduced for the very first time. Well 20 years later we now have signed a couple of covenants together and have two children and life is great. We must keep divisional youth crushes on the agenda for no other reason than Salvo teenagers can develop lifelong relationships at events like these that may change their lives forever.

Just a thought.

Gandhi's Seven Deadly Sins

a Biblical thought...
And they chanted night and day, never taking a break: Holy, holy, holy Is God our Master, Sovereign-Strong, The Was, The Is, The Coming. (Rev 4:8)

a Book thought...
Missions is less about the transportation of God from one place to another and more about the identification of a God who is already there. (p87 Bell)
a Dave thought...
Mohandas Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in modern social and political activism, considered these traits to be the most spiritually perilous to humanity…

Wealth without Work
Pleasure without Conscience
Science without Humanity
Knowledge without Character
Politics without Principle
Commerce without Morality
Worship without Sacrifice

Ghandi was an amazing man, I still remember watching the Richard Attenborough movie about his life when in high school and was moved by the fact that one humble person could have such an impact on the world by engaging in civil disobedience. These seven traits still stand today, and in our western culture as worship is often about convenience more than sacrifice until we as Salvationists display the same passion and sacrifice as we once did, maybe it isn't really worship.

Just a thought.

Happiness

a Biblical thought...
Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors! (Rev 3:20-21)

a Book thought...
Being a Christian is about engaging the mind and heart more and more, not shutting them off or letting someone else think for you. (p86 Bell)

a Dave thought... from The Age
ARE you happy? That's the simple question the Government of Bhutan asked its people in a nationwide census. An incredible 97% said they were.Mr Tshiteem is in Melbourne this week to pass on a few tips to the Victorian Government.
However, happiness does not equate simply to income. Bhutan's capital, Thimpu, is increasingly influenced by foreign ideas that money governs lives, and that is causing depression and alienation.
"Once you cross a certain threshold, money doesn't get you more happiness," Mr Tshiteem said. "Our main concern is that if you have growth which is just blind, fed by people's growing consumption, it's not really sustainable.
"What we are trying to do in our own little context is see what pattern of growth will be sustainable and desirable."
"The pressure from outside, globalisation, TV, it is always 'buy, buy, buy'. They always want to sell you something."

Although it is a phrase we constantly here that "money won't bring you happiness" I have no doubt it is true. Walking through the poor communities in Soweto last year and meeting many happy families who had a few metres square for a home confirmed that. Also in my own life I am now at a stage now where we earn and own very little compared to our last 15 years but must admit life is as great as it has ever been.

Just a thought.

No Ordinary John

a Biblical thought...
Don't quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you. (Revelation 2:10)

a Book thought...
We have to embrace the Bible as the wild, uncensored, passionate account it is of people experiencing the living God. (p63 Bell)
a Dave thought...
Yesterday I arrived a few minutes late to a meeting I was invited to attend about Surrender, the conference attached to UNOH. As I took the only seat left around the table, a couple of the participants shook my hand and made me feel welcome, one of whom introduced himself as John. As I started browsing through the notes given to me I read through the list of attendees and suddenly realised I was not sitting next to no ordinary John, this was John Smith!

Twenty years ago I heard John for the first time at the Belgrave Heights Youth Convention and was blown away by his counter cultural message, so much so that for the next few years of my life I bought his books and listened to his tapes. John Smith is an international author and speaker and founder of the God's Squad, an evangelical motorcycle club. As I managed to grab a few minutes afterwards I told him the admiration I'd have for him for many years, and he humbly replied ''I have come from the same place you did brother''. He went on to explain that he also had a Methodist background like William Booth and lives his life to see the marginalised accepted and transformed by the living God. On the car on the way back to the office I realised how great it is that there are faithful servants who last the test of time and are still as passionate as ever to see the gospel spread across this world.

Just a thought.

Scrabble

a Biblical thought...
Don't fear: I am First, I am Last, I'm Alive. I died, but I came to life, and my life is now forever. See these keys in my hand? They open and lock Death's doors, they open and lock Hell's gates. (Revelation 1:17)

a Book thought...
The Word is living and active and it happens. Today. (p61 Bell)

a Dave thought...
On Saturday I went along and participated in my first ever scrabble tournament in Ballarat with Matte Dunn & Matt Kean. It was a long but enjoyable day as we left at 8am arrived by 10am, we then each played six 50 minute games and returned home by 8pm in the evening. Noah came along and was runner, which meant for all six games he took the challenge words to the adjudicator who who would then punch them into the computer and then take the answer back on a printed slip back to the appropriate table. As it was my first tournament I was in division three, and as I won three out of my six games I received the Novice Trophy for my efforts.

It is interesting how some games that you are introduced to as a child stay with you for life. My mum is an avid scrabble player and taught me to play at a very early age, and I have now passed the tradition down to Noah who is now learning the art on his Nintendo DS. It has caused some challenges however. Noah was doing the letter Q in his prep class the other week and wrote the word qi which his teacher was quick to tell him was not a word. Well it was all resolved on the Friday at show and tell when Noah took in our scrabble dictionary and showed her the q words, humbly I hope.

In life many of us get to decide which traditions we pass on in life, faith and in the church. As we make decisions about these and influence people I just pray we choose those traditions worth keeping as we pass them on to the next generation.

Just a thought.

Fathers' Day

a Biblical thought...
But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! (Jude 21-21)

a Book thought...
What is accepted today as tradition was, at one point in time, a break from tradition. (p56 Bell)
a Dave thought...
Fathers' day is a great day when you are a proud dad of two young boys. Unfortunately it started at 4.57am when Josiah decided he was not going to sleep any longer. Kylie then cooked me pancakes for breakfast as I unwrapped my presents including a new pair of moccasins from Noah. I do really love being a dad, sure my life is busier and I have more responsibility as others depend on me, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Just a thought.

Retreat

a Biblical thought...
Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible. (3 John 1:5)

a Book thought...
I don’t any of the writers of the bible ever intended people to read their letters alone. (p53 Bell)

a Dave thought...
Yesterday all the THQ officers gathered together for a spiritual retreat at the Treacy Conference Centre in Parkville. It was a valuable time with Major Robert Patterson leading us through the day, which was based on the transfiguration in Mark 9. An interesting exercise we all engaged in was to draw the 3 tents that Peter refers to in verse 5. We were asked to use our imagination to sketch images of a dwelling place for Jesus, Elijah & Moses. It was good to have some space to reflect and pray & although I’m no artist, God was certainly in our midst.

Just a thought.

M08

a Biblical thought...
Love each other. Love means following his commandments, and his unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love. This is the first thing you heard, and nothing has changed. (2 John 1:6)

a Book thought...
Jesus expects his followers to be engaged in the endless process of deciding what it means to actually live the Scriptures. (p50 Bell)

a Dave thought...
Majors Ron & Robyn Clinch did a great job last night casting vision and hope for the Eastern Victoria Division at M08. We heard that there are 36 corps, 90 officers, 457 employees & 400 volunteers in this division. In the last 12 months 49 Soldiers, 41 Adherents & 34 Junior Soldiers have been enrolled. We were reminded that we need to continue to take risks and start new corps or congregations as that is where most new people are being connected to God and the army. Ron encouraged us all to start something new for God as when we do that it brings hope, excitement and vision to our corps, and more people will here the gospel as a result.

This yearly event intrigues me as I am one who likes to know the current stats and where we are at as an army. However only a few come outside of officers and those that are part of the participating groups. When we were at our peak we used to think and dream for not only our own corps but those around us, now it seems that most of us are only concerned about ourselves, our own corps, our local community church. Its sad we have lost the connectedness but until we train our officers and soldiers in army ecclesiology, rather than how to set up a local church things will remain the same.

Just a thought.

Bloggers are healthier

a Biblical thought...
The reality test on whether or not we love God's children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep his commands? The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome. (1 John 5:3)

a Book thought...
Sometimes when people are backing up their points and the Bible is used to prove that they are right, everything within me says, "There is no way that's what God meant by that verse." (p45 Bell)
a Dave thought...
Blogging can help you feel less isolated, more connected to a community and more satisfied with your friendships, both online and face-to-face, new Australian research has found.
The research, from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, found after two months of regular blogging, people felt they had better social support and friendship networks than those who did not blog.
Researchers James Baker and Professor Susan Moore have written two papers investigating the psychological benefits of blogging, regularly updating personal web pages with information that invites others to comment.
The first, published in the latest issue of the journal CyberPsychology and Behaviour, compares the mental health of people intending to blog with that of people not planning to blog.
"We found potential bloggers were less satisfied with their friendships and they felt less socially integrated, they didn't feel as much part of a community as the people who weren't interested in blogging," Ms Moore said.

I came across this article yesterday in the Swinburne Uni magazine, as an everyday blogger it grabbed my attention. I am also one who believes in what you are thinking or reading should be shared with those around you, as it often helps to clarify or adjust your thoughts. I also continue this discipline because I believe being a Jesus follower requires us to be contact with other believers and being kept accountable to each other. When we develop our faith in isolation it can become a selfish journey and we then end up in an unhealthy space.

Just a thought.

Verges

a Biblical thought...
My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love. (1 John 4:7-8)

a Book thought...
If you study the Bible and it doesn’t lead you to wonder and awe, then you haven’t studied the Bible. (p34 Bell)
a Dave thought...

I came across this great interview on http://www.leadershipjournal.net/ with Pator David Gibbons, pastor of NewSong in California. David has deliberately turned his 4000 member megachurch into a 100 smaller congregations he calls verges. Here are some of his wise words...

I visited other churches and discovered that the Evangelical Covenant denomination there had 4,000 people in roughly 400 churches. It hit me. Back home NewSong had about 4,000 in four congregations. I saw four churches with 4,000 people versus 400 churches with the same number of people, and the question I felt God posing to me is, Who's stronger?
The four hundred churches. You could knock any one of them out, and the rest would keep going. So much of our default protocol is centralized and built around one leader.

Most verges would be 30 to 100. That size has a lot of power especially for young adults, because they want intimacy but they also want energy of a larger group.
Something as small as a house church is very fragile, not sustainable in many cases. And if you look at how modern armies and special forces move, they work in units of three, 12 through 30, and about 300. My guess is the biggest movement in churches of the future will be among those 30 to 300.

We call them verges, short for convergence, because they are a convergence of the best features of a small and a large church. I believe this size is going to be the most effective in many places around the world.

From the beginning of NewSong, we had a dream of planting a church in every major urban center in the world. But the form we were trying to replicate was the megachurch model. Of course, to have a megachurch, you have to have a megaleader.

Verges to me sound a lot like corps, maybe The Salvation Army model is coming back in vogue.

Just a thought.

Leadership Panel

a Biblical thought...
This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. (1 John 3:16-17)

a Book thought...
The problem with brickianity is that walls inevitably keep people out. Often it appears as though you have to agree with all of the bricks exactly as they are or you can’t join. (p28 Bell)

a Dave thought...

Yesterday I was part of a leadership panel for the first year cadets at training college. Along with Major Di Corkery, Captains Gen Paterson & Johnmark Snead we were all asked questions about own leadership experiences and we were asked to give our opinions. Even though the four of us had diverse opinions on some of the issues and the way we each engage in ministry, two basic principles stood out to me. Firstly we all agree when we spend time with God we are better leaders, and secondly how well we lead depends on how well we build relationships. Simply put we are called 2Love God & others, when we do that we can influence those around us for the better.

Just a thought.

Childcare

a Biblical thought...
The one who keeps God's word is the person in whom we see God's mature love. This is the only way to be sure we're in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived. (1 John 2:5-6)

a Book thought...
Doctrine is a wonderful servant and a horrible master. (p25 Bell)
a Dave thought... from The Herald Sun
Mem Fox, author of Possum Magic said parents were sometimes distracted by "the trappings" of having a baby. "When they have the good house, the good car, the good job - we're talking about very advantaged people, the high flyers - they think, 'now we need a baby we can dress up and make look perfect'.
"But do they realise that child needs love more than anything else in the world? The child just wants to be held, it wants to have attention, to be the centre of a universe."
A federal government census of child care released this year found 757 children attended day care for at least 60 hours a week in 2006. A further 9426 children were in care for between 50 and 59 hours a week.

I came across this article on the weekend and found it somewhat disturbing. Being a father of two children, my wife & I decided to have both Noah & Josiah attend childcare two days a week through their infant years. I am still comfortable with the way we have chosen for our sons to be brought up, but it is amazing how you can doubt your judgement after reading just one article.

Just a thought.