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.