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.