Dear Salvation Army, 10 – Salvationists That Have Inspired Me…

Paul had Barnabas to inspire and encourage him even if they didn’t always get a long in the end.
Paul became Timothy’s mentor who inspired a new generation of the early Christian church.
Throughout history there have been those who have stepped up to lead by example. They have been mentors, accountability partners, strong godly leaders, examples of holiness. Despite all of these things, none of them (and most will freely admit this) were perfect or had it “all together”.

Get this:
Our Army needs more inspiring leaders like the ones I am about to list!
Perhaps this is you…perhaps you are the next generation of leaders about to step up and take this mantle. This isn’t some sort of popularity contest, or ego trip…this is leading and serving as a godly example for others. Many do this without any fan fare.
Most simply want to be like Christ and so they strive daily to humbly serve and become living examples of Him to the rest of us. We certainly need more of these inspiring servants in our Army today!

Scriptural Reminders for us today:
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” -Ephesians 4:2
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ…” 1 Corinthians 11:1
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; ²and walk in love, just as Christ also loved ^[a]you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God ^[b]as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2

This is not an exhaustive list, and I know that as I share my personal list with you, you will undoubtedly have others that come to your mind. Also do not be offended (I will get my self in trouble with family and friends…sorry) if I do not list people that you know, or if I do not mention you…as I have already said this is not an exhaustive list. There are many more!

10 Salvationists That Have Inspired Me…
This isn’t some sort of ranked order, rather this is simply a list that I have currently compiled.
(sorry I may not have pictures for everyone)

1. My Mother and Father – Colonels Dennis and Sharon Strissel

My parents have exemplified godly living to me.
I have witnessed their impact on this army both in the United States as well as in Africa. They have always been servants first. Both my mother and father have been advocates for those without voices and have stood up for the marginalized. I count it an honor to have these two as my parents. They are faithful soldiers even as they head into retirement. They have inspired me to be better, to make the army better, and to never settle for mediocrity when we can, in own selves, do more.

2. Majors Bill and Betsy Cox
If I were asked who exemplifies holiness to me, these two loving people would come to mind. They have been mentors to my wife and me, and like second parents in the army to us.

I know that when I talk to either of them, when I have concerns and problems, they always give careful thought and grace in their responses. They are just genuine people who love the Lord with all of their hearts and it just pours out upon those who are privileged to know them. They make me want to be a better pastor and follower of Christ.

Colonels Dahl restore historical Will Rogers sign at Camp Wonderland.

3. Colonels Marv and Bodil Dahl
Admittedly not the best picture of these two beautiful people, but you must know that Colonel Marv is a painter and despite current physical challenges, he is still a wonderful artist. This picture is recent and both Colonels Bodil and Marv gave 90 hours each to this amazing restoration project.

Words cannot express how encouraging these two saints of God have been to me in this present appointment! These two have been Barnabas’ to us. They are truly servants first and then they offer their wealth of leadership advice! I am inspired by Colonels Dahl because they operate from a place of compassionate care and concern for fellow soldiers and officers. They take the time to listen and they are willing to make time for you.

4. Commissioner Dinsdale Pender
This was years ago. I was just a small boy with parents living on St. Helena Island. My parents where the missionary officers there on St. Helena for four years. I distinctly remember Commissioner Pender coming to the Island for a visit. As the band welcomed him at the seaside docks with a rousing song, he fiddled with his brief case as if attempting to pull out his cornet to play as well. For me the reason he inspired me wasn’t so much what he said, honestly I was a small boy and cannot remember much of that time. But what I do remember of him was his charisma and humor. He made leadership within the Army look smart as well as fun. He always seemed to have a smile and brought a sense of whimsical humor with the concept of leadership.

5. Major Stephen Court and Major Danielle Strickland

Both Stephen and Danielle bring a sense of “in your face” kind of Salvationism that’s been missing in our army for a while (in my opinion). Their ministry has been global, it has challenged me. I truly appreciate their leadership (albeit from afar). I can remember going to a commissioning in which they were the guest speakers. They didn’t hold anything back, and it was powerful. I’m not attempting to puff anyone up here, it was just something I will never forget and it has inspired me within the ministries I have been privileged to lead. Both in their own rights are extremely talented writers and communicators and I admire their willingness to challenge our Army onward!
They are a spark within in our army which has become a catalyst for a new generation of Salvationist!

6. General John Gowans
I remember his leadership as General.
How he spoke of the three legged stool of Salvationism.
His leadership style at times chaffed against some, but I found him to be refreshing. He was a shot in the arm for the Army. He had vigor and passion to see a greater army at work in the world. I admired him and he inspired me to be a better writer and communicator for this army. He also inspired me to push the boundaries of our “bubble” within the Army.

7. TransMission (Southern Territory, USA)
This is the real deal Salvationist. They have a passion to minister to the hearts of young people through music. They are just down to earth guys who love the Lord.

I appreciate how TransMission have incorporated doctrinal truths into their music ministry and their passion and zeal to lead others to Christ is inspiring! Being a movement of holiness, the progression and integration of modern styles of music has planted and watered a seed within a younger generation of Salvationists.

8. Commissioner Clive Adams

Commissioner Clive has been a source of encouragement to me within my officership as well as a writer, contributor and avid fellow blogger that I greatly admire. He is a gifted leader and communicator and another down to earth Soldier who inspires others…plus he’s a fellow Man-United Fan!
When I read his blog postings I am encouraged and enjoy his humor as well as his candid honesty within our Army.
9. Commissioner Harry Read
In my heart I have a special place of poets and Writers.
Commissioner Harry Read is still an avid poet who conjures up lines of thought provoking honesty within the minds of Christ-followers and Soldiers. His ‘Heart-talks’ posted on social media as well as in the printed word inspire me to better articulate this holy path we all walk on. He is a treasure to the army and although I may embarrass him in this post, I admire his ongoing active ministry. He spurs me on, and I am sure he provides this boost in many other Salvationists around the globe.

10. General Albert Orsborn

My life must be Christ’s broken bread
My love His outpoured wine
A cup o’erfilled a table spread
Beneath His name and sign
That other souls refreshed and fed
May share His life through mine
(SASB #512 My Life must be Christ’s Broken Bread)

Obviously I never met General Orsborn, but his words within some of the songs that we still sing in our Army strike me at my core. These lyrics speak to me about holiness, selflessness, servanthood, and what our Army should be all about. I get inspired every time I sing the above mentioned song among others that he has written.

These are just ten Salvationists that have inspired me in my lifetime.
There are many more and, as I have already said, please do not become offended if you or someone you know isn’t mentioned. This is not an exhaustive list.

Question:
Who has inspired you?
Please share your comments below, it is wonderful to hear these rich stories as we testify of God’s redeeming love!

Something more for our Army to ponder today!
To God be the glory, and may we aspire to be all that God has called us to be not only to inspire others but because we deeply desire to be like Christ in every way.

January 27, 2015 3

Dear Salvation Army, Too Much Rhetoric Not Enough Practice??

You don’t have to be in a political office in order to view politics…it’s everywhere including the church.
Church/corps splits have happened because of truly silly things – “the color of the carpet in the sanctuary”…really??

I’m feeling a little feisty today, so please bear with me.

Rhetoric…and Holiness???
The Salvation Army struggles with too much rhetoric and not enough practice sometimes.
What do I mean by this?
We (like any church) are so good at saying all of the right things.
We (like any church) are so good at wearing all the right clothes…ahem the uniform.
We (like any church) are so good at touting our scripture verses and doctrines…but can it become more about outward appearances like when the DC, TC or General comes to visit than about personal/corporate holiness?

Sometimes I feel as if we are very good at polishing the outside of the cup while we just keep neglecting to do the hard stuff like cleaning the inside of the cup (our hearts). We try and try to impress the “brass” with our efforts and works but are we truly living consistently? This isn’t some sort of witch-hunt today. I’m not pointing the finger at anymore more than I am pointing fingers. back. at. myself.

This is Personal…
This is truly personal.
if this resounds with anyone else, then great!
Let’s do something about this together.
I honestly know that I am not the only one who struggles with this.
We are so good at singing ‘the Founder’s Song’ in Holiness meeting and thirty minutes later we’re at our favorite “Sunday Lunch Spot” complaining about the wait time, the server, we barely give a tip and then we complain on our way home about the traffic and some ignorant sap who just cut us off…do you get what I’m saying?

This is Deadly…
I, for one, do not want to be a member of the Salvation Army in Laodicea, if you get what I mean (Revelations 3:14-22).
If I’m honest, I’d rather rip off this uniform and walk away from it all before I start striving to become a pew warmer and a luke-warm one at that. The church of Laodicea, according to Revelation, didn’t get their act together. They didn’t have the passion to serve Christ as His bride. They weren’t on fire for Him, instead they were barely tepid in their faith. Sometimes I feel that in our Army we walk a fine line too. We can utter all of the “catch-phrases” of our Army like “Fire a volley” and “Hallelujah” but on the inside we’re so caught up in the bickering and pettiness that are missing out on the fire of the Holy Spirit. I don’t think we need another Pentecost, it’s already here we are just so caught up in our own issues that we can’t see it…that’s just how I see it…I hope I’m wrong. When did we desire to be a mediocre Army? When did we sign up to warm a pew but as soon as the hard work comes we’re suddenly absent? If we are truly “witnesses for Jesus” why aren’t we more visible with this message in the streets? We cannot hole ourselves up in beautiful Halls of worship and expect the brokeness of neighborhoods to be mended by how well we sing and play an instrument. We’ve got to get on with it! We’ve got to either catch fire and be moved by the Holy Spirit or we need to get out of the way and stop hampering the Spirit and the potential growth of other Soldiers. Either warm up or be spit out.

This is real…
I have felt this sting of conviction.
I don’t write this as a “guilt trip” for anyone before it strikes my heart and brings ME up short first.
We need to stop “playing” army and be army.
We need to stop fighting amongst each other and fight the real war for the souls of those who are lost.
We need to stop spouting half-empty words of rhetoric when our hearts aren’t in it and instead fall upon our faces and recommit ALL OF WHO WE ARE to Christ once more.
We do not need pew warmers and more apathetic bodies in uniforms, instead we need leaders who are servant who will serve and love regardless of where someone came from or what their last name might be.
We don’t have time to play “church politics”…this gets in the way and stunts our growth as a corporate body of holiness.

It’s “Put up” or “Shut-Up” time.
I have seen the walking dead amongst soldiers and officers.
I have seen the passion-less works of apathetic hearts.
I have witnessed the “going through the motions” without a resemblance of the practice of holiness.
We have a choice.
We can either put up or shut up.
We can either live lives worthy of this calling upon our lives, or we can stop pretending and get out of the way.
This is a wake up call.
This is a call to holiness.
This is a reminder that there is more to it than donning on the uniform and spouting all the right words.

How is your heart today?
How is your spiritual journey?
This is something more for our Army to ponder today.
To God be the glory!

January 26, 2015 2

Dear Salvation Army, 5 Healthy Habits For Healthy Salvationists

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” -Mark Twain

How do you become a quality soldier of Christ?
How do you find out why you were born and how to become the very best “You“?
Perhaps you became a Soldier of this Army and wondered to yourself “what next?”
Perhaps there have been those in your life (in the corps, in your family, in the Army in general) who have truly paved the way for you to strive and have set certain quality standards for you to emulate.

Without a doubt we have witnessed negative examples too, but let us focus today upon 5 healthy habits for healthy salvationists. These are obviously transferable and not singularly exclusive to the Salvation Army experience. Certainly I could have easily called this “5 Healthy Habits for Healthy Christians”…but for the sake of continuity and for the sake of a majority of this Salvation Army readership, I will leave it the way it is…you’re welcome. 😉

5 Healthy Habits for Healthy Salvationists

1) Become a Reader (Challenge Yourself!)
I still recall a certain Commissioner whose first question would always be “So what are you reading?”
This was asked to prompt critical thinking and to communicate the importance of reading.
No matter if you are a fast reader (my wife) or you are a rather slow reader (myself), reading challenging material is rather important to developing healthy habits in our lives.

DON’T:
Don’t just read fiction.
I love fiction, it spurs on my creative side and I can easily become immersed in the characters of a good novel…BUT there are numerous quality spiritual writers out there who can challenge us and shake our preconceived understanding of God, the Universe and the world in which we live. If we only reside in the comfortable fiction section of the bookstore or library, we will limit the opportunities for personal growth and further spiritual understanding.

DO:
Do seek out challenging writers of various topics – not just Christian writers.
Do read the works of certain writers that you might fundamentally disagree with. When we simply refuse to read books from certain writers, speakers and thinkers just because of what others have said about them, we may miss out on some critical thinking/development and real teaching moments. Reading these challenging pieces doesn’t mean you have to always agree with them, but refusing to read these works could limit you and prove just how closed minded and small your ideology is. I don’t mean to insult anyone here, but I have heard people speak from uninformed – closed minded perspectives. They sound like fools regurgitating bits of information that others have spouted and rather than discovering it for themselves rely on others to formulate their opinions. When we challenge our understanding of God, even by reading controversial books, we begin to formulate our very own personal spiritual understanding of God. This is vital as we mature in the faith. Challenging traditional and even contemporary views by reading books from various authors from a wide spectrum of thought can help us to better define our love relationship with the Most High. I will caution you though, in the same breath, to be on the lookout for crackpots, charlatans and heresies for they do certainly exist.

2) Ask The Hard Questions
When we become “readers” we in turn begin to develop and formulate difficult questions that we ourselves cannot answer. Do not shy away from such conversations of faith. Also do not be afraid to ask these questions to those with whom you know to be more mature in the faith. It is not wrong to ask such questions. It helps us to grow and become healthier followers of Christ. When we refuse to step up to such challenges, we could very well be limiting the possibility of growth that could occur in such ventures of spiritual exploration.

Understand too that pillars of our faith have walked these paths before us. These “saints” of Christendom did ask the difficult questions. These “saints” of Christendom did not bypass such important defining ventures of faith. Do not be afraid to ask and to seek out that which currently is unknowable to you.

3) Accountability, Mentors & Sharpening
In order to possess the healthy habits of reading and asking the difficult questions as a Salvationist, there is also the crucial need for accountability and mentors which help us to sharpen and hone ourselves into spiritual maturity. It is understandable that maintaining a consistent accountability partner or mentor can be daunting and sometimes impossible, but strive to continue to seek out these people in your life. Sometimes these individuals will change over time as people move in and out of our lives. We NEED the assistance of fellow believers to spur us onward in becoming healthy Christ-followers. Here within this vulnerable yet safe environment the difficult questions can be asked, the spiritual “check-ups” can take place. Some people are more determined than others to possess these kinds of relationships and so they actively seek them out. Others are more reticent to ask because of fear of rejection or making the wrong choice for accountability and mentor. Be aware that such relationships will give us tools we ourselves do not personally or currently possess, after all, a solitary piece of steel cannot sharpen itself can it?

4) Exercise & Healthy Eating
(here goes…I hope I don’t step on anyone’s toes…)
What we put into our bodies in regards to nourishment matters!
We cannot feast every day on junk foods, carbonated drinks and fast-food. These may momentarily satisfy our cravings and sometimes aide us in times of stress, but they WILL lead to health issues. How we treat our bodies and what we eat can determine how long we have on this earth to be effective Soldiers of God! It may sound kind of funny, but realistically if we have surrendered our ENTIRE life to the Lord, this includes our eating habits and our daily activity schedules. One could argue that our physical bodies are secondary to our spiritual conditions but I believe that these are interconnect and not mutually exclusive. What we do with our bodies can have a lasting impact on our spiritual journeys as well. To simply limit our existence within the spiritual realm while discarding our physical condition seems foolhardy and wrong.

A healthy soldier is also concerned about the upkeep of their bodies as well.
It may not always be the first priority, but it should be a close second as we become conscientious of our active and inactive lives as well as the foods that we eat. Discipline shouldn’t be exclusively utilized within our spiritual path and completely vacant within our physical well-being.

5) Develop A Disciplined Personal Prayer And Devotional Life
A Healthy Soldier is not only a reader; questioner; involved in some measure of accountability and in possession of some form of healthy physical attributes, but they should also seek to develop a disciplined personal prayer and devotional life. There are many ways to do this. Do not think that just because one soldier reads THAT devotional book that everyone must follow suit.

Do not underestimate the gravity of a healthy prayer life!
Also do not underestimate the need for a healthy devotional life either.
These two forms of spiritual discipline can become dry and drab if we do not change our study/focus habits up from time to time. Without a healthy prayer life, we are essentially placing limits on our interconnected relationship with the Father.

SUGGESTIONS: Find a simple, yet profound daily devotional if this helps you to develop the discipline of spiritual study. This is not the same as the first suggestion of “Become a Reader”, this is in addition to “digging deeper”. There are numerous spiritual classics that can be used in tandem with the Word of God. Even some contemporary devotionals can help to “feed” and “nourish” the soul. Seek these out, and purposely take times of the day to pray for yourself and others.

These are just five suggestions to developing healthy habits for healthy Soldiers.
This is not an exhaustive list and understandably there are many more ways to become a healthier soldier.
Consider these today!

Something more for our Army to ponder today!
To God be the glory!

January 19, 2015 0

Dear Salvation Army – Be Survivors!

“There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end! It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you’ve run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.” (Matthew chapter 10, The Message)

Dear Soldier,
are you struggling right now?
Have you experienced resistance, obstacles, opposition? Good.
I don’t say that to discourage you, but to encourage you.
If we are fight this good fight for the right reasons and with the right heart, we WILL face opposition and discouragement.
If we “take up our cross and follow Jesus” we WILL find times when we feel like quitting…when we feel like throwing in the towel and mutter to ourselves “someone else can do this, I’m done.” Don’t quit…don’t give in. Be a survivor, dear soldier! This isn’t about the call for more officers or soldiers, this is a call for more holiness and more humility within our ranks. This is a call for each of us to push ambitions aside and the thirst for power and authority to “do what we want”.

This has never been about the applause of man.
This has never been about the acclaim by and approval of leaders.
This has been about fearing God first, putting Him above all other things and within that selfless first step be survivors and dare I say “thrivers” in this campaign against sin.

How is your heart today, dear soldier?
Defeated?
Lost?
Empty?
Struggling to “catch a break”?
Be encouraged.
The One who has overcome the world stands with us!
The One who loves us beyond measure upholds us!
The One who provides us peace WITHIN the storm calms our weary hearts as well and gives us the power to overcome and survive…and hopefully thrive as well.

Something more to ponder today!
To God be the glory!

January 16, 2015 3

5 Cosas para las que no te preparan en la Escuela de Cadetes

Enfrentemoslo, no todo se puede enseñar en un salon de clases.

¿Te sorprendería saber, querido soldado , que en la escuela de cadetes no te pueden enseñar todo lo que necesitas saber sobre convertirse en un oficial? Probablemente no. Pero cuando la llanta se une al pavimento, y cuando un oficial es finalmente comisionado y toma su primer nombramiento, ellos tendrán ¡MUCHO que aprender todavía! Algunas cosas no se pueden enseñar, Deben ser experimentadas, experimentarlas de primera mano.

Hoy he numerado 5 cosas para las cuales no te preparan mientras estas en la Escuela de Cadetes. no es que no te las quisieron enseñar, pero como los dije antes, algunas cosas se deben aprender en el Campo de Batalla.
Hay muchas mas categorías de experiencias que los oficiales no pueden aprender durante su entrenamiento, estas son solo algunas de ellas:

Las realidades de las finanzas para una organización no lucrativa.

La clase de presupuestos está muy lejos de lo que sucede al sentarte a cuadrar los números en tu comunidad y asegurarte de que tienes fondos suficientes para pagar la nómina, pagar los servicios, y otros gastos no planeados que frecuentemente aparecerán. Nada parecido a como se veía en el salón de clases, en la vida real algunas secciones de este presupuesto tiene identidad humana asociada con los números que te resultan. Ser muy conservador con los números en la sección de empleados podría significar que eventualmente despedirás alguna persona de tu equipo de trabajo..eso no es nada divertido.

En segunda, muy seguido te encontrarás con que simplemente no hay suficiente dinero para trabajar.

Tú podrías tener la bendición de ser enviado a una comunidad que apoya tus esfuerzos y las finanzas están sonantes. pero lo más seguro te darás cuenta de que cada dólar es difícil de conseguir y igual de difícil será retenerlo. Todos sabemos que no todo se trata estrictamente de dinero, ¿Cierto? Se trata de dar oportunidades y recursos a la gente que podemos ayudar. Con esos fondos que se evaporan tan rápidamente, te encontraras en aprietos para suplir las necesidades humanas en ¡Su Nombre!

La necesidad de tener mentores personales y gente que te aliente.

Yo recuerdo muchos cadetes en mi sesión que estaban a punto de ser comisionados quejarse de la difícil vida que tenían en la escuela. lo restringidos que estaban, y que ya no podían esperar a estar ya en sus nombramientos. Yo me sentí así algunas veces también, pero en realidad cuando finalmente nos enviaron a nuestros nombramientos a lugares específicos, muchos rápidamente reconocimos cuan solitarios pueden ser los nombramientos, aún en ciudades grandes, los horarios de trabajo no te permiten tener mucha tiempo para relacionarte con otros oficiales. Un oficial en un nuevo nombramiento puede rápidamente sentirse muy solo y hasta pude sentirse abandonado. Nuestro primer nombramiento estaba a 5 horas de nuestro Cuartel Divisional. A veces lo sentíamos como una bendición , y otras veces sentíamos como si hubieran estado a 4000 millas de nosotros.

Los Oficiales necesitamos quienes no alienten, necesitamos consejeros.

No podemos hacer este maravilloso trabajo solos y sin apoyo. Busque una junta de pastores y únase a ella. Localice a un pastor de una denominación diferente cercano a su comunidad y relaciónese con él. Busque su amistad. Para aquellos que son introvertidos esto puede ser difícil de hacer (exponerte) pero es necesario para tu sanidad y para sobrevivir. La pregunta que nos hacemos muy seguido es ¿Quién pastorea al pastor? Con certeza que tu Comandante Divisional tiene un papel que desempeñar en esto. algunos son muy buenos en esto, otros no tanto. Honestamente la mayoría de los oficiales divisionales que conozco tratan de hacer un esfuerzo pero ellos están tan ocupados como usted.
Nota de Consejo: No dependa solamente de su Oficina Divisional para aconsejarle y alentarlo..simplemente no va a suceder inmediatamente (la mayoría del tiempo) Busque amistades, otros pastores, algunas veces un miembro del cuerpo maduro y confiable del cuerpo le puede ayudar. Usted necesita este tipo de relaciones para mantenerse funcionando..confíe en mi palabra no es necesario hablar mucho de esto en el entrenamiento pero sin un mentor o consejero usted se sentirá absolutamente solo, derrotado, y potencialmente se encontrará en su oficina haciendo el borrador de su carta de renuncia.

3 La Imperfección de la Humanidad y Aconsejando esa imperfección.

Algunas historias que escuchamos como oficiales a puertas cerradas en un intento de aconsejar gente con el corazón roto. Pareciera que todos nosotros tuvimos clases de consejería en la Escuela de Cadetes… pero nos fallan comparándolas con las horas que tenemos que usar dando consejería en nuestro oficialato. Algunas veces no encontramos respuestas fáciles y soluciones rápidas para toda una vida de problemas y heridas que vendrán a su oficina …A veces lo único que podemos hacer es susurrar una oración al Señor para que nos guíe en medio de estas historias de abuso, heridas y tristeza. Tenemos realmente la oportunidad de impactar a los quebrantados en nuestras comunidades.

No asuma que usted es Dr. Phil o Dr. Oz o quien sea…este no es un show de televisión. Estas son vidas…son importantes…Manténgase en oración constantemente por aquello que vendrán a su oficina. cíñase antes de tener estas sesiones… a veces ellos son espontáneos y si no se preparó en oración se encontrara desprotegido. .. Ánimo, esto fue lo que usted firmó y a lo que se comprometió a hacer. También tenga ánimo porque el Doctor de doctores le dará dirección y guía. Finalmente, donde sea posible, tenga a la mano contactos de consejeros profesionales de su área que le puedan ayudar, canalícelos si puede. pero eso no significa que a usted le va a dejar de comunicarse e importarle esa persona. Recuerde, ellos vinieron a usted, ¡Confían en usted! ¡Esa carga es pesada de llevar y una gran responsabilidad también!

Amor sobre sabiduría

Yo fui un cadete muy entusiasta, lleno de ideas y de pasión, esa pasión no se ha ido simplemente se ha re-estructurado.
Yo recuerdo, como muchos cadetes recuerdan, que al caminar por la plataforma para recibir mi comisión y nombramiento pensábamos, “Ahora finalmente verán lo que yo puedo hacer. ¿Orgullo? ¡Si! Ingenuidad. Pero, ¡No pierda esa pasión de salvar y servir almas! no retroceda en los fracasos y el desaliento…esos estarán ahí de todas maneras, los días difíciles vendrán. Nota para usted: Pare de tratar de ser el !Súper Oficial!

Aquí les comparto una clave a ustedes cadetes que están en entrenamiento todavía. Y este es uno de los mejores consejos que recibí de uno de mis mentores y de otros oficiales. Más allá de los que sabe de ellos, ¡Ame a los miembros de su cuerpo! No vea su nombramiento como un escalón de asenso a un mejor nombramiento. No pase por alto las necesidades de los pocos que vienen a sus puertas cada Domingo y mitad de semana. Ámeles, hecheles porras, muestreles el amor de Dios. A veces le va a tomar mucho esfuerzo mostrar ese tipo de amor. A veces usted no tendrá paciencia y querra rendirse con alguno de ellos …pero no lo haga…No se deje llevar por su conocimiento intelectual que no le permite amar desde su corazón a aquello que está dirigiendo. esto se hace obvio. la Gente SABRÁ cuando usted no les ame. la gente verá mas allá de sus planes y estrategias de conocimiento, ámelos de principio a fin.

No tendrás la Victoria en todas las batallas.
“¡Para llevar el mundo a Dios!

¡Mi parte haré!¡Sin descansar!

¡Para llevar el mundo a Dios!

¡Mi parte haré!¡Sin descansar!”

-Evangeline Booth

No ganaras cada batalla, querido soldado, algunas batallas las perderemos. Algunos soldados, algunos miembros del cuerpo, algunos recién convertidos se irán. Algunos rechazarán el amor que les ofrecemos, pero debemos hacer nuestra parte sin importar sin importar las pérdidas de la batalla en el camino. Si somos fieles y verdaderos a nuestro primer amor , sobre pasaremos estas situaciones. Sería mucho más fácil rendirnos, sería mucho, mucho más fácil irnos. Levantar las manos, retirarnos y nunca caminar hacía a adelante otra vez.. pero…RESISTA esa tentación. En la Escuela de Cadetes estábamos rodeados de otros cadetes y oficiales que nos estimulaban. En clase las ideologías eran formativas y de entrenamiento. Las ideas nacen dentro de nosotros, pero cuando salimos a nuestros nombramientos, vamos a estar cara a cara con las batallas estamos muy mal equipados para ganar solos. Debemos depender en el poder y majestad de Dios no solo para sostenernos y recibir las victorias en esas batallas imposibles de ganar. Cuando cambiamos nuestro poder por el de Dios, todo es posible. Cuando cambiamos nuestra debilidad, conocimiento temporal por su fuerza y eterno conocimiento- Todas las cosas son posibles. Cuando paramos de intentar ganar la batalla por nosotros mismos y nos arrodillamos en completa sumisión a Él- Todas las cosas son posibles…pero solo pasará cuando muramos a nosotros mismos y nos

nos abneguemos como Él en todas las áreas.
Amados cadetes, soldados, postulantes, (y hasta oficiales)- NUNCA estarán suficientemente preparados para ir a esos nombramientos. La Escuela de Cadetes nunca podrá prepararles para todas las cosas que traerá su ministerio en el Campo de Batalla…pero sepa esto: El Dios de Abraham, el Dios de Isaac, el Dios de David va con usted. Nunca estará solo. dependa de su guía. Busquele cada día…momento a momento..¡ÁNIMO!

¡Algo mas para reflexionar en nuestro Ejército!

¡A Dios sea la Gloria!
(Translation by: Margarita Martinez Reyes)

January 6, 2015 0

Dear Salvation Army: “Politics, Placation and the Papacy…”

…First the Papacy:
Pope Francis has done it again.
One could categorize him as a pope who is polarizing.
Still others might categorize him as a pope who has made difficult choices but also the right choices.
However you view this leader of the Catholic church, he is certainly NOT your average run of the mill Pope.
His latest leadership decision has been to appoint Cardinals and out of the 15 nominees, 9 hail from emerging countries of the developing world. News link: Pope Francis Names New Cardinals
I find it interesting that this leader has appointed new Cardinals from emerging countries. Think of it?! These countries do not have as much political or financial power as places like Italy, France, the United States and the United Kingdom but Pope Francis has appointed a majority of the new Cardinals from these places anyway?
Why?
This comes after his strong chastisement of current leadership and even stated they had “spiritual Alzheimer’s”.
Perhaps this leader has made these difficult decisions because they were the right decisions to make.
Perhaps, instead of placating incumbent, staunch “comfy” leaders, it was time to appoint new ones.
Perhaps, this leader (Pope Francis) recognizes where a majority of his church’s growth is taking place.

Is There a TSA Translation?
I’d like to say that we have it made in our Army.
That everything is hunky dory and peachy…but we have growth issues too!
When an organization stops growing and/or plateaus it can be a warning sign.

Questions:
Are we recognizing the fastest growing armies (Salvation Army corps, divisions, territories that is) in the developing world?
Do we, at times, play the political game because of where a majority of our World Services funds come from?
Do we, at times, placate and position ourselves in order to appoint leaders?
Some of these questions are well beyond me.
What do I know?
I am a lowly Captain.
But I am a soldier of this army.
I believe our voices are important…don’t you?
But it seems to me that there is something for us here.
Please don’t misunderstand my point.
I do not wish to emulate any other denomination other than our own.
We were created for a purpose, a holy purpose I believe.
We are not the Catholic church…nor should we ever strive to be.
We DO have much to learn though.
In retrospect we are this very, very, young Mission/Army of the Universal Christian Church (big ‘C’).
We have some growing to do.
God is not finished with us yet.
Perhaps, within this “growing”, there will be pains, groans, the occasional adjustment.

Are we all that we can be as an Army? (Sorry if I stole a line there from an old United States Army slogan)
Are we wise enough yet in our 150 year existence to recognize the need to shuck off politics, placating practices and to see the bigger Army – world wide?

I believe politics and policies at times ties our hands.
It hog ties us.
It holds us captive.
Dare I say, it places limits on the moving of the Holy Spirit in our Army…especially when there are far too many “hoops” to jump through these days to get anything done. Could it be that we have become like pharisees in rule keeping that we have far too many laws and rules to abide by that we truly cannot keep them all?

I’m certainly not advocating anarchy by any means, but I am wondering where this Army is going if we are too bogged down with maintaining instead of expanding this mission of the Lord?

Who knows, perhaps there IS something that we can learn from this rebel-rouser Pope…perhaps the days of Joe the Turk aren’t dead after all in this army…here’s to hoping anyway!
Something more for our Army to ponder today.
To God be the Glory.

January 5, 2015 1

Dear Salvation Army, Warning – Spiritual Alzheimer’s and Atrophy!

Pope Francis recently criticized his own church’s bureaucratic leaders of being power hungry and having spiritual Alzheimer’s.
Wow! Hearing those words strewn together for me has become a warning of sorts to us here in the Army. This is something very practical that I believe we too face in the Army.

Politics & Bureaucracy:
Politics and bureaucracy exists in every church regardless of denomination.
Believe it or not, dear soldier, we too have this struggle in our army. We too have, at times, individual leaders who suffer from spiritual Alzheimer’s . We too have, at times, have individual leaders who are afflicted with spiritual atrophy of the heart. Politics and favoritism is nothing new and it certainly does happen within this army too. Does that make it ever right? Absolutely not. Can God intercede? He certainly can and He will.

The Real Danger In Our Army:
You see, dear soldier, the real danger in our Army doesn’t come from outside, it comes from within.
We can be our own worst enemies at times. We can get so caught up in preserving these political games and regulations that we, in effect, execute fellow soldiers for it. The danger in our army IS SPIRITUAL ALZHEIMER’S! The danger in our army is SPIRITUAL ATROPHY! This can happen not just to people within executive levels of leadership though, don’t fool yourself into thinking you are immune, No! This can happen to anyone within our ranks of this Army! Be careful! Watch out! Don’t lose sight of who you serve and why you serve!

To the power hungry:
Your craving for power will eventually ruin you.
Your lust for positions and destroy your ministry.

To those afflicted:
You have become the church of Laodicea…so watch out!
Turn back! Seek repentance. God will not honor your efforts of lukewarm spirituality!
He will not honor these petty offerings of lip service and displays of “soldiership”. God knows our hearts!
God doesn’t want these afflictions to destroy us! He wants us to be spiritually healthy, not spiritually atrophied!

Dear soldier, look out for these pitfalls in our Army! Spiritual Alzheimer’s and Atrophy is very real!
Be aware of them. Do not slip into the same trap as others have already done! Do not forsake your first love for the lust of power and position. Do not become slack in your devotion to Him. Do not keep Him too far from your heart and mind. We need you! We need the next generation to step up and be on fire again for the Lord! We need more than lip service and positions telling us how to move this army forward. We must not stop fighting for the lost and seeking to help the marginalized in our world! When those who become afflicted with such spiritual diseases see the marginalized and poor they close their doors to your offices of power and close their eyes as well. We cannot afford to do this, dear soldier! We were commissioned by God, as Christ’s disciples first to lead others to Him. We must not falter in this. We must never close our doors and close our eyes! If we ever do, we not only jeopardize our spiritual walk but the potential spiritual walk of those seeking.

Beware, dear soldier, Spiritual Alzheimer’s and spiritual atrophy are very, very real to our army.

-More for our Army to ponder today.
To God be the glory!

December 22, 2014 2

Question: What is your greatest Christmas memory?

I don’t often delve into the realms of reminiscing and romanticizing about Christmas…but sometimes it helps to really appreciate what you have. It helps to remember. To bring to mind that which we have perhaps lost along the journey. Bringing to mind these precious memories helps us to recognize the blessings in this life. This is an Advent Thanksgiving of sorts. In these moments of appreciation we can thrust ourselves back into joy which can overflow our souls if we let it. Bringing to mind these moments, these Christmas memories helps us cope with the hardships that perhaps we’re facing now. It can help us get through the “dark days”. It’s therapeutic. It is cathartic. It can be life changing.

Let Me Start With A Story Telling (And then it’s your turn!)
Years ago, during a very busy Christmas season, just like this year, I was working long hours and in dire need of rest.
I was still in college at the time and just before Christmas break and midterm finals I would drive for my parents.
When I say drive, what I mean is that I was a Christmas Red Kettle Campaign driver. The days were long, the nights swiftly approached far too soon (4:30pm), and I would spend long hours driving from kettle location to kettle location burning tanks of gas as I went. That van became my dorm room when I had to study. That van became my dinning room table when I grew hungry.

As I drove the daily routes to and from kettle sites, I got to know the bell ringers who rang at those locations. Many would arrive at The Salvation Army corps building and I would have to transport them because most would not have reliable transportation on their own. A couple of individuals in particular, whom I will call Frank and Joe were some of “my regulars”. Frank and Joe were quite dirty and smelly most days. I don’t say that to be mean, it was just simply how it was. They were both from hard living lifestyles, they both lived with government assistance because of slight mental disabilities, they truly struggled in life. These two friends lived in a little, run down trailer at a trailer park in some back lot, and if not for this driving position, I would never have met them. They weren’t much to look at but they did alright at their daily “jobs” ringing the bell at The Salvation Army’s red kettle.

Towards the end of the Christmas season, as the campaign was winding down and Christmas Eve was a day away, I chatted like I always did with my “regulars” on the way to their kettle sites. I asked them what they would be doing for Christmas. Some said they would be going to spend time with family. Some shared all of their Christmas plans in great detail. Frank and Joe remained silent throughout the conversation. I was getting close to the end of the route, I had dropped off most of the bell ringers, all except Frank and Joe. Looking back in the rear-view mirror, they both had dour expressions on their faces. I felt compelled to ask them once again what they would be doing for Christmas. They remained silent for a moment or two until Joe spoke up and said, “Well we really aren’t doing anything. We don’t have family around anymore, and we don’t really have any money to cook a nice meal.” I was slightly surprised by their honest and sad answer. I had been aware of the needs of some of our bell ringers, but I had never realized just how alone Frank and Joe truly were. Dropping them off that day I began to have this little voice in my head say, “You can help them have a Christmas!” I chewed on that thought all day as I drove and helped out around the corps. What could I possibly do to help them? That night I picked them back up, dropped off the full kettles at the corps and took Frank and Joe home to their little trailer in the back lot. We said our good-nights and farewells and I went home.

Christmas Eve rolled around and, as tradition, we only rang at the kettles for half the day as we all prepared to celebrate Christmas the following day. I picked up Frank and Joe and delivered them to their work sites for the shortened day and went about my duties. Along the way I was fortunate to have some extra spending money that I had be given and I was prepared to go and spend it…but something happened. A recollection of those two filthy guys in my van. Their dour faces in the rear-view mirror. The harsh life they found themselves in. I could do something for them…and so I did. I don’t say this for any kind of glory. I don’t tell this tale because I want you to think better of me, but the Lord had blessed me with some additional resources during that time and I was able to share those blessings with others who were more in need of it than I was. I went to the grocery store and got them a fully prepared Christmas dinner and then with the leftover money I was able to buy them a few small gifts. I wrapped the gifts and placed the full meal in a box together.

As the half-day wrapped up, and we put our kettles away. I loaded up my regulars for their journey home. The sun was setting and I too looked forward to some rest. Frank and Joe were my last drop-offs on my “homeward bound” route. As I dropped them off they said their normal farewells, but I surprised them that day. Parking the van, I went to the back and pulled out the box of food and gifts I had gotten them. At first they refused to accept it. Frank kept shaking his head and saying “no”. I told them it was a gift and I that wanted them to have it. Joe choked back some tears and in a husky voice said “thanks” as he nodded his head. They walked into their little trailer with the box of food and waved good-bye. I drove home to a warm home surrounded by family and I couldn’t help but feel, in a small way that the best Christmas gift I received that holiday season was the opportunity to genuinely give to a couple of guys who had nothing. In my heart I knew that giving was truly better than receiving gifts and in that moment I was able to find a deeper appreciation for the gift that God gave to us so long ago in a manger, the Savior of the world – Christ Jesus. Salvation was born and this gift of grace was given freely to us despite our lowly, undeserving hearts.

That is one Christmas memory that I still cherish to this very day. There are many more memories. Some greater than others, but THAT Christmas memory is certainly one hold onto.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN…
What Christmas memories do you have?
Please leave comments below and share in the joys of Christmas together today!

December 19, 2014 0

Dear Salvation Army, Nativity or Negativity?

It is easy to do.
To dwell upon negative comments.
To feast upon the criticism.
Somethings are just not good enough for anyone.
Let’s face it, you just cannot please everyone all of the time.

But…
why do we allow the negativity of others to penetrate our defenses?
why do we have to have defenses in the first place?
why do we have to constantly be on guard?

In this season of joyful anticipation and as we reflect upon Christ’s birth once more, chances are we will face negativity, harsh comments and barbed words. It is easy to become jaded during a very arduous season!
Even though this season has been conveniently coined “the season of giving”, sometimes what people give is pain, words that are sharpened to a point, and sadness. Many times, dear soldier, we work and work and work to help people in need only to face a moment of criticism by someone and it all seems to crash to ground like a house of cards. Do you know what I’m talking about today? Have you experienced this? Perhaps this negativity comes in the form of one we are trying to give generously to who spurns our efforts because it doesn’t meet their standards. Perhaps it comes in the form of a volunteer who criticizes the way that you have organized and led this ragtag group of ‘do-gooders’. In one fell swoop your anticipation for that ‘warm fuzzies’ in the stomach while helping those in need is left dangling upon an open pit of flames as you utter sarcastically under your breath “thanks a lot!”

I hope I’m not painting a scene of hopelessness here today for you. That is not my purpose in writing this, dear soldier.
My purpose for writing this is to remind us all that we aren’t working for the ‘chin nods‘ and approval of people, we are working (because of faith) in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are attempting to emulate His selflessness in our sometimes feeble attempts. That doesn’t mean that we don’t keep the standards high in our preparations and organization, but it does mean that our attempts at helping those in need; our attempts at raising funds and giving love and hope to those without love and hope should be impervious to destructive criticism and harsh judgments upon us. The reality is that because we have invested and given ourselves completely over to these tasks, we will take these slings and arrows very personally.

A reminder:
Man isn’t your judge in terms of the service that you give to God.
You serve a higher calling. You are set apart. You matter. You have value!
Negativity will come. Destructive criticism (not to be confused with constructive God-honoring accountability) will come.
We will not please everyone in these efforts of mercy, hope and love. Some will come to us to rage just because they enjoy raging.

Remember:
It’s sounds cliche’, tired and old, but remember Christ this Christmas.
Don’t get dragged down into the pits of negativity.
Don’t wallow in these places.
They will never make you into the person God has called you to be.
These places will only serve to make you bitter and burned out.
Take time to get away for even a few minutes.
Catch your breath.
Pray.
Feast on His promises.
Remember the birth of Christ.
Read it again. Chew on the lessons within the text. Apply humility and love in your responses when all you want to do is rage back.

Dear Soldier, remember
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

All my work is for the Master,
He is all my heart’s desire;
O that he may count me faithful
In the day that tries by fire!
(SASB 522, chorus)

Something more for our Army to ponder today.
To God be the glory!

December 17, 2014 1

Dear Salvation Army, I Wish I Had Known…

Regret.
Contrition.
Self-reproach.

Emotions that run deep beneath us.
Some propel us for the good.
Some dispel any and all forward progress we may have made.

You can’t live within your regrets.
You can’t burrow down beneath them and become spiritually disabled by them.
You can’t beat yourself up all of the time.

I believe that the Apostle Paul faced this type of self-reproach in his life too.
Having to say to yourself “I wish I had known”, might become a mantra of torture and pain.
Having to repeat these mistakes…let’s call them for what they might be – M-I-S-T-A-K-E-S…
I’m not trying to get you off the hook here.
I’m not trying to justify our prior actions here.
But what I am saying is this:

If you can’t learn to do this,
especially when we have received forgiveness
from God, then you will never be able to move forward
you will never be able to progress in this spiritual walk.
you will always be looking behind yourself
you will always be punishing yourself for
THOSE MISTAKES…

Paul reminds us of this truth.
He reminds us (and perhaps himself)
He warns us of uttering that phrase about our forgiven
past that still screams at us and
tries to convince us that we don’t deserve God’s grace…
that same past that shouts at us and tells us that
we are beyond reach of mercy and that we totally deserve
punishment for these awful mistakes.

Paul says to these “I wish I had knowns”
and he says to us:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Did you catch that?
Do you see the truth?
Can you understand that we’re all in the same boat here?
Our pasts and all of the mistakes we have made:
-Can propel us forward.
-Can be used for our betterment
–~~Can be~~ Are wiped clean.
-They don’t matter any more and they don’t live in our present.

Dear Soldier,
stop fighting a war with shadows of your past!
Stop waging a battle with ghosts that no longer exist.
Stop looking backward and the “I wish I had knowns”…they have been forgiven…you have been set free from them!

Don’t be defined by your past.
Don’t be defined by your mistakes.
Don’t give it a foothold in your present life…in your new life.

The father of lies would love for you to become crippled in your faith.
The great deceiver would try and convince you that you are of no worth and that your past is still very much present in your new life, and that little has changed.

I beg to differ.
Christ has set YOU FREE!
He didn’t do it partially.
He didn’t free you from the bondage of sin improperly.
He didn’t make a mistake with your free gift of Salvation.
You are free indeed!
You are a new creation.
You are forgiven.
You are save to save others through the mighty power of the Holy Spirit!
You are loved.
You are accepted though some will never accept you.
You are fit to be called a child of God!

So how about this, dear Soldier…

Stop the madness.
Stop the war inside your mind.
Stop hurting yourself spiritually.
Stop dwelling on the “I wish I had knowns”
Stop looking back at your old life and living there through regret.
Stop lingering on the shoulda, coulda, woulda’s in life and move onto the promises of God here and now in the present.