Tough Questions...

Saturday was the Corps Focus Day for the Montclair Citadel. The tough questions were asked, and the delicate hearts were handled... delicately.

For any church going through a debriefing process of programmes, attitudes and heart issues, they will discover that it is a much more painful process than we would like to hope. The morning session was concluded by a prayer time; I would like to tell you about it, but I know that I really mustn't; it would be disrespectful. Some things are to be kept secret, not from shame but so as not to cheapen what was shared; the memories are protected and can be indulged privately. I must resist the temptation to "overshare."

At work just now we are reading though Bill Thrall's "True Faced," a book about trusting God and others with who God says we are. It is common to hear "ouch" out of my mouth as I turn the pages; every page seems to nail me in some level. From the first page of the book Thrall states;

“God’s dreams are ultimately not really about you. Oh, don’t misunderstand. They’ll bring you some of the best days of your life; you will be fulfilled beyond any imaginable expectations. But God’s dreams take form only when they are about others, for the benefit of others. Loving them. Guiding them. Serving them. Influencing them. Filling their heads with dreams and hope. There are no other types of God dreams. Nothing less or else will compel, attract, or seem worthy of this God heart within you. Everything else will always, ultimately, taste chalky and dry.”



Are we, as Salvationists about serving others? I am not trying to stir the pot, if I could bleed yellow, red and blue, I promise, I would; but I do often think, who are we serving? I recognise that decisions are always made at an individual level; as an individual I can abide by the law, or not. Stand true to my Articles of War, or not. The mass identity of any large body is ALWAYS affected by the individual attitudes of those within the body. So I ask you, the member of whatever group you are found to be a part of; why are you there? Really, why are you there?Surely, you are bound to receive something, but is that what you are there for, what you can get? Can we truly expected fulfilment from others; can we not have fulfilment in ourselves? Is that all God has in store for us? My panic is that that is what we look for; you know the saying; "you get out what you put in," it tough, it calls for a lot unselfish acts; but it is so very true. The Army Mother said this:

“Show the world a real, living, self-sacrificing, hard-working, toiling, triumphing religion, and the world will be influenced by it; but anything short of that they will turn round and spit upon.”

Well, firstly, I'd like to say that I love that woman! (When I get to glory she and I will be in the Marks' & Spencers coffee shop drinking skinny latte's and eating clotted cream scones.) Secondly, what a challenge! To be authentic; I read recently, "Integrity is what you are in the dark." Hmm... what does our mind think on when we are not wearing our S's? Is it good? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it for your good or the good of the Kingdom?