Resolutions or revolutions

My old grandmother used to say that some people's promises are like pie crusts - made to be broken. New Year resolutions may soon be broken. So why bother? D.H.Farmer wrote, 'The true vow is the attempt to capture the high and serious moment, to take it out of the transciencies and make it one of the permanencies of the soul's life, to condense out of the vapour of feeling a solid mass and momentum of directed will'.
It helps us to keep our promises if we call other people to witness them - as happens in a wedding ceremony. We are also helped if our vows are made to God and with a consciousness of his presence and available help.
A life without vows, like a long sentence without punctuation marks, is likely to sag. But meaningful vows help us to live by our high moments and not our low ones. Resolutions then lead to revolutions in life and living.

Post Christmas

The post-Christmas period can be something of an anti-climax.'Shopperolics'may find some relief in 'retail therapy'but for the rest of us it may be a case of taking a deep breath before launching into the New Year. But we might learn a lesson from the rustic shepherds who were first on the scene after the birth of Jesus Christ. Having seen the baby we read that the shepherds returned to where they were living in nearby nearby fields 'praising God for all the things they had heard and seen' (Luke 2.20).For them the glow and the glory didn't pass as a dream. They took Christmas with them back to the hum-drum task and the familiar setting. And life copuld never be the same again!

At home or abroad

When I first came to live in Australia nearly thirty years ago I mostly felt almost as much at home as at home in the UK. But one thing seemed more than passing strange and that was Christmas. To hear a Salvation Army band playing, 'See amid the winter's snow while perspiration poured down the musicians' faces was odd, to say the least. I had to adjust my thinking and adapt to the climate in the southern hemisphere, realising that Christmas was not merely a date on a calendar or tied to particular climatic conditions. It was meant to be an experience in the heart. G.K.Chesterton wrote of Bethlehem as a place where God was homeless and all men are at home. And so,wherever we are we can be at home with the Christmas story and find a universal application of the truth that God is with us wherever we may be.

Where are you going?

In the Christmas story those who sought Christ came from very different locations, from near and far. The shepherds came from down the road in the shepherds' fields. The wise men journeyed from another country. But the most important thing was not from whence they came but where they were going. They were all intent in finding Jesus and knowing the truth about him. Whether we come from poor circumstances or with the proverbial silver spoon in the mouth is beside the point. What matters is where we are aiming in life. We can all find in Jesus Christ the perfect form of whatever truth we possess - as long as we keep right on searching to the end of the road.

Birds of a feather

It is said that birds of a feather flock together. In other words, people of like mind find encouragement in the company of those who share their interests. My wife and I enjoyed a Christmas meal with a company of retired Salvation Army officers whose years of service around the world would add up to many thousands. As far as I know none of those present were millionaires. Their chosen profession didn't pay that well in dollars and cents. But they would be as happy a crowd as you could hope to find. Real riches lie in the knowledge that you have given your best trying to make the world a better place. That is better than money in the bank.

Leadership

I mean no disrespect to the senior leadership of The Salvation Army. After all, I was once part of it as a territorial commander for 11 years and a chief/general secretary for seven years. But I have to say that some of the best initiatives in our ovement have come from the bottom up rather than from the top down.Take the wearing of uniform, for example. Commissioner Catherine Bramwell-Booth, granddaughter of our founders, told me that it was not introduced because of an edict from headquarters but because of the desire of ordinary salvationists to show whose side they were on.
Following the recent 'Connections' convention I believe there will be many new ideas in our movement and ideas have legs! I notice a spontaneous 'Youth Speak' feature has appeared on the internet (www.beyondconnections.com.au)and I guess I will not agree with all the ideas which will be expressed but I am sure I will be thrilled by the enthusiasm engendered. After all, the literal meaning of the word enthusiam is 'full of God' and really, that is what being a salvo is all about.

Connections

The Salvation Army's Connections convention in Melbourne has been fabulous with huge crowds gathering and much to inspire. The Army's leaders, Commisioners Jim and Carolyn Knaggs, have given splendid direction and this should lead to even greater things. Of course, the important point about a convention is not just what people feel during it but what they do after it. The mission of the Army has once again been brought into focus with the way ahead being plain. Now it is a case of 'going for it.

Sanctified cheek

I have a cheek, Lord,
approaching the Chief Executive
of the universe on minor matters,
and little affairs of my little life.
In one sense I would not presume
To use you,
Only hope you may see fit to use me.
Yet I need help and to whom else can I go?
You did say, in effect,
your door was always open.
So, I've taken you at your word,
aware of your greatness,
amazed by your grace,
reverent in heart,
emboldened by faith.
Pardon my cheek, Lord,
but I believe you understand.

Wesley Harris

Get connected

Later this month The Salvation Army will be celebrating with a great series of meetings in Melbourne under the title, 'Connections'. The world leader of the movement will be a key speaker and there will be a coming together of Salvationists and friends. There will be an attempt to connect with each other, with the vital issues of these day yes, and with God. A list of events and venues can be obtained from the SA by phoning 9896 6000. See you there!

Uniform

As a Salvation Army editor I had a lengthy interview with the late Commissioner Catherine Bramwell-Booth, a grand-daughter of the founders of our movement. She told me that the wearing of uniform was not something imposed by headquarters but came from the desire of Salvationists to show whose side they were on as Christians. They turned out in in all sorts of rigs which were anything but uniform until it was reallised that common and easily recognised garbs would have a greater cumulative impact. Still, the uniform is meant to be a silent witness to Christian faith and may take on a sacramental significance. Police forces have their plain clothes and uniformed branches, and so does the Church!

SPROC

My wife and I have just returned from the South Pacific Retired Officers' Convention in Adelaide. About 200 ROs from Australia and New Zealand gathered for fellowship, encouragement and prayer. It was a great experience. It was said that the company represented 6000 years of service and there was the throb of true spirituality along with the cameraderie and fun. The singing was outstanding - hearty and meaningful. In these days when congregations are often segmented and when, in some situations, the twain never meet we should recall that at Pentecost the young and the old were specifically mentioned in Peter's sermon. Both need each other and have a part to play. Amen?

Re-visiting

This past week I have been taking some visitors from Scotland to see some of the sites around Melbourne such as the beautiful Dandenongs, Sovereign Hill, Phillip Island etc. I have done this tour before but have still enjoyed my latest visits made in good company. In a similar way I regularly re-visit 'sites' in the Bible and find new inspiration in words which have become familiar over the years. The need is for renewed vision and an ability to see new truth which God has to reveal. The Army Mother said, 'God's revelation will keep pace with my consecration'. Now that is a thought to ponder!

Spirituality and practicality

The Ss on the collars of Salvation Army uniforms stand for 'Saved to serve (or save)' that is, spirituality and practicality. I am encouraged that many Army (church) congregations are more than ever involved in community service - being there when they are needed. But our community service must always be seen as an expression of the gospel and not a substitute for it. Helping people to find God is still the highest form of community service as far as we are concerned. The DNA of The Salvation Army makes that abundantly clear and we must be true to ourselves oin this respect.

Beyond the black stump

When I first came to live in Australia I was intrigued by some characteristic sayings like'beyond the black stump' which I took to be a reference to somewhere remote. This week our prayers have followed Salvation Army leader, Commissioner Jim Knaggs and the Staff Songsters on their visit to various place in South Australia and the Northern Territory. The aim is to make people aware that although they may live in remote places they can be 'up close and personal' with God. In other words, there will be an attempt to proclaim the gospel with words and music. The effort should be well supported by prayer.

Ageism

There is evidence that ageism is alive and well in our society and it works both ways. I have had experience of people who have been ready to dismiss some as 'too young' and others as 'too old'.
Even in some church congregations there is a kind of apartheid based on age instead of recognition that age and youth can complement each other. The ability to contribute to a united whole doesn't depend on the date on a birth certificate but on the quality of heart and mind. There are no useless people. Everyone has something which they can contribute, regardless of age and what is more everyone is needed. This week in my hospital visitation I spoke to a lady who knows she may only have weeks to live but her positive attitude provided a fillip to my own faith. In the past God has used her ability. Now he is using her disability and her buoyant confidence that 'the best is yet to be'.

Following footsteps

A cynic claimed that if people failed in busness they became consultants. If that were true then the present proliferation of consultants would be scary! In fact there is a place for advisors but often people are more ready to follow footsteps than advice. People who can show us how we may succeed have more effect that the theorists who simply tell us. Practitioners challenge us to 'go and do likewise'. In one way or another we should all lead by example.

There's a war on

My ancient memory recalls that during the Second World War the question often asked was, 'Don't you know there's a war on?' It could still be asked for the war against evil is still on and its not a phony war either. It is a war against slavery, addiction, violence, corruption and selfishness of all kinds. To some extent the battle line runs through all our hearts and minds. Salvationists take this seriously which is why they are known as soldiers. More need to be mobilised for battle because for the triumph of evil all it takes is for many people to do nothing.

Salvation safari

It is good to hear that the leaders of Army The Salvation Army based in Melbourne will be going with the Staff songsters on what I would dub 'a salvation safari' in the northern territory. We can pray that the ministry with words and music may be much blessed. Influence flows downhill and no doubt the innovative example of leaders will inspire others to try new approaches to evangelism. Prayer support will be appreciated, I'm sure.

Old and new

I like new things. Some of the innovations of technology are fascinating. But I also value some things which are old. After all, wisdom was not born with this generation. There are treasures of creativity from the past and we would be crass to neglect them. Last night I was present for a programme of Salvation Army classics presented by the Camberwell and Box Hill Bands. I felt that the bandsmen prayed as well as played through their instruments and some of the music from the Army's rich musical heritage brought great inspiration to a packed congregation. By way of contrast. I also attended a men's breakfast yesterday morning when an Anglican vicar with a Salvationist background spoke of his dual role as a minister and a comedian. Some might find the mixture of worship and laughter strange but in principle it is alright by me because I think the Almighty has a sense of humour anyway.

Rollicking religion

Last night there was a packed hall for a gathering under the title, 'The Musical Salvationist'. It featured the kind of music which characterised The Salvation Army in its early days. Before the constraints of copyright law the Army took hold of music hall tunes and set them to distinctive Christian words. Many of the results were upbeat and rollicking. Some of those 'oldies' were featured last night. The musical idiom may have been that of another age but the message was timeless. Some people seem only to have enough religion to make them miserable. Last night we knew what it was to have enough to make us happy.

Caring for kids

The good Lord is full of surprises! Before I retired nearly fourteen years ago I would have ridiculed any suggestion that I should teach children in schools. But God led me to do just that on a voluntary basis and I am still teaching Christian RE in a state school. Among seven or eight hundred children who have passed through my hands are two who have become RE teachers themselves. Praise the Lord! I think that 95% of the children do not attend church and so the little I do is likely to be all the Christian teaching they get. I pray for grace and wisdom for the task. Amen.

The old time religion

It was good to share an 'old time Army' meeting with a fine company of retired Salvation Army officers. Of course, there was some looking to the past but there was also a keen awareness of the challenges of the present and the future. The chosen text was, 'Raise a banner for the nations' (Isaiah 62.10) and account was taken of the trinitarian significance of the Salvation Army flag in which the blue border symbolises the character of God the Father, the red ground the sacrifice of God the Son and the yellow star the empowering of God the Holy Spirit.

The scourge of alcohol

Recently the media have covered many problems triggered by alcohol - abuse: road accidents, brain damage, violence etc. Of course, no-one intends to become an addict but many do for all that. I have yet to meet anyone who seriously regretted not starting to imbibe but have known many who have rued the day when they did start, often because of peer pressure or fear of being regarded as a wowser. Personally I am a total abstainer as a matter of principle and for the sake of example, apart from anything else. (I would hate anyone to follow my example of even moderate drinking and then develop an addiction.) So am I my brother's keeper? To some extent I am - and so are we all.

What price holiness?

Yesterday I went to the launch of a book entitled, 'Authentic holiness'. The subject of the book may not appeal to some who have got wrong ideas of holiness and think it means being humourless or imprcticable or both. But hang on, some of the most holy people I have known have had a twinkle in the eye, been very down to earth - and not a bit dotty! Essentially to be holy means to be set apart for God - a bit like great athletes are set apart for their sport - and that doesn't mean being 'elbowy' or offputting. On the contrary, saints alive don't have haloes but they do have hearts and warm smiles and there are plenty of them about.

Saving time - for what?

Nowadays we have so many time saving devices. I remember that mother did her weekly wash with a scrubbing board. Now we have washing machines to do the job. As a young manI
had to buy myself a bike to get me around. Now a car is deemed necessary. Again this should save a lot of time. Fair enough! But although we have so many means of saving time we always seem to be short of it. How come? What do we do with the time we save? Do we ask God to bank it for us assured that he knows how to get the best interest on it? That sounds like a good idea.

The influence of power versus the power of influence

The other night I watched (again) the DVD about Gandhi and was impressed at how this wizened little man, without wealth or political position could wield such enormous influence. His passion and determination and readiness to sacrifice made a great difference. Could it be that some of us have not been prepared to pay the price of making a difference?

Thank God it's Monday

As a joke (I think) a secretary of mine posted a notice on her office door. It read, 'Thank God it's Friday. I teased her and suggested that her notice should read, 'Thank God it's Monday'. Every new week is a bonus. If our work is a burden we should spare a prayer for those who have none. If we have to deal with difficult people what about those who are housebound and see very few people at all.

Fighting Mac

In preparation for a chapter in a book I am writing I have been researching the life of 'Fighting Mac' - William McKenzie, a Salvation Army padre at Gallipoli and on the Western front. It is often said that Gallipoli defined Australia as a nation. I think it also helped to define Salvos as people who are 'there when they are needed'. Mc Kenzie was right up at the front line and personally took a shovel 'over the top' and buried hndreds of men, tenderly retrieving identity discs and personal items which he later delivered to grieving realatives all over Australia. Small wonder that the largest buildings available could not contain the thousands who wanted to meet and gratefully greet him on his return to Australia. Salvationists don't canonise their heroes but if we did 'fighting Mac' would have to be one of them

Varied opportunities

Opportunities to 'make a difference' are many and varied. Yesterday I taught two classes of children about Moses in Religious Education at a State school. For some such lessons are their only source of information about the Bible. After more than twelve years of teaching I still enjoy the contact - although it is not something I anticipated as a retirement activity! Tuesday is also the day when I join with members of a writers' group. We read material we have written and enjoy each other's company, diverse as our backgrounds may be. Apart from general interest there is an opportunity to share something of one's faith and philosophy of life. I enjoy walking and have a feeling that even in this, through a friendly greeting or smile, it may be possible to make the world seem a friendlier place for someone.

A week beginning

We speak of Saturday and Sunday as the 'weekend' but the early Christians regarded Sunday as the first day of the week and on it remembered the resurrection of Jesus as an incredible new beginning. This weekend can see a glorious new beginning for us because as Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, 'With God every apparent end is really a glorious new beginning'.

Answer depression with a prayer! The psalmist said, 'Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord (4.6). Pessimism is all around us. It is said that a single grain of indigo can colour a ton of water - which shows how infectious the blues can be! But when the outlook was bad the psalmist tried the up look; he answered depression with a prayer. Is that a clue for us?

I heard someone joke that on retirement he intended to sit in a rocking chair for six months. After that he might begin to rock a little! The thought of doing nothing in retirement never appealed to me and after twelve and a half years I am still finding new and exciting opportunities On a voluntary basis I have given religious instruction in a state school to about 700 children over the years - the last thing I would have anticipated doing. Soon after retiring I was approached by a publisher who wanted me to write a book and now I am working on a ninth. Again, that was something I didn't anticipate. Being a person of faith, I would say that God has been good. If we are open to him and his leading we find lots of happy surprises in store. Whatever next?

The founder of The Salvation Army, William Booth, said, 'There should be adaptation of method but continuity of principle'. In other words, in every walk of life methods must change to meet new circumstances but principles like honesty, a desire to serve and loyalty must not change and should be regarded as non-negotiable.

All things new! Blogging is a new experience and hopefully a new opportunity of reaching out to new friends.

Opportunities

I value opportunities of communicating with friends I know and others I would like to know. I have published a number of books and many articles but this week have learnt of the possibility that some of my writings may be recorded for the benefit of blind people. I am delighted about that. As a retired Salvation Army officer I welcome the chance to share something of my faith.