HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well, I thought that I would get in early, as I will probably be asleep when the clock ticks over in out time zone. However, I should be awake when the United Kingdom celebrates.



Ezekiel 36:26 (Message)
I'll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I'll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that's God-willed, not self-willed.


Perhaps those who would commence the New Year with a new resolution should seek the fulfilment of this verse in their lives.

LIVING WORD

John 6:47-48 (Message)
"I'm telling you the most solemn and sober truth now: Whoever believes in me has real life, eternal life. I am the Bread of Life.




The living Word is sufficient for you. Eat it. Devour it. It is the Word of God.
Smith Wigglesworth


Thank you, Jesus, for birthing Your Word in me that I might live by, and feed upon Your Word continually. Amen.

ANYWHERE

Ephes. 6:18 (Message)
In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.


Pray anywhere and everywhere.
Smith Wigglesworth


Father God, grant me the boldness to transform any place I am into an occasion for prayer. Amen.

IN COMMUNITY

As an officer moving from appointment to appointment every few years, I will not have the opportunity to me a life member of a cricket club. There are, however, acknowledgements along the way that are amazing. It is important to be a person of worth in community, other than being an Officer of The Salvation Army.

Three Cricket Club's ago, I was presented with a Bat signed by the 1998 England Test Team. The small plate below the bat reads; Brian Rowe in appreciation for your service to the Torrens Valley Cricket Club.

We do not seek accolades, but we do want to be God's people in community!

Acts 8:25 (Message)

And with that, the apostles were on their way, continuing to witness and spread the Message of God's salvation, preaching in every Samaritan town they passed through on their return to Jerusalem.

RECEIVE

Psalm 107:20 (Message)
He [God] spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death.



The Word of God does not need to be prayed about: The Word of God has to be received.
Smith Wigglesworth


Lord, grant me the strength and boldness to stand firm on Your Word, receiving Your Word for all my needs. Amen.

POSITIVE

Heading into the New Year with a positive attitude.

Ephes. 6:11 (Message)

So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.

GIFTS THAT KEEP GIVING

GIFTS THAT KEEP GIVING.

The Leaders of the Corps decided that the Christmas Day Service offering would be for Bricks to build a Medical College. The offering total to date is $480, which may be added to as some have indicated that they wish to contribute.

At the Chikankata Hospital they are endeavouring to expand their Medical College. Trained medical Staff are urgently needed but also the College needs to be bigger to accommodate the country’s required accreditation standard.

For more gift options, please check out; www.justsalvos.com




Esther 9:21-22 (Message)
. . . calling for an annual celebration on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar as the occasion when Jews got relief from their enemies, the month in which their sorrow turned to joy, mourning somersaulted into a holiday for parties and fun and laughter, the sending and receiving of presents and of giving gifts to the poor.

PICTURE

BOXING DAY

Boxing Day Cricket.

Australia V India. Australia won the toss and elected to bat. At teatime Australia is 3 for 213.
The only interruption to watching the cricket game is by eating another big meal, and drinking lots of coffee and soft drink. This is a good way to rest, after the demands leading up to Christmas.


Psalm 61:4 (Message) A lifetime pass to your safe-house, an open invitation as your guest.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas is here!

Worship this morning was a Church Family time, as we had visitors from three other local fellowships who did not have a Christmas Day Service. I managed to get one of the visitors to do a reading from Isaiah, to help them feel welcome.

Christmas lunch was filling as usual, meat and 9 vegetables. Finished with a small plum pudding with cream, and brewed coffee to finish.


I managed to surprise my wife with a gift that was hidden in the open for over a week. This was the best part of our gifts.



Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

PAUL WASHER

Here is a link to a message from Paul Washer.
The message is 59min. but well worth the time.
Let us all examine ourselves!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuabITeO4l8

WITH LOVE

To all the readers of this blog,

I trust that this Christmas will be a very blessed time with family and friends.
It is also a time to remember and celebrate, as we remember our family and friends who are now with the Lord.
Thank you Lord, for all the people who have helped shape our lives.
Thank you Lord, for your gift of life. Amen.


Psalm 63:3 (Message)
In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains.

Examine

Look around you, what do you see?

An examination of your environment can be of tremendous value as you integrate where you live. Our desire and aim is to represent the present nature of Jesus in the community where we live. There are times when we will be amazed at the examination of life before our eyes.
The life of Jesus represented in the gospels is one of a total awareness of the surrounding culture, moods, and possibilities.

What is happening?
How can I relate in this scenario?
What are the possibilities?




1 John 4:1 (Message) My dear friends, don't believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.

OUR BABY

Well! here is our baby, when she moved into her new unit.

Acts 2:1-2 (Message)

When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building.

SUNDAY'S SCENE

The scene for Sunday, has a person added and some gifts.

Matthew 2:11 (Message)

They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

THE MESSIAH

As we read the events of the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, we can only be utterly amazed! The Magi arrived to pay homage to the new King of the Jews. Were these men involved in occult practices? Certainly they were not from the normal worshiping community of the Jews.
The Magi on arrival in Jerusalem, enquired of the people of Jerusalem, where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? Predator King Herod, on hearing of the inquiry, was greatly disturbed at the possible threat to his throne. He then had a summit of all the past and present Priests and Teachers of the Law. The clever, cunning, of King Herod is seen in the question for the summit to ponder; Where the Christ was to be born? Without acknowledging there was a new king, Herod sought out where to look for any threat to his rule. The Summit deduced from Scripture that the Messiah King would be born in Bethlehem, in Judea.
So, here we have it, a predator and also occult practitioners seeking out the Messiah, while the people who knew most about the Messiah were living in total ignorance, and totally absorbed with their every day life.



Micah 5:2 (Message)
But you, Bethlehem, David's country,
the runt of the litter—
From you will come the leader
who will shepherd-rule Israel.
He'll be no upstart, no pretender.

His family tree is ancient and distinguished.

Christmas In Australia

Our Corps Newsletter contained the following from one of the Soldiers.


CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA

In our lovely golden land
Fringed by sand and surf and sea,
Wide open plains, cool gullies, deep,
Mountain tops of mystery.

This is our home, Australia –
And we long for it to be
A land where Christ is worshipped
In truth, and joyously.

We pray that, at this Christmas time,
Through tinsel, noise and fuss,
We clearly hear the Gospel news,
Christ lived and died for us.

Lived and died, and rose again,
Our living Lord to be.
Oh, may our land, Australia,
Worship His Majesty.

Nell Hodgson



John 3:16 (Message)
"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.

CAROLS & CRICKET

Last night we went to the Shopping Centre to play Carols. We were invited by the Shopping Centre Management, which has not happened for a few years. It was a good time and many people stopped for a few carols.
Two of our people gave out over a hundred and sixty, 2008 Calenders with an invitation to Sunday 23rd and Christmas Day.

This was another great opportunity to make Connections!


Luke 2:14 (Message)
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.


Today I played cricket. We fielded first, and did so through a few misty showers of rain. Sadly not enough rain to wet the ground, but plenty to keep the blades of grass wet. Our ball was a bit like a cake of soap, nice and slippery. We dismissed the opposition for 142. I was in my usual opening position, and was run out for 19, the third dismissal and we were 3 for 60. We passed their score with four over’s remaining and only loosing another two batsman. Our Captain was pleased with the whole day’s effort by the team.


Hebrews 12:1 (Message) Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.

FEEDBACK

Feedback from the inmates at the Prison has been great. The Salvo Chaplain has had reports from the Uniting Church Chaplain, along with the comments from the inmates, and even a letter of appreciation from an inmate.

All the comments have been of appreciation, and thanks, not just for the gifts, but also for the Carols.

This was a great opportunity to make Connections!


Luke 2:14 (Message)
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

THE BIRTH

Are you amazed at the events of the birth?

For us, we had been married for thirteen years before our daughter was born. I remember the events of that birth intimately. It began on Tuesday with a visit to the specialist, who felt that the birth was imminent. In the evening we had Bible Study at the Quarters, and Billie was there, who happened to be the Director of Nursing at the Regional Hospital. She asked if (we) were in labour. Bible study was unhurried with supper afterwards. The husband of one of the ladies present arrived to collect his wife, only to find that his car would not restart, and he was parked behind our car. After waiting an appropriate time his car started, and the Quarters emptied.
Now lets grab some things and go to the hospital, not urgent but I think we should be there!
I won’t bore you with the journey through the night, except I have never seen anyone suck in as much oxygen!
Billie arrived at work very early and called straight into the Maternity Unit, to see if we were there. The Specialist arrived and said he was waiting up all night for a phone call, and he was there to deliver another baby by C/section. Things then moved quickly, the lady who had been prepped for theatre was wheeled back to her room, and (we) took her place. Boy! She was surprised when she woke up to find that she was having her baby the next day!
For us, it was a 10lb 2oz girl, named ~ The Gladness of the Palm Tree is Heavenly. Better known as; Letitia Tamara Celeste, or just Tish.



Matthew 1:20-21 (Message)
While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—'God saves'—because he will save his people from their sins."

PRISON

Last night the band went to prison and they did not keep any of them. It was a great night!
We had freedom to move around the prison, as the inmates were in lockdown. The major benefit was that, rather than a few coming to a chapel service, we were able to visit their (homes) courtyards and play some carols. The reception from the inmates was fantastic, and we were able to dialogue with them through their windows, and doors.
This was the end of a big day for the Salvo Chaplain who had given out the Christmas Presents, and capped it off with the carols.


Luke 2:16-18 (Message)
They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

GENEROSITY

The last couple of days have shown the generosity of people from the community. A man from our Court, dropped in to the Quarters with three boxes of goodies for Christmas, also a Rotary Club has donated thirty Christmas Puddings. Both of these will be of great value when the Christmas Cheer Parcels are put together.

It is truly amazing to see the generosity of people, who support our work with people in the community. The Lord brings people together in a celebration of his birth, even today.

Philippians 3:17. (JB Phillips)

Let me be your example here, my brothers: let my example be the standard by which you can tell who are the genuine Christians among those about you.

CAROLS

Today the Corps had two carolling engagements. The first was at the Sunday Market, and the second was at a Nursing Home. At both places the carols were received well. Although the band had some issue with dust at the first.

The resounding prayer this season is, ‘let earth receive her King!’

Tuesday we go to Prison, and Friday to the Shopping Centre. These should be good times also.



Matthew 1:21 (Message)
She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—'God saves'—because he will save his people from their sins."

FALTERED

Following today’s cricket game the Umpire said that it was the best game that he had umpired this season. It was not that there was a high skill level with both teams. In fact we got them out for 67 runs, and past their score loosing eight wickets. What impacted the umpire was the simple enjoyment of the game, even when decisions did not go the fielding teams way.

I am reminded of the Psalmists view of the Children of Israel’s escape from Egypt. How there was an endeavour, which sustained them on the beginning of their journey, in fact no-one faltered.

Well, there was some faltering on our run chase. Four of our batsmen scored a total of 2 runs. That is 2 zeros, and 2 ones.

It is a good reminder, to not falter in the Christian Journey.




Psalm 105:37 (Message)
He led Israel out, their arms filled with loot, and not one among his tribes even stumbled.

OH, NO!!!

"Did you know that according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid December, while female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. That is after January some time. Therefore, according to every historical rendition depicting Santa’s reindeer, every single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl. They all still have their antlers - I should’ve known. Only women, while pregnant, would be able to drag a fat man in a redvelvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost." (Part of article)

Nigel Skeates (Captain) ~ South Australia Division Newsletter.

HEALING

Apparently when my brother was a young boy, he was walking with Mum and Dad, and must have been dragging his feet as he walked. Dad told him to ‘pick up his feet!’ After a little moment, dad looked around to see my brother bending over with his hands around his ankles trying to lift his feet off the ground.

I can recall my father, telling me to ‘open my eyes!’ Obviously I was preoccupied with something, other than what I should have been doing at the time. After a visit to an Optometrist, and an Eye Doctor, I can imagine Dad using their eye drops that dilate the pupils. Then I would be walking around with my eyes wide open!

The prognosis for the small haemorrhage is that everything should settle back to normal. I have another appointment in mid January to check and confirm the healing progress.

John, Peter, Simon, thanks for your prayer.

Acts 10:38 (Message) Then Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him.

SIGHT

Over the last few days I have had a change in one of my eyes. So today was an appointment with an optometrist. The verdict is a small haemorrhage in the back of the eye affecting the retina. So tomorrow, I’m off to a specialist to see what can be done, or a further diagnosis.



Acts 9:8-9 (Message)
while Saul, picking himself up off the ground, found himself stone blind. They had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus. He continued blind for three days. He ate nothing, drank nothing.

WHICH STAR?

Many people count the Christmas Season as the greatest time of the Year. You may be surprised to know that this is not the case for myself. The demands from the community to fix their problems escalate in ways that are very draining.
For many years we burst our bubble trying to meet the community demands. Then a day or two before Christmas Day, start to think about our own Christmas celebrations. Well, I guess that will not change.
I do have great concerns about the commercialization of the Christmas celebration, with no regard to the wonderful provision of God incarnate.
I vehemently object to occult symbols subtily hijacking our Saviour’s birthday celebrations. I would encourage every reader to discard any stars with 5 points. This will not be an easy thing to do, as the community produce them by the truckload, but I believe that the benefits will follow.




Luke 2:11-14 (Message)
A Saviour has just been born in David's town, a Saviour who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

ANGST

Some of the interesting things in life are how we deal with things, particularly as leaders. You may recall instances in your journey through life that caused some angst.

The Songster Leader addresses the Songsters at rehearsal, about the need to be on time for rehearsal. However the latecomers’ still had not arrived. His frustration was vented to those who already supported him, and the ministry in song.

The Staff Officer addresses the Cadets, about the inappropriateness of a full-blown Afro Hair-style and the Uniform, however only two Cadets had their hair in that style.

The Divisional Staff Officer addresses the Officers in a meeting, and comments that only one Officer has the bookwork done appropriately, and on time. The Junior Officers, who looked to the Senior Officers as mentors, were crushed. If their mentors were unsuccessful how could they achieve an appropriate standard of returns, particularly as there had not been any instruction to assist their apparent inappropriateness? When questioned, the Divisional Staff Officer, retracted his statement as being inappropriate.


It is so easy to speak, without thinking of the consequences.



Matthew 5:23-24 (Message)
"This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.