Fasting.

I love food. I have found that when I'm depressed, stressed and busy, the first thing I'll do is head for the pantry or fridge and find something sweet to much my cares away.
Sound familiar?

There is no food that God deems as off-limits. However, gluttony is a sin.

This past fortnight in college, our dearest Training Principle (We love you Captain Steven Court) challenged us to take on some 'get out of your comfort zone' activities. (See Sarah Eldridge's Blog for more detail of what we had to do)

I fasted for a week. No food, just liquids (decaf coffee, broth, water). Through out this time I prayed for one of our Staff Members' (Glenda Savage) health and for a break though in my 'compassion' and love towards others.

Praise the Lord, Glenda is on the road to full recovery and by Thursday, God softened my heart towards to lost, hurt and dying.

Did you know that John Wesley wouldn't ordain a minister unless they fasted every Wednesday and Friday until 4pm?

So from all this I'm sold.

If you want break through, to grow closer to God, need healing... FAST!

If you're relying on food to make you feel happy... FAST!

By the way if you aren't called to be doing what you are now doing, then train up and offer for officership. Contact your CO or divisional candidates secretary today.
If I can do it so can YOU!!!

In his Hands

Salvationism

Today was our first 'meaty' lecture here at college, titled 'The end of Salvationsim.'

For me, I see Salvationsim as a relentless completing desire to see all the peoples of the the earth saved. Fighting for souls, reaching the lost and those marked for death.

Everything we (Salvationists) do should lead directly or ultimately lead to the salvation of the world. Not for our sake, nor for the sake of the Army but it's for Jesus and the extension of His Kingdom. Should this not be the case, Salvationism as I have come to understand it, would come to an end.

Let me give two examples.

Social justice is a worthy, important and valid arm of The Salvation Army. However if it becomes more important to drink a fair trade latte then see the cafe owner saved; Salvationism comes to an end.

Music is a powerful and beautiful tool for communicating to God, believers and unbelievers. However if it becomes more important to maintain excellence over evangelism; performance over passion; inclusively over intimacy- Salvationism comes to an end.

If any of our 'Salvation-Army-ism's' (timbrels, home league, band, songsters, uniform, red shield), that aren't essential to our doctrines and covenants ever become more important than releasing the captives- then it will be the end of salvationism... as I know it.

When what we do, loses it's power to bring other's closer to the throne of God's grace, let it die!