Author: Pastor'sPonderings

Just a guy who asks questions, considers life and tries not to take any of it for granted

My Morning (Poem)

The birds are singing – my alarm clock, 

as the sun peaks into my room

bending its way through our sephia blinds

winding up to the bed post

creeping in and under these eye lids…okay

I will rise, embrace this new morning.

 

stepping over discarded toys on the stairs

blurred vision, grog in my head

weighted by a slumbering dream; 

taking promise of the sunrise, 

and the brewer in hand

thick ebony grounds are scooped up, 

some granules, over flowing, coat my fingers…
i let them linger, allowing its redolent flavors to waft..

ignition of the senses, eyes gather focus 

pouring water deep down into its reservoir…

then I wait.  

Shaking cobwebs from the edges of my mind

percolating coffee, smooth romance to my ears

I think to myself, ‘watch pot never percolates’ 

and fathom countless minutes before my cup is poured

taste buds salivate linger and long for this morning’s first taste

as if all other mornings we have be deprived

and never tasted its succulent grace.

This is my morning.  

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General Election…An Officer’s perspective, and a call to a Month of Prayer.

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I’ve read a number of news stories, blogs and opinion pieces on General Bond and her subsequent retirement.  I’ve re-posted some here on my blog as well as commented on others.  I’ve even discussed this topic with other Officers ‘out there’…it’s fodder, news and it all effects us in some small way.  

It’s common to speculate on the sudden departure of General Bond.  It was certainly not something anyone would have anticipated until next year at her ‘scheduled’ retirement date. However, that being said I do think that simply stating ‘personal reasons’ should be respected.  We may wish to know more.  We may yearn to understand why our primary leader within The Salvation Army suddenly retired, but I seriously doubt that our queries and questions with get answered.  Do I wish there had been more information released from IHQ or from General Bond herself?  Of course I do.  But I also feel that if someone wishes to keep private matters private then we ought to respect those wishes.

Obviously one who is in Authority, as General Bond was, could have helped the Army world understand and even accept her sudden departure had more information been included instead the seemingly cryptic notice.  I believe this would have staved off all of this idle speculation.  But what’s done is done.  We as an Army march on!  We still have a war to engage and so engage we will!  

Secondly, I do not think it wrong to question our authority from time to time.  Even authority within our Army needs sharpening.  But we should also temper our questioning with wisdom, prayer and godly prudence.  After all, every authority regardless if it is the General, Commissioner, Colonel, Major, Captain or Lieutenant are all people fallible and imperfect.  But as I say this I also interject that if we are a holiness movement our actions, respect and love ought to permeate even these dialogues and ponderings.  

That being said, I pray for the upcoming proceedings as Commissioners from around the world gather at the High Council in July.

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Month Long Prayer Intiative: 

 

 I also petition that until then (June 21st – July 29th just over a month) that we as an Army enter a season of prayer.  As we pray; lift up our leaders and Retired General Linda Bond, pray for fellow Officers on the field, pray for the Soldiers around the world, this Mission God has placed us in.  

We march on as One Army, but first let’s gather on our knees in prayer!

Sincerely, 

Scott Strissel, Captain.

 

 

 

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Some Say…(Poem)

Some Say

that these moments 

will all fade away 

like the waning of the seasons

never to return again. 

Some say 

there is no turning back

no joy in the journey

no rhyme and no reason.

Some say

all we are is now

nothing waits 

nothing begs us for more.

Some say

our dying breath

each staggered step

leads to nowhere.

Some say…

but fools maybe,

I don’t buy the lie

there’s too much

to fathom that I cannot

comprehend.

Some say

but they don’t

sway me.

I know that I 

have been set free.

That’s what 

saves me, 

This Savior at Calvary

Some Say, 

I Say Believe

He is the way.

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“Questions swirl as Salvation Army leader steps down” BY Mark A. Kellner

 

(Source: http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jun/20/kellner-questions-swirl-as-salvation-army-leader-s/ )

KELLNER: Questions swirl as Salvation Army leader steps down

By Mark A. Kellner

 

Thursday, June 20, 2013

ANALYSIS/OPINION:

One of the world’s best-known charitable organizations — though not always recognized for the global evangelical Christian church that it also is — suddenly and unexpectedly finds itself needing a new global chief executive.

The 148-year-old Salvation Army, which has its international headquarters in London, announced June 13 that General Linda Bond would retire immediately as international leader. Word of the retirement of Miss Bond, who was elected in January 2011 and assumed office four months later, sent shock waves through the Army’s church community, a fellowship of 1.7 million members worldwide, including approximately 130,000 adults, children and “adherents” in the United States.

The official announcement was direct, if a bit cryptic. It went out over the name of Commissioner Andre Cox, a Swiss Salvation Army officer who since earlier this year has served as the organization’s second in command: “I write to inform you that General Linda Bond is entering into retirement,” Mr. Cox wrote. “Following a period of personal reflection and prayer, General Bond has decided that she should relinquish” the office.

There are several reasons the news sparked concern in some Salvationist precincts. One is that such midterm retirements are rare. Another is that Miss Bond had just returned to London after several days in St. Louis, where she attended a rally with about 3,000 church members. Reports from the event indicated a leader who was quite happy in her role, who gave no hint of the pending announcement.

A chief element for concern is that Miss Bond suddenly left a top administrative job once before: In August 2004, after about two years as leader of the army’s USA Western Territory, which covers 13 states and several U.S. Pacific island areas, she resigned, citing “personal reasons” and without giving notice.

General John Larsson, the army’s then-leader, “accepted her resignation with regret and acknowledged her outstanding contributions during her officership,” according to a report in New Frontier, a regional Salvation Army periodical. Within a year, Miss Bond returned to active service, eventually taking another “territorial command” in Australia from which she was then elected to the top worldwide post.

Requests for additional information from the army’s international headquarters yielded little additional information: “General Bond’s retirement was an entirely personal matter,” spokesman Kevin Sims wrote. Major Dean Pallant, another spokesman, stressed the “personal” nature of Miss Bond’s decision but was unable to provide any further details.

This time, though, one thing is different: Miss Bond’s retirement signals an end to her 44 years of active service as an ordained minister in the Salvation Army church; no return to service is contemplated or even seems possible. A “high council” of international leaders, will convene near London on July 29 with 118 members — 64 women and 54 men — with an average age of 59, according to the army.

Days of prayer and speeches by those selected as candidates will follow, along with a series of votes. No white smoke will appear as at a Vatican conclave, but the winnowing process has some similarities.

Two Americans may well be among the leading candidates for the job, which normally carries a five-year term. One is Commissioner Barry Swanson, who heads Salvation Army operations in the northeastern United States, who was Miss Bond’s second in command from May 2010 until February of this year. Another is Commissioner James Knaggs, a veteran officer and leader of the USA Western Territory once headed by Miss Bond.

Miss Bond’s sudden departure will likely have little effect on the day-to-day operations of the Salvation Army, either globally or in the United States. That said, the army’s church members, clergy and many of its employees might well seek more in the way of an answer than the catch-all of “personal reasons.” Given that the organization’s world headquarters is a glass-walled building — “its glass exterior communicates our transparency,” one leader said at its 2004 opening — some greater openness on this latest executive change would be welcome by many.

• Mark A. Kellner can be reached via email at mkellner@washingtontimes.com.

 

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“Step up and Go!”

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Jesus gathered them together.  The ‘twelve’ probably wondered what was next.  They had been with Him for a while.  They had witnessed miracles by His hand.  Been eye witnesses to the multitudes of people who came to hear Him teach.  Now Jesus called them to Him for some kind of closed door ‘huddle’.  “What would He say?” some of them wondered.  These disciples were still young men and in awe of their Rabbi.

They moved in close as Jesus looked into their faces and smiled.  His smile warmed them, made them feel accepted and loved.  Then He blessed them.  Any disciple would be honored to be blessed by their teacher.  Yet He went beyond the customary blessings.  He gave them authority.  With hands raised and face lifted up, Jesus granted them power and authority over all demons and diseases.  Then, He lowered His gaze and looked once more into their eyes.  He spoke to them and gave them instructions to go and preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Jesus sent them out to do what He had been doing.  They had been witnesses of His words and deeds and now the disciples were to go and emulate the Teacher.  There was a flutter in the stomach.  A tinge of nervousness in the air.  The young men had been instructed to go.  They had been instructed to preach and to heal.  A few wary looks were exchanged.  Someone coughed nervously.

Jesus wasn’t done though.  He gave them additional instructions;  “Take nothing for the journey, neither staff nor bag, nor bread, nor money…don’t even pack an extra tunic.” (Luke 9:3)

Jesus sent His disciples out with nothing yet everything that they would need.   He granted them a kind of authority only the Son of God could grant. They went and did as He had instructed.  Some most likely encountered strong resistance.  Others witnessed the mighty moving of God through their faithfulness.  Every disciple who was sent learned something in their ‘sending out.’

This on-the-field training of the disciples was a turning point for them.  They didn’t have it all  together yet.  But they went.  Jesus empowered them in their sending out.  He gave them what they needed most: authority and experience.

Still to this day Jesus is calling us out.  He is calling us to step up.  He wants to use us for His purposes and to preach the kingdom of God!  The authority is His, but the ability to go is ours.  Will you go where He sends you?  He doesn’t send us out empty handed, but He gives us what we need for the mission!  When you say ‘yes’ step up and go!  Don’t be afraid or fearful of what others might think…He is sending you because He believes in you!

“So they (the disciples) departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.” (Luke 9:6)

A prayer chorus comes to mind:

“For thy mission make me holy, 

For thy glory make me thine, 

Sanctify each moment fully,

fill my life with love divine.”

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Another good article on the topic of The General:

(source: http://fsaof.blogspot.com/2013/06/why-did-pope-resign.html  by Sven Ljungholm)

The General’s Site is Suspended

The resignation was sudden and virtually unprecedented – the last voluntary resignation celebrated in high medieval times; 1294. There has since been lots of expressions of both speculation and indignation about the cause, in spite of Pope Benedict’s stated reason being his waning strength. I found his reason logical and therefore perfectly acceptable. But millions of Catholics didn’t and so rumors continue to run rampant. As Cardinal, Ratzinger was Pope John Paul II’s enforcement officer – he rode herd on the many sex scandals and their “containment.” The end result of what might be learned will depend on what the church decides to reveal.

Still, was there not something just a wee bit awry about the abruptness in the announcement of his stepping down? But my interest is not so much in the Pope’s sudden resignation, but this time, in our own church’s’ international leader’s. The similarities are noteworthy as Salvationist too are at the mercy of our leaders; “The end result of what might be learned will depend on what the church (IHQ) decides to reveal.”
 
OK, our membership is in the low 1 ½ millions, theirs in the billions. But perhaps that’s just why our global, yet closely linked family, felt it unjustifiable to be informed so abruptly and with a message far too brief! Being united, as we are, One Army, One Mission One Message, what we got was; one brusque message! The abrupt memo and the General’s apparently hasty exit provided the rudiments on which speculation and controversy nourish. And surely this should have been foreseen. Borrowing a phrase from the land where I reside; ‘bad form, sirs!’
 
 
 
The High Council elects Linda Bond

We’re asked to simply accept that the General has decided to retire and look past the decision-making factors; fair enough. But, troubling is the manner of her departure from the ‘high’ office to which she’d been elected, in which we place our trust; the leader who is lifted in prayer by hundreds of thousands of Salvationist and others every day. We feel let down and are disappointed in how the system acted out its policy, if indeed there was one. No advance word of any kind to anyone, at least not to the million plus lower-level shareholders.
 
One Army, One Mission, One Message
 
General Lind Bond had just returned to her office from St Louis – probably hadn’t even completed unpacking her suitcase before the retirement letter began to take form  – Some see the sudden departure as a form of denial of her sacred Covenant. Others see the controversial departure as a betrayal, but not quite certain whom to blame; an individual, a group or the organizational policy processing?
 
The General returns from a God glorifying Congress and Commissioning in St. Louis, USA Central Territory where there were more than 3,000 Salvationists enjoying music, laughter, fellowship, and even confetti raining from the ceiling. The Salvation Army had a wonderful weekend because ‘General Linda Bond, International Leader of The Salvation Army, ordained and commissioned 32 Salvation Army’.
 
 
 
 
The internationalism was considered in transmitting the global missile, but perhaps not its consequences.

Following THE whirlwind weekend the General jets across the USA and the NorthAtlantic, home to London. A meeting is called and the next day we’re told: “I write to inform you that General Linda Bond is entering into retirement. – Following a period of personal reflection and prayer, General Bond has decided that she should relinquish the Office of the General with effect from 13 June 2013”.    Today!  “The General’s decision to step down comes after 44 years of ministry.” 

Why not this instead; ‘The General, who’ll celebrate her 67th birthday in two weeks has decided to retire on July 13 following 44 years of faithful service on three continents and visits to… And, education … And, … During the next several weeks she’ll be in Canada making preparations for her retirement, returning to London for a farewell meeting celebrating her many years of faithful service. Details will follow’.
 
Was no thought given to the chaos such a terse announcement would cause in a global village SA world? Within seconds of pressing ‘SEND’ at IHQ a hundred thousand IPODS, IPADS and laptops announced the news. Troubling, alarming due its brevity. We read the message a second time asking, “Where’s the rest”?! There must be more…
 
And a week later, silence, with the exception of hundreds of thousands asking in hushed tones, ‘any more words about our General?’
 
And then today: 

 
Can we expect, as is the custom, that the General will be there to welcome the newly elected successor? 

 
May God richly bless General Linda Bond in her retirement. And may God bless the Salvation Army! 
 
 
Sven Ljungholm
Former Officer
USA, Sweden, Russia, Ukraine
Living in the UK
Birkenhead Central Corps
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Update Newsletter from IHQ today:

CHIEF OF THE STAFF CALLS HIGH COUNCIL TO ELECT 20TH SALVATION ARMY GENERAL

// 18 JUNE 2013 //

THE Chief of the Staff, Commissioner André Cox, has summoned members of the High Council to meet on 29 July 2013 for the purpose of electing the 20th General of The Salvation Army. All leaders who are commissioners on active service or who are territorial commanders or territorial presidents of women’s ministries of whatever rank qualify for membership of the High Council.

This High Council will be the largest in the history of The Salvation Army. There will be 118 members – 64 women and 54 men – with an average age of 59. Fifty-four will be attending a High Council for the first time. Twenty-six have appointments in the Americas and Caribbean Zone and 24 in the Africa Zone. The South Pacific and East Asia Zone supplies 21 members, Europe 18 and South Asia 15. Fourteen International Headquarters commissioners complete the total of 118 members.

The High Council will not meet at its usual venue of Sunbury Court in Sunbury-on-Thames, United Kingdom, as this historic venue is presently undergoing a major refurbishment. Instead, it will meet at the Renaissance Hotel, near Heathrow to the west of London. This is not the first time the High Council has convened away from Sunbury Court – in 1934 and 1939 proceedings took place at Clapton, in the East End of London. 

The Chief of the Staff will preside over the opening of the High Council until such time as a president and vice-president have been elected. The deliberations of the council will then be directed by the president, preparing the way for nominations for the office of General and the election of the next international leader of The Salvation Army.

International News Releases will be issued from time to time during the course of the High Council and will be available on the International Headquarters website. The announcement of the new General will be webcast so people all around the world will learn the identity of the new General at the same time.

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The Original ‘300’

300 movie

The movie 300 is about to get a sequel.  According to IMDb 300 ‘Rise Of An Empire’ will hit theaters in 2014.  Like its predecessor this new installment will undoubtedly be a total macho movie with frequent action sequences and lots of blood and gore.  But before anyone ever yelled out “For Sparta” another army of just 300 soldiers fought insurmountable odds and completely decimated their enemy.  Although the Bible doesn’t specifically say how many Midianites Gideon and his band of 300 hundred defeated, they had to have numbered in the hundreds of thousands.

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Gideon’s name means ‘Destroyer’ or ‘Mighty Warrior’, and yet the first time we encounter Gideon in the Bible he is threshing wheat in hiding so that the Midianites don’t find him.  Our first impression of this ‘Mighty Warrior’ isn’t exactly encouraging.  Yet an Angel of the Lord comes and pays Gideon a visit, and uses his name’s meaning by saying, ‘Mighty Warrior’ the Lord God is with you!  Gideon isn’t exactly full of confidence and even challenges the Angel’s announcement by essentially saying, ‘how can God be with us when we are being oppressed?’  Still the Angel is unfazed by Gideon’s doubt and commands him to go with the strength that he has and save Israel from the clutches of the Midianites.

If doubt and shock wasn’t enough, Gideon’s next statement puts things into perspective, he says; “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest…and I’m the least in my family?” Has Gideon lived up to his name ‘Might Warrior’ yet?  No, he hasn’t, in fact far from it.  But can you blame the guy?  He has seen the devastation caused by Israel’s enemy and he also recognizes that his family is the smallest and weakest in all of Israel.  Why would God possibly choose him?  Fast forward nearly a hundred and fifty years later and God appoints another ‘least of these’ to be King of Israel, a guy by the name of David.

I think God’s plan for Gideon and even David had less to do with human might and more to do with His awesome power!

Gideon had a tough time believing that he was indeed called by God.  He even tested God numerous times just to be sure, and finally after Gideon had his requests met by God, He puts together an army that’s boasted 22,000 soldiers.  Wow, what a force of might by Israel!  But that wasn’t how the Lord planned to defeat their enemies.  Gideon’s forces are dwindled down to 10,000…but that was still too many soldiers for what God had in mind.  Finally after one more soldier ‘thinning’ episode at the banks of a body of water only 300 soldiers remained.   This battle wasn’t ‘for Sparta’ either, this was for the Lord!

gideon

I don’t know about you but that math just doesn’t seem to add up.  How could an army of only three hundred ever defeat the vast and ferocious forces of the Midianites?   Enter God’s power, might and perfect battle plan.  He gives Gideon the battle plan and it’s unorthodox yet totally effective.  Isn’t that how God seems to work?  He uses the least of these for His purposes and when the battle is won there could be no doubt who it was that provided the victory!   So it was with Gideon and his army of 300.  Against all odds and an unorthodox battle plan, God brought a mighty army to its knees in defeat!

Still to this day, God can use us, the ‘least of these’ to win mighty victories in this world!  Our God can lead us against all odds and bring mighty foes to their knees.  Sometimes we may have doubts like Gideon did and faith just doesn’t come easy, but we serve a God who always keeps His promises and He will be there for us in the midst of our toughest battles.  Trust Him, He won’t let us down, and He calls us ‘Mighty Warrior’ even when we feel much less than mighty.

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Electing a new General of The Salvation Army…(UPDATED)

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In reference to last week’s update on the office of General and that of our call to prayer, I would like to explore a little on the topic of how the Generals of The Salvation Army are elected. Of course usually an election of the General takes place at the end of the term of a General or when they reach the age of retirement. This time, however, circumstances as they are the High Council will convene hopefully some time later this Summer, in order to elect our next General of The Salvation Army.

As mentioned last week, General Linda Bond entered retirement abruptly and in the wake of her retirement the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Andre’ Cox will lead this Army in the interim until the High Council is able to meet.

It is interesting to note who makes up the High Council and those with a casting vote. Territorial Commanders from around the world, some times this has numbered 100, last election cycle this numbered 109. These international and IHQ Leaders will gather together for prayer, deliberation and finally a decision. I would welcome your take on the High Councils process, and additional information that perhaps I have overlooked. I also recognize that when the High Council convenes they do so with reverent intent and much prayer. Though every church has its politicking, I would tend to regard this electoral process as prayerful and deliberately considerate of many things including age of specific candidates as well as the needs of our Army as a whole.

***Updated:  Since I initially wrote this the official Summons has been sent to all Territorial Leaders around the world and High Council will begin Monday, July 29th, 2013 at the Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel.  What I find encouraging about this process is that three days prior to the beginning of the High Council and its election process, starting on Friday, July 26th leaders will convene for prayer. ***

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(General Bramwell Booth)

HISTORY:

It is interesting to note some of the history of the High Council. The Salvation Army High Council can remove Generals from active service should the present General have health issues which would make them unfit to serve. This has only happened one time in its 109 years in existence when the then General Bramwell Booth was away from International Headquarters for several months time due to ‘health’ and he was asked to resign, when Bramwell, who was then 73 years old, refused a High Council was called and convened to vote for his removal. With a vote of 55 to 8, the High Council followed through with its plan to remove General Bramwell Booth as leader of The Salvation Army. The only problem was that General Bramwell Booth wasn’t ready to relinquish his role as General and Commander of the Army. He took his case to parliament (court) and hoped that a different result would come of the British court system getting involved. His attempt, however, failed and after two months of deliberations the court ruled in favor to uphold the High Council’s decision to have Booth removed as General.

Here is a good book for further reading on the above topic, written by General John Larrson: Image

As mentioned before please continue to keep The Salvation Army leadership in your prayers as well as the Chief of the Staff Commissioner Andre’ Cox as he leads us in the interim.

Information for continued reading:

Here is a link to see how the day to day proceedings from 2011 took place:

http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/highcouncil2011

Currently we are unsure as to when this event will take place, but we do know that the High Council will be called and will convene later this summer, 2013.

I will attempt to post updates when possible. Here are a couple of links to help anyone interested in learning more about the high council and how it works:

http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/highcouncil

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Council_of_The_Salvation_Army

Image(2011 High Council World Representatives & Army Leaders)

A CALL TO A MONTH OF PRAYER: https://scottstrissel.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/general-election-an-officers-perspective-and-a-call-to-a-month-of-prayer/

 

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A Summer tune on Father’s day (Poem)

It’s hot outside.

Not hot like Alabama

Or any of the deepsouth

But in the Minnesota

summer sun, the warmth

brings solace on this sleepy afternoon.

I am on the back porch

Under the shade

In the June summer air.

Legs kicked up,

breathing deep, trying to soak

the free moments as they come.

The TV flickers

bunny ears spread wide like

a waiting hug.

The US Open, cheering

sounds of the outdoor fairways

whisper in my ears.

It’s father’s day…

The summer afternoon

Hums along to the growls

and groans of mowers

And passing traffic in the street.

Ethan, my five year old

Is rocking in the chair across from me

it creaks out a mellow protest

as he hums his own tune.

It’s funny the things we learn

When we’re young…

Wisps and flaxen strands

blonde hair blowing

Lips puckered as he

faces the brush bronzed

Three cycle fan…

His humming echoes on and out

As the fan blades carry its dissonant melody

Along the sides of the house.

He is amused and keeps on his

funny little melody that only he knows.

This is summer bliss

The sounds of the tournament

In my ears, with eyes drooping

Soon to drop closed like the curtains

In the rooms upstairs, welcoming the shadows

and the dreams waiting in the wings.

A summer breeze blows

Through the small backyard,

chasing leaves, swirling in circles

down the walkway and up the stairs

Of this deck…

Ethan continues to hum his song

and gets some backup singers

As the fan blows the summer

Dreams along.

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