A hundred years young

The Salvation Army congregation in Camberwell of which I am a member celebrates its centenary this year. For a hundred years Salvationists in the district have been meeting for worship and seeking to witness to the wider community. In 1910 on the first Sunday they came together the Salvationists were on the streets sharing the gospel. Through the years also there has been outreach into the community with practical service to those in need - not as an alternative to the Christian gospel but as an expression of it. Surprisingly the need for such service seems to be greater than ever and the services being offered are also more extensive. In this year of celebration Salvos will be taking their hats off to the past and their coats off for the future, thanking God for the privilege of service.

Traffic in people

When I was at school I understood that traffic in people and slavery had long since been abolished. Now the ugly business has reared its ugly head and may be more widespread than ever. In Australia as elswhere are women lured by false promises and now caught in the web of prostitution. Captain Danielle Strickland of The Salvation Army is one among a number of fearless campaigners against this new/old evil in our midst and should be able to count on the support of all right-thinking Aussies.

Intellectual interlude

When we get older we are likely to have what are euphemistically called 'seniors'moments which I prefer to call 'intellectual interludes'. But 'oldies' are not the only ones likely to be forgetful. Some young people are notoriously likely to forget to pass on phone messages or give thanks for gifts received. But an attitude of gratitude sits well with everybody and helps to make life worth living for all.

Too much of a good thingh?

Can we have too much of a good thing? Is it possible? It may be heresy so say so in Australia but do we go over the top with our sport? Developing physical fitness is fine and so is healthy competition but it seems that sport tends to dominate our airwaves at times. For some it is almost a substitute religion and is given an importance out of all proportion. At one time on one T-V channel a regular news bulletin was suspended during the period of an American golf tournament - a case of stop the world while we chase a little ball. Sport may have its place as a recreation or a diversion but there are more important things - aren't there?

The right to write

I think I must have been born with ink in my veins because from a very early age I was writing verses and essays, poor as they were. The itch to write could not be denied. Now I am grateful for opportunities to write books along with articles galore and to be able to do so without fear of restrictions by a repressive regime with secret police likely to knock on my door. But freedom is not free. It comes with a price and the need for tolerance of views different from our own. Freedom of speech is precious but it must be employed with responsibility and also guarded with vigilance. There is a delicate balance to be maintained. which could easily be lost.

Haiti

Even the most insensitive should have been shocked by the situation in Haiti which has long held an unenviable record as one of the world's poorest countries. Tragedy brings out the best and the worst in human nature. In a Salvation Army children's home unaffected by the quake there are fears that it may be invaded by starving neighbours or gangs seeking any food thought to be within its walls, meagre though that may be. Getting supplies to desperately needy people is difficult because of roads clogged by debris and by people sleeping out for fear of being killed by masonry falling from any buildings. The UN Secretary General is at the scene and hopefully it may soon be possible to bring some order out of the chaos and much needed aid to the desperately needy. Prayer and financial assistance is all that most of us can offer - and should offer - to help.

Cock-a-doodle-doo

It has been said that there is often a lot more 'cock-a-doodle doo' than 'cock-a-doodle-done. The air is often filled with opinions about what should or should not be done by other people and rather less by reports of things done and advances made. It may be hoped that 2010 will be the year of the achiever - a time when we move beyond the talk-fest to positive action on issues such as climate change, people trafficking, binge drinking and road carnage. Never mind the spin and the buck-passing, we need to see something done!

Geting adjusted

Adjustment is a necessary part of living. In a new year we have to remember the change of dateline. Soon the holiday hiatus will be over and we will have to adjust to busier roads and the routine changes in our work. Life cannot stand still. If anything doesn't change its change! But we survive by being adaptable and by moving with the times. That has always been the case, now more than ever, and instead of being daunted we should relish the challenge it brings.