A Circus of Redemption

"Do you know what Paul said about the stuff he wrote and taught? He said he didn't write with big and fancy words to try to impress people; rather, he just told the truth, God's truth, and let that be what it was, powerful and honest, making sense of life."

- Donald Miller, Searching for God Knows What

The Good Book

I've been pondering over something the last couple of days so I thought that I would share it.

Technology is always advancing, always getting better, faster, and smarter. It seems as soon as you buy the "latest" of a cell phone, tv, computer or dvd player, something even better comes out the next day. We want to keep up with the times, be trendy and hip and relevant.

A couple of weeks ago I went to Mitchells Christian Book Store, to do some Christmas shopping. While I was there I ran into Amy and we talked and walked around the store together for a bit. When we got to where the Bible section was, we were amazed at how many different versious there are now. There are literally dozens apon dozens of "modern" translations of the good book. There are serveral different versions now in magazine form, hoping to be relevant to the trendy teen. And the "Message" version of the Bible is now in a smaller form, which comes in a cool tin lunch box style case. It is also now selling as the "energy" Bible..with the pages being split in half, with NIV on one side, and the Message version on the other.

I know that it is important for people to be able to find a Bible that they enjoy reading. But doesn't it seem like we're getting caught up with the whole always needing something relevant, trendy, and cool? How many different versions do we actually need to have? Are we getting to the point where we're watering down what the original message was intended to say and reading too much into it all?

Growing up within a Christian family I have tons of Bibles that I was given over the years. But really, I hardly looked at or used any of them. I actually only use a Bible that I was given when I was 14. It's actually a youth walk Bible..and although I'm not a teen anymore, I've kindof grown attached to it and I'm reluctant to get a new one. But do we need to have a different Bible for every stage of our life? Do we need a Bible for every different relevant and modern translation that is out there??

These are just my thoughts...any others?

What do we really want?

"Jesus was always, and I mean always, talking about love, about people, about relationship, and He never broke anything into steps or formulas. What if, because we were constantly trying to dissect His message, we were missing a blatant invitation? I began to wonder if becoming a Christian did not work more like falling in love than agreeing with a list of true principles. I had met a lot of people who agree with all those true principles, and they were jerks, and a lot of other people who believed in those principles, but who also claimed to love Jesus, who were not jerks. It seems like something else has to take place in the heart for somebody to become a believer, for somebody to understand the gospel of Jesus. It began to seem like more then just a cerebral exercise. What if the gospel of Jesus was an invitation to know God?

Earthly love, I mean the stuff I was trying to get by sounding smart, is temporal and slight so that it has to be given again and again in order for us to feel any sense of security; but God's love, God's voice and presence, would instill our souls with such affirmation we would need nothing more and would cause us to love other people so much we would be willing to die for them. Perhaps this is what the apostles stumbled apon."

-Donald Miller, Searching for God knows what

Fear of commitment?

Commitment. Relationships. Community.

These are all words that have come up a lot recently in conversations I've been having with people.
Seems like this is the key..the missing link..what we need to be living the ministry for God.
Yet how many of us actually are living out these themes, instead of just talking about them?

So many people want to be able to commit to something, to feel that they are activity doing God's work, yet this seems to be one of our biggest challenges. Finding where we fit, where our place is, and where we can commit. We want to be in full time ministry, yet we run from things that need our full commitment, in fear that we will get tied down and fill our lives with "stuff." Where do we draw the line? When do we stop moving and finally stick to something in God's name?

"Where you gonna go? Salvation is here..."

We talk about the revival of the Salvation Army...how "our" generation is going to do something huge...that something on a worldy scale is going to take place. How can we expect to be apart of something that big, if we aren't willing to commit to something so small? Like committing to a personal relationship with God, or committing to a church, or committing to the people in our own communities?

Now, community. There's my next thing that I've been struggling with. I know that community is an important part of being a follower of Jesus, because if God wanted us to be alone He wouldn't have given us the ability to build relationships with people, and He would've made us self-sufficient. I know that I can't go down this path alone, and that the Lord will put people into my life that I will need to get me through both negative and positive situations that come along.

But something that I have always struggled with in growing up in the Salvation Army is just the exclusiveness of it all. I know it's nearly impossible to erase all lines of divisions between "groups" of different people, because everyone will always have people in their lives that they are closer to then others. But we have become really good at being exclusive, maybe even...(dare I say it)...snobby. Growing up I stayed away from a lot of church people because I just did not fit the bill of the type of people who were in my age group. Now that I'm older, I can see how incredibly God has changed the lives of so many of those people who I used to stay away from. They are passionate in their relationships with the Lord and wanting to great things. But...exclusiveness can still become a problem. What about those who still don't fit the bill because they aren't as passionate, or don't share the same views as these people?

We naturally want to be with others who will make us comfortable and who share the same views and opinions as us. But I think a part of just being a follow of Jesus, is reaching out beyond what we are comfortable with, and who we are comfortable with.

So..we need a community, people who we trust and can share with, and will help us grow in all areas. But we can't always hope to be in a community that is comfortable, that is just about ourselves.

These are all definitly just my opinions and views, and random thoughts that I have been thinking about from different conversations with people. So what do I see that needs to happen?

I think that we need people who are going to commit. And I'm not saying just in my division of the Army, but where ever it is that God is calling you to..be brave, and commit. And if God isn't calling you to somewhere other then where you are...maybe you need to look around exactly where you are right now. Guaranteed your community could probably use you. Stay strong and don't fall into the trap of filling your time up with "stuff" but instead just allow God to use you however you are needed. Only after we have commitment can we have community, and relationships. How can we hope for relationships with people if we aren't willing to commit to staying in their lives for a given length of time?

Don't just wait for someone "more" passionate to come along before you do something. If you're open to it, and just trust the Lord, you'll be equipped with everything you need for what God might be asking of you.

As my good mate Chris has been telling me (see I can use English slang too haha), we need warriors who want to get into the trenches and get their hands dirty! We need committed soldiers who aren't going to back down when a challenge or stumbling block comes their way.

Are you in or out?

Be My Escape

I’ve given up on giving up slowly
I’m blending in so you won’t even know me
Apart from this whole world that shares my fate.
This one last pull you mention
It’s my one last shot at redemption
Cause I know to live you must give your life away.

And I’ve been housing all this doubt
and insecurity
And I’ve been locked inside that house
All the while you hold the key
And I’ve been dying to get out
And that might be the death of me.
And even though there’s no way of knowing
Where to go
I promise I’m goin because…

I gotta get out of here
I’m stuck inside this rut that I fell into by mistake
I gotta get out of here
And I’m begging you, I’m begging you, I’m begging you to be my escape.

I’ve given up on doing this alone now
Guess I failed and I’m ready to shown now
You told me the way and now I’m tryin to get there

And this life sentence that I’m serving
I admit that I’m every bit deserving
But the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair

Cause I’ve been housing all this doubt
and insecurity
And I’ve been locked inside that house
All the while you hold the key
And I’ve been dying to get out
And that might be the death of me.
And even though there’s no way of knowing
Where to go
I promise I’m goin because…

I gotta get out of here
Cause I’m afraid that this complacency is something I can’t shake (yeah)
I gotta get out of here
And I’m begging you, I’m begging you, I’m begging you to be my escape.

I am a hostage to my own humanity
Self-detained and forced to live in this mess I’ve made
And all I’m asking is for you to do what you can with me
But I can’t ask you to give what you already gave.

Cause I’ve been housing all this doubt
and insecurity
And I’ve been locked inside that house
All the while you hold the key
And I’ve been dying to get out
That might be the death of me.
And even though there’s no way of knowing
Where to go
I promise I’m goin because…

I gotta get out of here
I’m stuck inside this rut that I fell into by mistake
I gotta get out of here
And I’m begging you, I’m begging you, I’m begging you to be my escape.

I fought you for so long I should have let you win
Oh how we regret those things we do
And all I was trying to do was save my own skin
But so were you
So were you.

-Relient K

A fantastic day!

Today turned out to be a busy day! A lot more busy then I had anticipated...but it was jammed packed with good times, so I'm feeling fantastic!

I originally was supposed to be at my church for the whole afternoon helping out with the Sunday school Christmas play. But I was relieved of that duty, much to my excitement, and decided then to head down to the service at 614 in regent park before the program at my church started.

As soon as I walked into the door I was just blasted with blessings, it was wonderful. I couldn't stop smiling from the moment I got there until long after I left. The first blessing was getting to see my girl Tammy, a graduate from the Ignite team from last year, who was up from the U.S visiting for the week. I had no idea that she was going to be there, so seeing her absolutely made my day! It was really really exciting to hear about everything that she's involved with back home. In January she gets to be apart of running a new program that is similar to Ignite, in Georgia. She is so pumped about it, and it is so awesome to see programs like this popping up in more places throughout the Salvation Army!

Shortly after that I ran into my little buddy Nicolas, who is about 2 years old, and I had met Thanksgiving weekend. He is one of the cutest kids that I've ever seen and just gets attached to me whenever I go, so I got to hang out with this little guy all night...which also just brightened up my day.

And then the final blessing, which was the highlight of my weekend, was finding out the 614 kids were doing their Christmas pageant! I absolutely just love the kids in regent park, so getting to see a program they were putting on was just fantastic! It was fairly simple, but filled with such an incredible amount of heart! All of these kids are just so real, so when they do something like this you know it's genuine and straight from their hearts. I loved seeing the guys who were playing the wise men do their part. When the lyrics of the song said "and kings will take off their crowns.." they all took off their paper crowns that they were wearing and knelt down and laid it on the ground in front of them. It was so simple, but so incredible to see. It was evident that these kids knew exactly what Christmas is about and were just surrendering it back to Jesus. Then for the concluding number, all the angels, shepherds and wise men joined together to sing along and dance to "Joyful Joyful" (the version from Sister Act 2) complete with one of the older guys rapping along to the rap that pops up in the middle of the song.

It was just a fantastic night. Something about 614 just fills me with the Holy Spirit, each and every time I go, and tonight was no different. Getting a chance to see about 20 kids tell the Christmas story, and genuinely demonstrate the real reason for this holiday season, absolutely made my Christmas.

December has just flown by (only 5 days left to Christmas...what the?!) and earlier today I was just trying to put myself into the holiday spirit by reminding myself how quickly it's coming, despite my ability to accept it. But tonight is what did it for me. I'm ready for Christmas to come now. I guess sometimes it helps to be able to see Jesus through the eyes of a child.

Blessings this Christmas season!!

Christmas Family Fellowship

Well I just returned home from a fun filled night of hanging out with the fam (a.k.a. the "collective"). There were 15 of us all together at my aunt and uncle's house up at Stouffville and Yonge. It is always an interesting time when we all get together (mostly because we're all loud and have a lot to say, so you can only imagine haha).

My highlights of the evening mostly revolve around my two and a half year old cousin Joseph. He is most definitly the family entertainer, and he knows it! He had me absolutely killing myself laughing when at one point, he let out a huge belch, covered his mouth, and then yelled in a high pitched voice "oh my!" Then he had the whole family splitting their sides when out of no where he started running around the living room, and then the kitchen in circles, yelling "happy dance! happy dance!" and none of us have any idea where he picked this one up! (He's a nut, but he fits right in!)

The most eventful part of our evening though was the gingerbread house making competition. We had two sets of pieces to build two houses, so it turned into a bit of a challenge between two teams. Dionne, Jocelyn and myself took one house, while Donna, Bradley and my Aunt Mel took the other. It got pretty competitive when Bradley tried to sabotage our chimney after theirs wouldn't stay on, and all Di kept yelling was "we need another orange smartie stat!" An icing fight even broke out between multiple people and it became a little bit of a mass chaos. I ended up with more icing on me then was on our gingerbread house, but I have no one to blame but myself as I cut the whole in the icing package just a tad too big.

As our evening died down, we sipped hot apple cider and listened to a recording of "O Holy Nightmare" that my uncle got from someone (it's a man very whole heartedly singing "O Holy Night"..but unfortunately, God did not bless this man with the ability to sing..at all...).

Overal the evening was an awesome one. Just fellowship between family members, and lots of memories and laughs shared. Isn't that one of the greatest things about this holiday season though? Just having an excuse to get together with lots of close family and friends and just enjoy each others company. Something about this time of year gives you that feeling inside that you just want to be close to all those that you love, and spend some good quality time together. It's one of my favourite things that happen at Christmas anyways (next to having an opportunity to celebrate and remember the birth of Jesus Christ of course!)

Does anyone else have any family Christmas stories or traditions they'd like to share? Either from this year or years past? I'd love to hear them, so share away!

This is a picture that I took in the summer of 2000 when I worked at a camp in Saskatchewan. This province has the most beautiful skies that I have ever seen in my life, and I'm continually awed at how gorgeous a place this is every time I go and visit. I just recently came across this picture again, and I absolutly love it because it wasn't until after I got the film developed that I realized there is a cross in the middle of the clouds...and I think it's one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

Steps

"The truth is there are a million steps, and we don't even know what the steps are, and worse, at any given moment we may not be willing or even able to take them; and still worse, they are different for you and me and they are always changing. I have come to belive the sooner we find this truth beautiful, the sooner we will fall in love with the God who keeps shaking things up, keeps changing the path, keeps rocking the boat to test our faith in Him, teaching us to not rely on easy answers bullet points, magic mantras, or genies in lamps, but rather in His guidance, His existence, His mercy and His love."

- Donald Miller, Searching for God Knows What

We shall win with fire and blood!

My Grandpa suggested to me to look up this song, so I thought that I would share it. It's definilty an inspiring one. I bolded the words that stood out to me..but there is still so much more. I'm still taking in all that this song inspired in me. Did it strike up anything in you?

"Pray for liberty in the service of our wondrous, loving Lord" - Bruce Halsey

Jesus, give thy blood-washed Army (Song #593)

Jesus, give thy blood-washed Army
Universal liberty;
Keep us fighting, trusting calmly
For a world-wide jubilee.
Hallelujah!
We shall have the victory.

Thou hast bound brave hearts together,
Clothed us with the Spirit's might,
Made us warriors forever,
Sent us in the field to fight.
In the Army
We will serve thee day and night.

'Neath thy scepter foes are bending,
And thy name makes devils fly;
Captives' fetters thou art rending.
And thy blood doth sin destroy.
For thy glory
We will fight until we die.

Lift up valleys, cast down mountains,
Make all evil natures good;
Wash the world in Calvary's fountain,
Send a great salvation flood.
All the nations
We shall win with fire and blood.

William James Pearson (1832-92)

Be Free

"Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." - Matthew 11:29-30 (MSG)

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" - John 8:36

Relevant Passion

"I don't think any church has ever been relevant to culture, to the human struggle, unless it believed in Jesus and the power of His gospel. If the supposed new church beleives in trendy music and cool Web pages, then it is not relevant to culture either. It is just another tool of Satan to get people passionate about nothing."

-Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz

He still loves me

Took me awhile, but i'm finally here
So I just wanna testify, make it crystal clear
See I've been picked out, to be picked on
Talked about out my friend's mouth
I've been beat down, til' he turned my life around

Seems like I always fall short of being worthy
Cuz I ain't good enough, but he still loves me
I ain't no superstar, the spot light ain't shinin' on me
Cuz I ain't good enough, but he still loves me

I used to, wake up somedays,
and wished I had stayed asleep
Cuz I went to bed on top of the world,
today the world is on top of me
Now everybody's got opinions
They ain't been in my position
But it breaks my heart when I hear what they
Have to say about me

Seems like we always fall short
of being worthy (Lord I ain't worthy)
Cuz I ain't good enough,but he still loves me
I ain't no superstar,
the spot light ain't shinin' on me
Cuz I ain't good enough, but he still loves me

I'm not perfect
Yes I do wrong
I'm trying my best
But It aint good enough
Shunned by the world
If I don't succeed
Cuz I aint good enough
But he still loves me

If you ain't worth just raise your hands
And let me know that you understand
That we are all so blessed to be loved
Stand for him and fall for anything
Cuz through his eyes we all look the same
What would we do, with a blame?

Seems like we always fall short
of being worthy
Cuz I ain't good enough,
but he still loves me
I ain't no superstar
the spot light ain't shinin' on me
Cuz I ain't good enough, but he still loves me

I'm not perfect
Yes I do wrong
I'm trying my best
But It aint good enough
Shunned by the world
If I don't succeed
Cuz I aint good enough
But he still loves me

I'm not perfect
Yes I do wrong
I'm trying my best
But It aint good enough
Shunned by the world
If I don't succeed
Cuz I aint good enough
But he still loves me

No I ain't good enough
But he still loves me
No I ain't good enough
But he still loves me (Even though I ain't worthy)
No I aint good enough (You ain't worthy, he's there for you)
But he stil loves me (No matter what I do)
No I aint good enough (I ain't good enough)
But he stil loves me

I need to be free

After having months of Monday's that were continually busy with other things, I was finally able to get to a Teheilla this past Monday after not going since the beginning of September.

Teheilla is a non-denominational service at the Canada Christian College that runs every Monday night. I started going with my sis and Chris Tidd back in February and got absolutely hooked on it. It really opened me up to just how differently people experience God and how open and loud people encounter the Lord.

On Monday when I went I got shook really hard by God. It was incredible. Within the 2 hours that I was there so much took place between God and I. I left the building feeling completely drained and exhausted, but totally alive in Christ. It would take a lot of time and space to write out all that happen, plus I guess a lot of it is personal. But if you'd like to know, ask me about it outside this blog.

I am going to share one thing though that I really got from God Monday night. And hopefully it's not stepping on anyone's toes, but if it's a message from God, I can't be silent.

Freedom. Being free to worship without any boundaries, and to just be free in God. I hadn't realized it, but I had begun to slowly be pressed in on and conformed by the services at my church. Now that's not to say anything against my church or those who run it, but just a personal statement. The last few weeks I've had a lot going through my head, and have had a lot of confusion. But I think this was the answer. I wasn't free. I was encountering God, but there were barriers in the way. I hadn't let myself loose and just completely opened myself up to the Lord. And I think this has a lot to do with the church services that I attend.

The Salvation Army isn't free. It hasn't been released. We would know it if it had been. It's like there is something sitting on the chests of all those who come to church, preventing them from just breathing God in, and shouting out His praises. Why is the church so quiet? I know not everyone worships in the same way...but the good Lord gave everyone a voice to praise and honour Him. So why I can't hear them? Why do songs sung from the songbook sound like forced praises? And why do responsive readings sound like we're in a cult?

WE AREN'T FREE

We don't have to be dancing down the isles, or speaking in tongues to be having a "proper" encounter with God, or a "good" church service. What we need though is freedom. I need to be able to feel that if the Holy Spirit came apon me in such a way that I couldn't stay still, or I need to shout and cry his praises, I would be free to do that in a Salvation Army church...in my church. People may tell me that I am free...but I know I'm not. I can feel it the minute I walk into that buildling. God can feel it too...and He's sick of it.

I tasted freedom Monday night. And how did I respond? Honestly? I sat in a heap on the floor and cried and shouted out to God that this was something that I could always feel. That the Salvation Army could feel. That I could feel in my church. For God to be unleashed. I have never had an experience like this before, and I know that God is moving and wants something done..now.

I'm sick of peoples good intentions and hopeful words..just as I know many others are. But I'm not telling you to do anything about it. I'll wait for God to shake you free in His own time. I'm going to get my butt out of my comfy chair and follow the Lord to freedom. I'm also tired of people saying that they're not comfortable when seeing people worship very visibly (not saying that you have to physically be able to see someone worshiping in order for them to be experiencing God). But you know what? That's a good thing if you're uncomfortable, if you're a little squirmy..That means the Holy Spirit is moving. You shouldn't be comfortable. God help us if we are.

I BELIEVE I WILL LIVE TO SEEM MY NATION ON IT'S KNEES

RIGHT NOW REVIVAL STARTS WITH ME

And this is all I can say right now...

Tonight at Connexity we sang a song by David Crowder Band, but this was my first time hearing it. It really hit me and just moved me to tears as I read along with the lyrics. I think that this song just puts into words a lot better then I've been able to, what I've been going through the past week or so. This has almost literally been my prayer to God over the last little while. Here are the lyrics..enjoy...

All I can say

Lord I'm tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I'm so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I'll stop
Rest here a while

And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give, thats my everything

And didn't You see me cry'n?
And didn't You hear me call Your name?
Wasn't it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You'd remember
Where you sat it down

And this is all that I can say right now, I know its not much.
But this is all that I can give, yeah thats my everything.
This is all that I can say right now, I know its not much.
But this is all that I can give, yeah thats my everything.

I didn't notice You were standing here
I didn't know that
That was You holding me
I didn't notice You were cry'n too
I didn't know that
That was You washing my feet

And this is all that I can say right now, oh I know its not much.
But this is all that I can give, yeah thats my everything.
This is all that I can say right now, I know its not much.
But this is all that I can give, yeah thats my everything.
And this is all that I can say right now, oh i know its not much.
But this is all that I can give, yeah thats my everything.

yeah thats my everything
everything........

Bob and Larry...The Encouragers

It's funny how sometimes we can find encouragement in the most unlikely places, especially when we're not looking for it.

Today I am spending the day babysitting my 2 year old cousin (the fam is off to the Salvation Army concert at Massey Hall). It really isn't so much babysitting, but more just hanging out with the little guy as he's a lot of fun to spend time with. (Granted, he's not so fun when he's fighting sleep and becomes extremely grumpy..but now that he's finally taking his nap, things are starting to look up!)

Anyways, earlier today we watched the new Veggie Tales movie "Sumo of the Opera." (Joseph is a big fan of the veggies). I hadn't seen this one before, and I was making lunch at the same time it was on, so I was only half paying attention. Basically though it's about perseverance. Larry (the cucumber) was getting frustrated with a commitment he had made to help needy children, as it was a lot harder then he thought it would be. So Bob (the tomato), being the great friend that he is, decided he would share a story about perseverance with Larry to help get motivated to finish what he had started. The story then unfolds about a Sumo wrestler who has a lot of difficulty finishing tasks that he starts. Then one day a huge opportunity comes his way, and if he's able to persevere through it, there is a great reward waiting for him. But, that's all I'm going to say about the story, because I don't want to ruin it for all you Veggie Tale fans out there who haven't seen this one yet.

After the story is over, Bob and Larry (after learning a valuable lesson) share a Bible verse for all the viewers to read. The one the shared this time was:

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. " - Hebrew 10:36

Such a simple verse, but it can be so difficult to follow when things get tough. After reading the verse, Bob and Larry just shared some final thoughts. Then Bob said "even when it's hard you need to be a finisher! God promises that finishing has it's rewards!"

This year God has convicted me of a lot of thing, and to give up a lot as well. Some days, it seems so easy and without a second thought my life is completely in the Lord's hands. Other days, I really struggle, and I just want to do things my own way and forget what it is that God has asked me to do.

So this is where the unlooked for encouragement came from. Without knowing I needed a kick in the pants, God used a talking tomato and cucumber to remind me that I need to be a finisher! God has told me that "something better"...a reward far beyond anything that I can imagine..is waiting for me at the end of this year, and then in the future beyond that.

So yah, this blog entry was a little cheesy, but common..I've been hanging out with a two year old all day! And besides that, I happen to quite enjoy Veggie Tales.

Anyways, thats about it for now!

Keep persevering!

What do we do now?

As I've mentioned in a previous blog I absolutly love conversations with people, especially ones face to face. And I think a huge part of the lull I found myself in this past week, and the difficultly I've had over the past few months, is that lack of real solid conversations with people. I spent this past year just building relationships with people through conversation, and in turn, building my own faith through it. And then when September rolled around, I lost all those relationships I had built (well, by that I mean seeing those people every day and being able to talk for hours on end on a daily basis with them). And that hit me really hard.

But this week has been different. Yesterday I had an absolutely fabulous conversation with a new friend of mine, while sitting at a Tim Hortons. And I can't even begin to type out all the topics and areas that we covered in our conversation, because it just covered so much...but it was all just really good. And it definitly got my thoughts going about a lot, which is a really good thing because since September my mind hasn't been getting challenged like it should be! So since that conversation, almost none stop, my thoughts have just been going crazy about so many topics, and because of that today I had another fabulous conversation with Scarboroughs wonderful youth pastor.

So...something that at this exact moment is going through my mind, which is an unleashed thought since I had the conversation yesterday at Timmies. It definitly seems to be a reoccuring theme over the past little while from people that I've been talking to, that something needs to happen. The youth of the Salvation Army needs to unite, the passion and fire that started the Sally Ann needs to be re-ignited, and we need to get out of our comfy pews and beyond our church walls, and back out into the community building relationships like we used to do.

So, we have that established. I think a lot more people then I've talked to are also sharing these thoughts but either feel that they're alone on it and aren't saying anything, or they're talking but no one is listening. Either way, this is pretty much the feeling of a lot of youth and young adults in the Salvo community is feeling (actually, I won't limit it to just that, I'm sure a lot of the "older generation" would love to see a revival of the good 'ol days of the Army).

So now what? There is definitely the willingness, the awareness and the un-tapped passion and talent just waiting for something to happen. And I am a firm believer that something is going to happen my friends...there is something brewing that God is just waiting to let loose. But what do we do until then? Or is it even a matter of waiting for God to hand us the answer on a silver platter? Do we just spend the next while in prayer and patience waiting for divine inspiration? Or do we already have the answer and the means and no one is stepping up to get the ball rolling? And if it's just a matter of getting united and getting it going, then what is the 'it' that needs to happen? A huge dramatic change in the way our Salvation Army churches and programs are already being run? Or just another church with a 'modern' spin to it?

We definitely need to get away from just being hyped up and excited about 'saving the world' and realize that we need to start right in our own backyards and we have to stop just getting on the 'moutain top' with our emotions and actually commit to something that is going to be permanent and beneficial to the cause. And I think a lot of the solution has to do with community, communication and buildling relationships with people...but that's a whole other rant.

So, let me hear your ideas, your thoughts, your 'divine inspirations'...and remember...we are all on the same side, fighting for the same cause...and we're definitly not alone with our situations, thoughts or conflicts (which I was so wonderfully reminded of yesterday..thx :)

Comment away!