Blogging Seminar

a Biblical thought...
They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. (Luke 7:16-17)

a Book thought...
The ultimate act of humility as a leader is replacing ourselves. (p179 Logan & Miller)
a Dave thought...
Yesterday in Melbourne at the On Fire exhibition I was responsible for hosting a seminar on blogging and social networking. It was really interesting to hear peoples insights on blogging and engaging with others online and their opinions on the different ways to interact with this medium.

Commissioner Knaggs spoke about how he was challenged many years ago to blog daily to get current SA news out to the cyberworld and gets over 250 hits a day. Captain Stephen Court began blogging in 2003 and sees it as opportunity to inspire not to debate and be questioned. Simon Mapleback uses his blog to help bring people to salvation. We talked about the good and bad of allowing comments on your blog, and also the way anyone can interact with our TC which is unique in the SA world. General Burrows also let us know she has 450 people waiting to become her friend on Facebook.

Just a thought.

A Creative use for Facebook

a Biblical thought...
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:30)

a Book thought...
If done well, leadership, like parenting, creates not dependency but independence. (p169 Logan & Miller)

a Dave thought... from The Herald Sun
MELBOURNE restaurateur Peter Leary has used Facebook to track down bill dodgers in his up-market establishment, Seagrass.
The drama unfolded last week when a group of five young diners, after drinking at the bar, requested a table at the Southbank restaurant. Over dinner, they worked their way expertly through the menu, ordered and drank fine wines and, after ordering dessert, slipped out "for a smoke". They kept going. Leary was left with an unpaid bill for about $520, and little hope of recovering his money. "It was then I remembered that when the group arrived, one of them had asked about one of our waitresses who was not working that night," Leary said yesterday. The waitress gave him a name and then he thought of Facebook. "I searched the name and there he was, large as life," he said. "And he was pictured with his girlfriend - the only girl who had been in the group. "The site also gave me his place of employment, which was handy." Leary discovered that both the man and his girlfriend worked at another Southbank restaurant. Angered that it was workers from his own industry who had perpetrated the scam, he stormed down to the restaurant and confronted the restaurant owner, who promised to deal with the matter. Within hours, the restaurant manager arrived at Seagrass with the ringleader, who not only paid the bill, but left a generous tip for staff. "The restaurant manager then told me he would let me know what further action would be taken," said Leary. "And later, he called to say both employees had been dismissed." But has the former waiter outlined his well-deserved career glitch on Facebook? "Apparently not," said Leary. "Or at least, not yet."

There are many uses for Facebook but debt recovery is certainly a cheap and creative way of using this social networking tool I'd never thought of.

Just a thought.

Barackberry Obama

a Biblical thought...
Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:15-16)

a Book thought...
One of the most essential, foundational qualities to develop in a leader is humility. (p162 Logan & Miller)
a Dave thought... from The Age
US president-elect Barack Obama is trying to work out how he can hang on to his beloved BlackBerry once he moves into to the Oval Office next year.
According to excerpts of the interview released by ABC, Obama said one change he was resisting was having to give up his beloved BlackBerry.
A president's email may be subject to public records laws and can be subpoenaed by Congress and the courts. It may also be a security risk for him to carry a traceable mobile phone.
Giving it up, Obama said, "is a problem".

He said he was working with the Secret Service, lawyers and White House staff to find a solution. "I'm negotiating to figure out how can I get information from outside of the 10 or 12 people who surround my office in the White House," he said. "Because one of the worst things I think that could happen to a president is losing touch with what people are going through day to day."

It seems in many hierarchies it is those who stay in touch as they climb the ladder of leadership that people value the most. I love the fact Obama is trying to keep his BlackBerry and just stay a little bit normal, also on a personal note it is great just being able to give him a call sometimes, without having to go through his PA:)

Just a thought.

Ministry Appreciation Dinner

a Biblical thought...
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. (Luke 4:14-15)

a Book thought...
Developing others is a multistage process. It's time intensive and it's relationship intensive. There are no shortcuts. (p159 Logan & Miller)
a Dave thought...
Last night I was invited to the Ministry Appreciation Dinner at the Box Hill Corps. This is a night when everyone who has served others through the year in roles from leading small groups to cooking meals are thanked and appreciated by the corps leadership. The meal was great, and fine words were exchanged but most of all it was a unifying occasion. As Box Hill is so diverse with over 700 different people through its doors each week via Cafe Salvo, Companion Club, the Korean corps and five Sunday congregations it was just a great chance to reflect. So to the 100 or so people who were present last night and all the others who also make this corps run smoothly from week to week - well done.

Just a thought.

We are an Army

a Biblical thought...
John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." (Luke 3:11)

a Book thought...
When we invest in others, we have no idea where God will take them or what he'll do in them. But we can be a part of it, a witness to his work. (p155 Logan & Miller)
a Dave thought...
John Cleary recently said it is not Salvation that makes our movement distinct but rather the fact that we are an Army. Some in our movement are perhaps embarrassed with our military emphasis or just find it irrelevant but unless we believe in our uniqueness we will continue to blend into the spectrum of many other denominations. So in order for us to operate and function like the army God has called us to be we must discover a way to recruit soldiers and officers who are willing to fight. If we don't discover what it means to be an army today and how to function effectively in the 21st century perhaps we should just change our name to The Salvation Church.

Just a thought.

Recruitment

a Biblical thought...
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:39-40)

a Book thought...
The primary way all of us really learn is by doing and by making mistakes. (p136 Logan & Miller) a Dave thought...
It was interesting to learn that the Australian Defence Force spent $31.8 million dollars on recruitment in 2006. As we are an Army also I often wonder if we put enough thought and resources behind our recruitment strategies. We obviously value candidates and many make a real effort to recruit potential officers but do we also value soldier recruitment in the same way? Unless we start recruiting and training soldiers our pool for officer recruitment will continue to diminish. Maybe it is time to put more effort and resources into recruitment as without soldiers and officers we will become like any other church and fail to be the Army God has called us to be.
Just a thought.

Tanzania

a Biblical thought...
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:35-37)

a Book thought...
People learn best when they sense a need, and they learn best in the context of doing. (p132 Logan & Miller)

a Dave thought...
Last night at Camberwell it was great to witness the commissioning of nine young people who head off on Saturday to Tanzania on a mission trip. As they lead the meeting, sang and shared about mission, hope and love it was very evident the group is passionate about God and what it means to reach out to others in this world today. As the trip is for a month these guys are all sacrificing Christmas with their families which makes this even more remarkable. So to Jess McCoy, Kathryn Lingard, Annie Johnson, Joel McCoy, Luke Rigley, Chris Knop, Miriam Pho, Claire Mellody & team leader John Vince our prayers and thoughts will be with you each.

Just a thought.

Bill Broughton

a Biblical thought...
"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' " (Mark 16:6-7)

a Book thought...
Character is much harder to come by than skills - and much more valuable. (p118 Logan & Miller)

a Dave thought...
Bill Broughton is a composer and trombonist who has worked in Hollywood for many years as well as being a Salvationist. http://www.abc.net.au/sundaynights/stories/s1644254.htm
He is truly an exceptionally talented man and a person I have admired for many years. In the late 80's my brother and myself used to sit down in front of the LP player and listen to Bill play his arrangement of Take Up Thy Cross and be amazed at his ability to finish on a high F with such a sweet sound. Well last night it was privilege to have the legend in person doing a concert with the Box Hill bands and again this morning as he featured in our worship services including giving the sermon on both occasions. Two of his thoughts which will remain with me was his quote from Samuel Logan Brengle ''we must learn to work with God rather than work for God" and secondly his teaching on giftings. He challenged us not elevate the gift of music above any others in the church but rather whatever your gift is use it to glorify God and do it to the best of your ability.

Just a thought.

Pessianne

a Biblical thought...
The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of." But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. (Mark 15:3-5)

a Book thought...
The life of faith is not about ourselves - our fulfillment, our growth, our maturity, our power. It's about pouring out our lives for others. (p117 Logan & Miller)
a Dave thought...
Yesterday I had to drop into the pharmacy to pick up some medication. As I waiting there for my drugs to be prepared a mysterious lady in her 50's walked in and after one of the shop assistants asked her how she was announced loudly to the whole shop "the party last night next door to my house didn't finish till 10pm and started at 2 in the afternoon!" She then went on to let everyone know that this street is the worst in Balwyn and all the hoons drive up and down here all night, and then followed it with another encouraging thought about how the council is always doing roadworks outside and how useless they are. After my 5 minutes in this lady's company I realised quickly that Anne was a pessimist, she could see what was wrong with everything and everyone, to her credit she did end up apologising to me about her behaviour and as I was in uniform then expressed her hope to me that the band may come down her street again this Christmas.

It is tiring to spend time with pessimists, people who always see the problems in the world but can't seem to see the good. Often I can be critical myself but unless we can see the glass half full rather than half empty and give people hope in this world, life is really going to be pretty depressing. So next time you meet Pessianne let her know how good life is an optimist and make sure you turn up to her house this year with the band to give her some Christmas cheer.

Just a thought.

Q Talks

a Biblical thought...
She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her. (Mark 14:8-9)

a Book thought...
If there were some surefire way to grow people spiritually, such a curriculum would have been created by now. It's not a curriculum but a process: being and doing, action and reflection & listening to God in the context of community. (p112 Logan & Miller)

a Dave thought...
Came across this web page yesterday http://www.qideas.org/

Q TALKS are 18 minute presentations given annually at the Q gathering by thought leaders and practitioners on the topics of the future, the church, the culture and the gospel. Be inspired by their big ideas and find ways to discuss and process them with your closest friends and inner circle.

It is so important that we continue to dream, share and learn about where the culture and church are heading in future years. It is well worth looking at some of the 18 minute videos on this site and be open to be challenged and stretched. This is a fabulous way to present a site with everything downloadable to your ipod so all visual presentations, talks and even the magazine can be downloaded for a small fee. If you don't make it to the site, that's okay but just make sure you continue to dream & think within your own context.

Just a thought.

Y worry?

a Biblical thought...
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Mark 13:31)

a Book thought...
Sometimes our best learning moments come through a conflict, a challenge, a failure, or a period of waiting. (p110 Logan & Miller)
a Dave thought... from The Age
Recession? What recession, according to a generation of young people who have grown up with full employment, low interest rates and a buoyant economy.
While more than two out of three Australians say they intend to cut back spending this Christmas, generation Y is planning a shopping spree according to a snapshot of more than 1000 Australians. And they will be spending $220 on average playing Santa Claus to themselves, more than double ($107) what the general population has budgeted for their own wish list this Christmas.

Many people this Christmas will be spending large amounts of money on presents, but for Gen Y who may not have the stress of investments, mortgages and the like it will be done carefree but let's also remember they will also be giving generously to many who have little as well.

Just a thought.

Officer Training

a Biblical thought...
Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? (Mark 12:24)

a Book thought...

Growth is not a linear process or a smooth process. We don’t grow first, then serve. We grow as we serve. And we serve as we grow. We need both, and we need them in tandem. (p107 Logan & Miller)

a Dave thought...
I am one who believes that looking after yourself is important if you are going to have a fruitful ministry. For me that means both spiritually & physically. I have no doubt that not only does my spiritual health determine my effectiveness but also my physical health. After chatting to various officers over the years many also agree with this principle and state that there finest years of service have been when they have been at their peak physical condition. On the other hand there are officers all over the world who are not able to work at their potential due to poor health or being overweight.

If we are preparing cadets spiritually at Training College for life-long service should we also be preparing them physically as well? I believe as part of the timetable for cadets along with dedicated times for personal devotions, and morning prayers there should also be a time for daily exercise. Although some say this is extreme if we want our officers to make it through the stress and strain of 30-40 years service I suggest we train our officers in daily habits that will help us all last the distance.

Just a thought.

Planting or Sowing?

a Biblical thought...
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. (Mark 11:24-25)

a Book thought...
To be a disciple of Jesus means engagement - engagement with Jesus, with others, with the world around us. It's under the real-life situations and strains of interacting with people that Jesus shapes his followers' chracter. (p102 Logan & Miller)
a Dave thought...
The Gospel is like a seed, and you have to sow it. When you sow the seed of the Gospel in Israel, a plant that can be called Jewish Christianity grows. When you sow it in Rome, a plant of Roman Christianity grows. You sow the Gospel in Great Britain and you get British Christianity. The seed of the Gospel is later brought to America, and a plant grows of American Christianity. Now, when missionaries come to our lands they brought not only the seed of the Gospel, but their own plant of Christianity, flower pot included! So, what we have to do is to break the flowerpot, take out the seed of the Gospel, sow it in our own cultural soil, and let our own version of Christianity grow.–Dr. D.T. Niles of Sri Lanka

Maybe we should no longer use the phrase Corps planting but rather Corps sowing, as often we we start our corps with our version in mind rather than letting it mature into a version of Salvationism that suits the culture it is sown into.

Just a thought.

Amanda

a Biblical thought...
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Mark 10:21)

a Book thought...
Jesus ministry happened not in the midst of an artificial, controlled community, but in the midst of real-world community. (p102 Logan & Miller)
a Dave thought...
Last night at the Box Hill Corps it was great to hear Cadet Amanda Vaarzon-Morel give the message in the 6pm service. I have been privileged to be a part of Amanda's journey into training college including taking her through soldiership classes. She gave a great message about surrendering all of our lives to God, and her poise and delivery were faultless. But what was far more impressive is the humble way she delivers the message God has laid on heart. Knowing that she lives a fully surrendered life and is not up there for the show or to impress people was certainly evident. Many came forward for prayer and were impacted by the message God gave through her. Amanda is going to be an outstanding officer because she loves loves God fully and is willing to be His obedient servant.

Just a thought.

Lessons worth Learning

a Dave thought...

I got back this afternoon after competing at the Shepparton Half Ironman. The event consists of a 1.9km swim, 90km bike & 21km run. I was pleased as I improved my time from last year to complete it in 5 hours & 51 minutes. Some think I'm crazy with this obsession I have with Ironman but it gives me an outlet to keep myself fit and enjoy the company of other athletes.

Being a complete Ironman amateur I discover that every race I go in I always learn a few new tricks which help me improve my race. Again I was not disappointed and at the Pasta Party last night I was advised to put shampoo in my goggles and let it dry cloth free the night before the race to avoid fogging. The other trick I learnt was to pump my tyres up to 115-120 psi rather than the standard 110 on colder race days as the more air you have in your tyres the less of the tyre surface area hits the road which results in slightly more speed. But perhaps the greatest lesson I learnt was at 2pm yesterday as I drove into the Shepparton Motor Inn, I mean literally. As I travel with my bike in an upright position on the roof racks it is important not to drive into standard size garages or awnings - like I did. So there was a big bang and the bike popped off and smashed on the ground, well the damage was minimal and except for the embarrassment of doing this in front of some seasoned triathletes I was lucky that my roof rack and bike escaped unscathed. Anyway it is always good to learn something new.

Just a thought.

An INSANE coincidence

a Biblical thought...
He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." (Mark 9:36-37)

a Book thought...
Spiritual formation is not just devotions, but a whole life and community context for engagement with God. (p101 Logan & Miller)
a Dave thought...
After returning from holidays to the office this week I was pleasantly surprised to find 2000 pigs stacked up around my desk. We had ordered 1000 piggy banks to help all our delegates fund raise for mission for our upcoming event INSANE, but due to a mistake from the supplier who made the first 1000 at the wrong size we got a further 1000 at a discounted rate. It was not long till I realised there was something significant about 2000 pigs and insanity. There is a story in Mark 5 that talks about Jesus healing a man and making him sane. For that to happen the 2000 pigs received the demon and lept over a cliff. Well as the pigs started to leave our office yesterday and go out to the registered delegates, I too am starting to feel sane once again.

Just a thought.

The Best Leaders

a Biblical thought...
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

a Book thought...
We need to create spaces in our lives and in our churches that allow the freedom and comfort level necessary for people to ask their questions, try things out, and talk with others who are going on the journey. Places where honest dialogue and relationships can develop. (p80 Logan & Miller)

a Dave thought... by John Maxwell

The Best Leaders Give Their Best to Their People By...

1) GROWING
People naturally follow leaders they respect as being more advanced than they are. For this reason, personal growth is directly proportional to influence. If you desire to gain followers, then pay the price of getting better.
2) SERVING
"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."~ Albert Einstein
Serving others is an attitude issue. Unfortunately, many leaders operate under a king-of-the-hill mentality. They attempt to pull down anyone above them in order to secure the top spot for themselves. In doing so, they clutch at power, grapple for control of company resources, and strive to dominate others. Seeing relationships as win-lose propositions, they ultimately burn bridges and isolate themselves.
3) MODELING
Growing leaders have something to share; serving leaders have something to give; modeling leaders have something to show. As V.J. Featherstone said, "Leaders tell, but never teach, until they practice what they preach." The best leaders embody their values. Their passion exudes from every pore and demands respect.

The Best Leaders Get the Best from Their People By...

1) LISTENING
The smartest leaders realize the limitations of their wisdom, and they listen to their people in order to capture invaluable insights. However, leaders don't just listen to gain knowledge, they also listen to give their people permission: permission to challenge the process, permission to test assumptions; and permission to take risks.
2) RELATING
Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand. To touch a heart, a leader has to be open to disclosing his or her identity by sharing personal stories and owning up to professional weaknesses. Mysterious or aloof leaders may be successful decision-makers, but they won't get the heartfelt loyalty that comes from authentic relationships.
3) TEACHING
Gifted teachers have a way of making students out of disinterested bystanders. The best leaders have an infectious thirst for knowledge, and they take pride in cultivating knowledge of their craft and awareness of their industry. A leader's teaching ability depends upon ongoing personal growth. As Howard Hendricks said, "If you stop growing today, you stop teaching tomorrow."
4) DEVELOPING
The best leaders understand the differences between training people for tasks and developing people to be better leaders.
5) MOTIVATING
Sustained motivation comes by creating the right environment for your people and by doing the right things consistently to nurture them. Consider a flower. It cannot grow in the Arctic; it requires a climate conducive to growth. Yet, even in the right environment, the flower must be planted in hospitable soil, exposed to sunlight, watered, and freed of weeds.

Just a thought.

PSA

a Biblical thought...
People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said. "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak." (Mark 7:37)

a Book thought...
When we become a part of other people’s world instead of expecting them to become a part of ours, we sometimes see a whole network of people experience the transforming power of the gospel. (p80 Logan & Miller)

a Dave thought...
We had a great discussion in our cell group last night as we looked at the book of Jude. As we looked at v23 where it says to show mercy to those who doubt we began to talk about the large numbers of our peers who have stopped attending church and have had doubts about the gospel but maybe more so about the church. As we had a few Uni and post grad students there the discussion then went on to how the one way teaching style that once happened at our tertiary institutions is now rarely seen and has been replaced by problem-based learning. It seems the church still believes in a lecture style approach where maybe a lot of other parts of society have moved on to an approach to learning that involves more interaction. I believe in the PSA - that is we are as a nation now Post Sermon Australia. So with only 7% of Australians attending church on any given Sunday and numbers continuing to fall perhaps it is time to replace the sermon with something that makes us think rather than just listen.

Just a thought.

Top 10 Christian Blogs

a Biblical thought...
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. (Mark 6:34)

a Book thought...
Conversion is often gradual and communal, it is both a theological process and a sociological process. (p78 Logan & Miller)

a Dave thought...
I thought some of you maybe interested to know what the world is reading in regard to Christian blogs so here is the top ten http://www.blogs.com/topten/patton-dodds-top-10-christian-blogs/

Here is one of the excerpts titled...

To my daughter at fifteen http://www.reallivepreacher.com/node/379

And to any girl who needs a blessing.
Beloved daughter, we have arrived at the time of life where I cannot give you everything you want and need. We have come to the time where you must learn to walk alone. That is hard for me, but it is right and good. It is the way things should be.
Listen to me now, for there are things I want to tell you as you stand, trembling, on the edge of womanhood.
You are a tender young woman, compassionate and kind. You believe in goodness and work for it. You care about the feelings of others. You are a loyal and faithful friend. You are brave enough to trust others, and others are not afraid to trust you.
Your faith in God is not simple or falsely stated. Your understanding of God is a growing, hurting, questioning, struggling thing. This too is as it should be.

Just a thought.

The Acts 2 Jetty

a Biblical thought...
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe." (Mark 5:36)

a Book thought...
No matter where someone is, whether they know Christ yet or not, they are already somewhere on the continuum of both spiritual development and leadership development. (p76 Logan & Miller)
a Dave thought...
The Busselton Jetty at 1.8km long is one of the main attractions of the town, but I soon discovered it is far more than an attraction but a gathering place that hosts a community of like minded people. These people are fisherman and although there is incredible diversity with all ages from 6 year olds to 80 year olds, different cultures, and even the rich and the poor, they are all accepted and included. Bill (pictured above) was part of this community and accepted Noah and myself as we asked about the art of crabbing, he would give us tips and showed us how to succeed. We met some others who gave us some real bait (lamb necks!), and others who invited us back the next night so they could help us perfect the art. No one was in a rush and all were willing to share whatever they could to help each other understand and enjoy fishing. It was a fine community and there is a lot we as the Church can learn from the different communities average Australians are attracted to. I've missed the Acts 2 Jetty my last few nights but I'm sure they continue to welcome and accept all who come there way even though I've moved on.

Just a thought.

Busselton

a Biblical thought...
He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. (Mark 4:26)

a Book thought...
Learning is a relational process - something done within the context of community and real-life ministry, not simulation. We learn as we go. (p70 Logan & Miller)

a Dave thought...
It was great to get away to Busselton for the last couple of weeks on holiday with my family. This town located 230km south of Perth is on the ocean and is famous for having the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere. The 1.8km jetty was very attractive to our family and we walked it most days and ended up catching a crab there on the last night.

As Kylie's parents were stationed there as COs in 1973 it was great to revisit her birth place and drop into the local corps on the Sunday. Captain Scott Smallcombe is doing a great job and although the congregation is small it has doubled over the last 12 months and the future is looking bright. When we stepped in the door at 10am on Sunday the first words I heard were "you must be a Collinson" which was then followed by the same lady commenting to my wife "and you must be a Hamilton". It is amazing being able to drop into most Salvation Army Corps across the territory and be recognised as children of officers of which we both value our heritage, but then again it would also be good to just be a first generation Salvo and sometimes just visit anonymously.

Just a thought.