rupeba in english

Headlines week 4

2012-01-26T03:11:00.000+02:00

Defending Truth Without Compromise
Charisma News - "The most frequent objection of those who fear the presence of believers in government is, "What right do you have to impose your morals on us?" Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council tells them, "The same right you have to impose your lack of morals on us."
Someone's values will always be reflected in public policy. Almost every government policy decision is a value judgment. In this postmodern world, where moral relativism is the philosophy of choice, these value judgments are often based on the conditions of the moment rather than objective, transcendent, biblical truth. This is where the two sides diverge."

About uniforms

Patrik Oltermann in FSAOF - "The uniform has been defined as a prophetic robe (the prophetic view of ourselves and others that we have made ourselves available in the war). The uniform has also been described as a sacrament (an outward sign of an inner grace). These aspects are vitally important and should not be lost. But they are only meaningful aspects of uniforms (whether it be a parade, work or field uniform) if it is worn outside the corps’ walls. Moreover, it is only meaningful if the uniforms as a external sign is followed by an inner grace."

The "Right Time" Is Now
Greg Laurie, devotion - "Though she was raised in a Christian home, my mother rebelled against God for most of her life. And whenever we got into any serious discussion about life or its meaning or the afterlife or God, she would always say, "I don't want to talk about it."
One day, she was very ill, and I felt especially impressed to go and have a conversation with her. So I went to see her. I said, "I want to talk to you about your soul, and I want to talk to you about the meaning of life and what happens after we die."

Words of William Booth 2

2012-01-24T04:12:00.003+02:00

My ambition is the souls of men

William Booth meeting King Edvard VII.
The King asked William Booth to write in his autograph album. William Booth wrote:

"Some men´s ambition is art
Some men´s ambition is fame
Some men´s ambition is gold
My ambition is the souls of men"

From Words of William Booth by Cyril Barnes

Early Sunday morning in Riga January 22

2012-01-22T06:09:00.000+02:00

Weekly review from my point of view

It is Sunday morning in Riga. The first snow has been falling. Not much snow. Only a little snow covering the ground. After two cold winters with lots of snow I cannot say a long for more snow.

The past week we have had some business meetings and something so unusual as time to work in the office.

This week we have decided the theme for our coming congress in Riga this summer. In airports and in major train stations you can often see a sign showing a meeting point. We will use that sign and call our congress "Meeting Point Riga 2012". If you want more information about our congress you can send a mail to iveta.rasa@pestisanasarmija.lv. Soon we will also post more information about our Congress on our website: www.pestisanasarmija.lv.

During the past week Ruth and myself have also made our visiting plans for this semester. We plan to have three gatherings in all corps and outposts. One Sunday meeting, and after the meeting we will invite soldiers, adherents and other interested to a gathering called "Open Microphone". In this gathering we will inform about what is happening in the Salvation Army and also be available for questions and comments. We also plan to have a corps review in all corps.

Tomorrow, Monday we will go to Skangal together with all officers, other Leaders and cadets for the first Leader´s Days for this year. There will be a full program in two days.

This weekend our three sons will meet each other. They live far away from each other and they have been travelling from Stockholm, Borås and Moss to take part in the the Slavation Army floor ball cup in Drammen, Norway. They will play in the Swedish team.

But now it is Sunday morning and soon time to go down to the Sunday morning meeting at Riga 1 Corps.

Have a blessed week
Peter Baronowsky

Baptism's purpose...

2012-01-21T16:51:00.000+02:00

Major Jostein Nielsen, Norway
Translated from Norwegian; Sven Ljungholm

"I will speak at the Salvation Army today (on Baptism). Those who know that the Salvation Army does not practice the baptism ritual may wonder where I’m headed and might be anxious about some of these introductory words, but I'm not on a collision course with either the Bible or the teachings of my church.

In the church calendar today celebrates the Feast of Epiphany, where the texts of Jesus' baptism is in focus. If baptism is necessary for salvation, it may seem absurd that Jesus had to be baptized. John the Baptist said so and many others have come down on the same side. But perhaps there is a key to understanding this in the book of Hebrews?

If you've followed my blog over the last couple weeks, have you noticed how Jesus for a brief time was made lower than the angels, and that he truly had to be as 'the children of flesh and blood'. This complete identification with humans was further confirmed further through baptism. Baptism signifies the transition. Jesus is ready to complete the mission: to save the world. His baptism was the gate to the road to Calvary.

Therefore Jesus’ baptism was necessary, not for his own salvation, but for that of the whole world. I think he saw it as a foretaste of death and resurrection. His comments to John: "We need to do to fulfill all righteousness" is a confirmation of that.

For me to be righteous before God, I must also die with Christ and rise with him. It is this that is 'baptism', and that ‘baptism’ is necessary for salvation. The rituals can symbolize this in a good way, but if it does not happen on the inner level, they are external actions only in conjunction with religious ceremonies. Piety concerned Jesus. The ‘inner’ characterizes the ‘external’ and not the opposite. Therefore, the Army opted out of the external rituals without thereby saying that it is wrong to exercise and take full advantage of them.

In order to live a sacramental life, it is necessary to be 'baptized'. How it happens is a mystery, and in the expository lesson later today I will testify to the mighty 'experience' I had when I recognized and became aware of what it meant to be dead with Christ and raised with Him in this life

Today's 'manna':
I'm dead and risen with Christ."

The General after six months

2012-01-19T11:29:00.001+02:00

Interview with General Linda Bond after six months in office.

Headlines week 3

2012-01-18T04:32:00.001+02:00

Preaching what-ifs
Wesleyan Life - "What if preachers developed a deep reliance upon the Holy Spirit like we did when we preached our first sermon?
What if the words of preachers painted inescapable, unforgettable, and compelling pictures of God's kingdom in the hearts of people?
What if preaching was so brutally honest about the bad news that people craved the good news?"

Martin Luther King Jr.: A Letter to American Christians in 1956 (and Today)

Ed Stetzer - In a 1956 message, Martin Luther King Jr. reads an imaginary letter from the Apostle Paul. I've excerpted it below, but be sure to read the whole message.
"I am impelled to write you concerning the responsibilities laid upon you to live as Christians in the midst of an unChristian world. That is what I had to do. That is what every Christian has to do. But I understand that there are many Christians in America who give their ultimate allegiance to man-made systems and customs. They are afraid to be different. Their great concern is to be accepted socially. They live by some such principle as this: "everybody is doing it, so it must be alright." For so many of you Morality is merely group consensus. In your modern sociological lingo, the mores are accepted as the right ways. You have unconsciously come to believe that right is discovered by taking a sort of Gallup poll of the majority opinion. How many are giving their ultimate allegiance to this way."

Have I grieved thee with an ill kept vow?

Andrew Bale on FSAOF - "Every Salvationist publicly states at the time of their enrolment that they ‘believe and will live by the truths of the word of God expressed in The Salvation Army’s eleven articles of faith.’ In addition every soldier solemnly declares that they “will be true to the principles and practices of The Salvation Army, loyal to its leaders, they will show the spirit of Salvationism whether in times of popularity or persecution.
TSA in the UK has a hard-core clique of Officers and soldiers who are openly dismissing (in both practice and public preaching) the following Army beliefs:
    Doctrine 5 – Original sin
    Doctrine 9 – The possibility of back sliding
    Doctrine 10 – Holiness
    Doctrine 11 – The general judgment and eternal punishment of the wicked"

Franklin Graham about Rob Bell

Welcome meeting for the new cadets in Riga

2012-01-16T21:08:00.000+02:00

Sunday, January 15, the welcome meeting for the new Latvian cadets was held in Riga. Here are some pictures from the event.

The two new cadets in the center of the platform

The Training School worship group was leading the congregation in worship

The second year cadets follow was is happening with interest

Vineta´s testimony

Artur´s testimony

Riga Staff Songsters were singing

And of course flowers after the meeting

Here you can see more pictures from the meeting

Words of William Booth 1

2012-01-16T17:31:00.004+02:00

God´s promises are sure if you will only believe

"A few days before his promotion to Glory, the Founder was helped
from his bed to a chair. His speech was failing. Bramwell, daughter
Lucy and a nurse were giving close attention, ready to meet his every
need.
‘Bramwell – the promises,’ he whispered. ‘The promises.’ Then
someone prompted him by adding ‘of God’. That was the thought in
the old man’s mind; and slowly, with great effort, he went on: ‘The
promises – of God – are sure – are sure – if you will only believe.’
Almost every word was punctuated with a movement of the hand.
That immortal truth wasWilliam Booth’s last statement to the
world. He had always depended on God. He had proved that His
promises never failed. And he knew that God expected him to remain
true to all his promises.
The General had demanded much of his followers. The promises
his officers had made to him often alarmed more mercenary-minded
Christians, but he had never asked for more than he would give
himself."

Early Sunday morning in Riga, January 15

2012-01-15T04:22:00.000+02:00

Sunday morning again! I am slowly getting used to write 2012 instead of 2011. Yesterday the first snow came to Riga. Almost two months late.

This week has been very much about the School for Officers Training (SFOT).
- Monday the second year cadets started their studies in the new facilities in Agenskalns, Riga.
- Wednesday was the internal welcome meeting for the new first year cadets.
- Friday we had the teaching for the first second year cadets while the Becketts were drilling the two first year cadets for the welcome meeting on Sunday.

And today is Sunday and the welcome meeting. Everything is prepared. The printed programs with our greeting to the new cadets and the prayer cards so everybody remember to pray for the two new cadets (See right).

Here is our greeting to the cadets:
"Dear Cadets
We welcome you as cadets in the Salvation Army in Latvia.
We are thankful to God for calling you and thankful to you for being obedient to His calling.
Above the entrance to the Hall where we are celebrating your entering training there is a big flag with the text “Latvia for Christ”. That is our mission. Our mission is to tell people in Latvia they need Christ. Your name is “Proclaimers of the Resurrection” and you are called to tell people about the possibility to experience resurrection in their lives.
That is what happens when a person receive Christ. A new life starts. What was dead is made alive.
So many people in Latvia do not know about resurrection life. They do not know that there is forgiveness and a new hope. They do not know about the love of Jesus or the power of the Holy Spirit.
That is why God is calling “Proclaimers of the Resurrection” today. We pray that your name will be what you are.
We can assure you that our prayers will follow you during your training and in your ministry.
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to give them” (Josh 1:6)
Rut and Peter Baronowsky, Regional Commanders Latvia"

Directly after the welcome meeting Ruth is leaving for Prag for a meeting with the group preparing the European Congress in Prague in October. I think that will be the first European Congress ever. Are you coming?

But before that I wish you a blessed coming week
Peter Baronowsky

Always the whole truth

2012-01-13T03:35:00.001+02:00

From Marie Willermark´s blog. The Swedish TC explaining the new Comminication platform:

It is exciting when a new ad campaign launch garners the desired attention. Indifference is the worst that can possibly happen when there’s something truly important to say. When the Salvation Army in Sweden today launched its new profile targeting the general public I received many and differing reactions.

In addition to a revamped and more attractive SA red shield, which has been our most visible symbol since the late1980s, we also added the slogan "Faith is only half the story."

When such an expression suddenly lands in front of our eyes we might easily think about it as being, either, or? "What, the Salvation Army deals with half-truths?"

When we have something to say it is not the only message that matters, but to whom we say it. This slogan is not an attempt to describe why God has raised up The Salvation Army and to define our complete identity. We have indomitable pride in God's whole truth about His perfect salvation from sin and His holy will to keep us holy.

An effective slogan ought not be lengthy or seek to provide a full explanation. For us its purpose is to quickly reach people who have little or no knowledge of the Salvation Army. It serves as an appetizer, a teaser. Precisely, as has already happened, it will raise questions about the larger picture. People whom we reach through our advertising campaigns and fundraising letters often assume that social work is ‘all there is’. We want to garner reflections that allow us to clarify that faith is the substance; the whole of our reality. But we do not attempt to say everything at once.

When one uses a short expression,eg., “Faith is only half the story”, it's just an expression, an entrance leading to something larger. It has never been our intent or contention that there must be a literal expression of our theology.

When we formulate ourselves in this way, I feel a strong association with Jesus' way of communicating. He says for instance that ‘if the eye or hand offend us we'll pull it out, cut it off’.(Matthew 5:29-30) - but we don’t take the words literally!

When Jesus spoke in parables and images, it was often with exaggeration and unexpected twists to gain attention and attract questions that led to seeking the deeper truth.

When we commit ourselves to communicate with the general public we can never with words alone present the whole truth. It occurs only in the encounter between a seeking people and a living God.There is no public relations campaign in the world that can replace the live interaction between people. The whole truth about God's love and goodness is expressedcompletely through social work as well as in our worship services (SA meetings)

Our new way of communicating can neither improve nor diminish the good works of Christian discipleship that is ongoing every day in our (SA) businesses – programmes and projects. What we want to achieve through public relations is to ensure that the Salvation Army does not remain a closely guarded secret for a large proportion of the Swedish population.

Posted on January 11, 2012
Commissioner Marie Willermark

Headlines week 2

2012-01-12T02:33:00.000+02:00

Israeli and US troops gear up for major missile defense drill after Iran maneuvers
Washington Post - "The Israeli military is gearing up together with U.S. forces for a major missile defense exercise, the Israeli military announced Thursday, as tension between Iran and the international community escalates.
The drill is called “Austere Challenge 12” and is designed to improve defense systems and cooperation between the U.S. and Israeli forces. It follows a 10-day Iranian naval exercise near the strategic Strait of Hormuz."

Video Looks at Church Planting in Muslim World
Charisma News - "This video is focusing on the Tama people of Chad. Green says, "They're doing church planting there among a people group of about 200,000 people. There is no church and no known believers there."
Chad isn't known for its stability. "Chad is considered one of the most unstable countries in the world, second only to Somalia. There was a civil war several years ago. It's stabilized somewhat, but there is a large number of refugees," says Green.
Pioneers church planters have a huge task ahead of them. "These people are exclusively Muslim," says Green. "That is their identity. It's very closely tied to their ethnic identity. And the possibility of changing religious identity is very foreign to them."

The cost of freedom

Marie Willermark (TC Sweden) - "Ukrainian example of the Freedom Prize; reads Sweden’s Dagens Nyheter (Daily News) noting that Olexander Tymoshenko seeks political asylum in the Czech Republic. He is the husband of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko (famous for her braids). Her circumstances are described as though, "living in a torture cell."

Why does this happen in a free Ukraine? One thing that struck me during the five years I lived there was the standard for right and wrong and also what constituted truth or falsehoods. My reasoning led me to believe that this approach was fostered or that it was an unplanned result of the Soviet state ideology. All goals were measurable and all necessary resources were allocated in order to reach the goals."

Prophetic Word for 2012: Revival Begins With You

Jennifer LeClaire in Prophetic insight - "While I was praying over 2012, I received impressions about many things—some warnings and some promises. But what burned most on my heart to share with the masses wasn’t a list of predictions or a prophetic directive. What burned most on my heart to share are four simple words: Revival begins with you.
We yearn to see signs, wonders and miracles manifest today as they did in the book of Acts, don’t we? But are we willing to pay the price the early church paid? Are we willing to die to self? Are we willing to relinquish control to the Holy Spirit so He can move like He wants to move? Are we willing to repent for the character flaws that hold us back? Are we willing to walk in love and unity with true believers who don’t believe exactly the same as we do? Are we willing to war against the spirit of compromise that is raging against the church in this age? Revival begins with you."

Proclaimers of the resurrection

2012-01-11T20:20:00.000+02:00

The new cadets, Proclaimers of the Resurrection, started their training Wednesday. Here you can see them together with the second year cadets and the Training School staff.

The official welcome meeting will be on Sunday, January 15, at Riga 1 Corps.

The cost of freedom

2012-01-10T03:01:00.000+02:00

From Marie Willermark´s blog:

Ukrainian example of the Freedom Prize; reads Sweden’s Dagens Nyheter (Daily News) noting that Olexander Tymoshenko seeks political asylum in the Czech Republic. He is the husband of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko (famous for her braids). Her circumstances are described as though, "living in a torture cell."

Why does this happen in a free Ukraine? One thing that struck me during the five years I lived there was the standard for right and wrong and also what constituted truth or falsehoods. My reasoning led me to believe that this approach was fostered or that it was an unplanned result of the Soviet state ideology. All goals were measurable and all necessary resources were allocated in order to reach the goals.

What was deemed ‘right and true’ were those facts and associated actions that could be authenticated with a officially stamped documents. Even if all concerned were witnesses to a different and more plausible and honest reality, all worked only in accordance with the official version. A double standard that became a common everyday occurrence, and one that all lived their unreflective lives in.

When a person who grew up in that community is saved, comes to a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, it means not only a freedom from one’s own sins, but also as a colleague in Moscow told me, she also needed to be saved and freed from the identity as a ‘Soviet person’.

Consequently, it is not surprising for Ukrainians that those currently in power determine the legal framework of what constitutes official justice and truth. There are not many who believe that a president with a shady gangster background, credentials from diploma mills has become the country's leader on (his) democratic merits. He who holds the purse also pulls the strings.

Can we Swedes simply shake our collective heads and think, "poor them". Comforting that it happens far away in Eastern Europe. How far away is it really? There are more sophisticated means by which to manipulate freedom. If we do not realize and recognize the treasures we hold dear, we will lose them before anyone even notices it.

What is lacking?

2012-01-08T04:43:00.000+02:00

James Card about the Salvation Army - "What seems to be lacking in our modern Army, in my judgment, is the expectation that Soldiers will actually take the commitments of the Articles of War seriously. We have allowed life at the Corps to become, like many other churches (and indeed like much of our society in general), a spectator sport. Our people expect us to entertain them, teach them, provide for their needs; but do not expect to contribute much to the process. Ought we to insist that when our people promise to "spend all the time, strength, money and influence I can in supporting and carrying on the Salvation war" they actively do something about that commitment? Perhaps we might ask them which local officer position they would like to train for at the same time they sign the Articles of War."

Early Sunday morning in Riga - January 8

2012-01-08T04:08:00.000+02:00

Review of the passed week seen from my personal point of view.

Last Sunday, the first day of the new year, the Corps in Bauska enroled seven new soldiers! That was a good start of this year and several other corps are running recruit classes preparing for more soldiers enrolments. The Salvation Army in Latvia is growing.

During the week our youth leaders have conducted a camp for younger teenagers in Skangale. Teenagers from all over Latvia participated in the camp.

During the past week the Leader of the Salvation Army in Sweden/Latvia has started a blog. She has posted a blog about the high cost of freedom:

"When I see the number and variety of ads for wine in our newspapers and hear Sverker Olofsson in his television program (January 4), about Sweden, which is about to drink itself to death, - then I wonder who is paying the cost for that freedom. The children? The family? Teenagers? In any event, the cost is not borne by the advertisers and the drinking culture lobbyists. Why don’t more decision makers (you and I in our different roles and circumstances) exercise their freedom to say no to all that destroys, breaks down and kills?"

During the past week the School For Officers Traning (SFOT) has moved from Betania, which the School has shared with Riga 2 Corps, to the premises in Agenskalns where the Children´s Home just moved out. The Officers at the School have been working long days all week through to prepare the new facilities for the cadets moving in next week. It will surely be an exciting and blessed week.

I pray that also your week will be blessed.
Peter Baronowsky

The High Cost of Freedom

2012-01-07T08:28:00.000+02:00

From Marie Willermark´s blog:

The High Cost of Freedom
The question is not what the cost is, but rather who pays, and whose freedom is purchased.

The Arab democratization wave actualizes the political freedom’s dilemma. It should not only be won, but also realized. Young students, men and women, gave their lives to formulate and build a new future, but the established power structures appear to maintain control.

The "free market" direction has also been thrown open for discussion. When the municipal and state liquidation sales gained speed, arguments targeted the politicians and pointed to their incompetence to run large businesses. It may be a relevant argument, but it has been proven that skills to win bid proposals for improved activities in schools and social services has not fared any differently.

When I see the number and variety of ads for wine in our newspapers and hear Sverker Olofsson in his television program (January 4), about Sweden, which is about to drink itself to death, - then I wonder who is paying the cost for that freedom. The children? The family? Teenagers? In any event, the cost is not borne by the advertisers and the drinking culture lobbyists. Why don’t more decision makers (you and I in our different roles and circumstances) exercise their freedom to say no to all that destroys, breaks down and kills?

Fortunately, there is a freedom that can both withstand the need for control, corruption and profit. Magnus Malm writes thereof in the journal NOD, 2/2011. (Unfortunately the article is not available online.)

"Freedom has an inherent risk. The risk of things going on that we had not planned for. Our deep need for control meets its mortal enemy, freedom, and it becomes a duel to the death."

He goes on to reveal the whole issue in its important, original context: It has to do with whom we worship. Idols in biblical history are visible, touchable, tangible - but sadly dead. The living God is invisible and is therefore seen as perplexing - bewildering. "We carry the false gods. But the living God carries us. "

This is not only a question of theology. A sound freedom is the foundation for every person, family, community and country. (A) Freedom can only survive with the one who knows who and what is sacred in life. Freedom does not seek all that which I can find in order to extend my life. Freedom becomes greater when I consciously choose to waive that which is not pleasing to God. For if God is who he says he is, he purpose is to create healthy relationships - something that is indispensable for freedom to not be abused.

The analysis I’ve conducted of my own life reveals that I have an enormous amount of freedom. It’s obviously impacted on by external causes; I'm not poor and needy and I live in a functioning democratic country. But above all, I own a freedom purchased at a very high cost. My soul, my very spirit is freed from all feelings of guilt and shame. Such is the result of the outpoured and spent life of Jesus.

Abortion

2012-01-07T04:05:00.000+02:00

Salvation Army USA clashes with international group over abortion

LifeSiteNews - "Leaders of the American branch of the Salvation Army have criticized the decision by the international branch of the church to condone abortion in some cases, saying that the new position does not reflect the beliefs of members in the United States.

WorldNetDaily revealed that American leaders were infuriated by a Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission position paper accepting abortion in the cases of rape, incest or fatal fetal deformity in December.

Major George Hood, chief communications officer for Salvation Army USA, told WND that that the position statement had apparently been developed “through the London office that does not reflect the position we’ve taken in the U.S. on abortion,” and pointed towards the U.S. branch’s own statement, which is unequivocally pro-life.
The USA branch states: “The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of all human life and considers each person to be of infinite value and each life a gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and redeemed. Human life is sacred because it is made in the image of God and has an eternal destiny. (Genesis 1:27) Sacredness is not conferred, nor can it be taken away by human agreement. The Salvation Army deplores society’s ready acceptance of abortion, which reflects insufficient concern for vulnerable persons, including the unborn. (Psalms 82:3-4)”

Headlines week 1

2012-01-04T19:52:00.000+02:00

2012 Predictions: Persecution Will Increase in US
Prophetic Insight from Charisma - "At the threshold of this New Year, people everywhere are concerned. Escalating political, economic and social unrest have caused many, even believers, to become perplexed and fearful about the future. Jesus warned us that before His return, perilous times would come. But thank God, He has provided a way for us to not only survive but even thrive during even the most difficult of times."

Why people are leaving the church
ReporterNews - "Southern Baptists have become so concerned over the loss of church members and the failure to attract replacements that they are resorting to all means of stopping the bleeding and starting a new onrush of growth that some are considering a change of name, either to remove the name "Southern" because it is too regional, or even the name "Baptist" because it is not inclusive enough.
It is my opinion that the church, not only Baptist, is losing out because it/she is not saying anything to a listening world."

Pentecostal Renewal Transforms Rwanda after Genocide
Christianity Today - "We need to give people [hope] to live today by showing them there is life tomorrow. My auntie died because there was no sense of living again."
The Worship Center Church is one of a multitude of new, independent Pentecostal and charismatic churches throughout Rwanda. Most of them have sprung up since 1994. Recovery from trauma is a central feature of these new fellowships."

The General Offers Challenge and Encouragement in Latvia

2012-01-02T15:56:00.000+02:00

Report from the General´s visit to Latvia in the Canadian Salvationist

"The Salvationists of Latvia had great joy in welcoming General Linda Bond to their country, which is part of The Salvation Army’s Sweden and Latvia Territory. The General was accompanied by Europe Zone leaders Commissioners Robert and Janet Street (International Headquarters)."

Here the General is presented with a Latvian Salvation Army Crest.
Read more

Early Sunday morning January 1

2012-01-01T07:49:00.000+02:00

A new year has just started. How will it be? Those thoughts easily come a New Years Day.
The Salvation Army in latvia will meet new challenges.
-We have just closed our Children´s Home in Riga and laid off the staff. A new program will soon start in the premises.
-A new session at the School for Officers Training will start in January.
-The text "Latvia for Christ" is still on our flag outside Headquarters in Riga. There are so many social needs. There are so many people without God´s light.
One year ahead we are looking back on the year that has passed. What shall I write on my blog by that time?

Last Sunday we went to a prison in Riga together with Andrejs and Irina. We had to pass a number of security gates and checks before we arrived at the prison chapel. When we entered the chapel it was filled with prisoners. Ruth an myself played cornet and piano, Andrejs and Irina sang. We served tea and something to eat and gave out envelopes with stamps so the prisoners could send a Christmas greeting to their relatives. After the meeting many of the prisoners stayed for a talk.

On the way into the prison...

...and on our way out

Another new thing is that I have received fleas. Maybe it was in the prison, maybe somwhere else. I have stitches on several parts of my body and I am really a bit proud of that. I am thinking of an episode when someone spitted on William Booth. One of the soldiers came up to William Booth to take the spittle away, but William Booth stopped him with the words "Let it be. It is a medal!" I can almost feel the same with my fleas. It shows that I have been among the people we are called to serve, even if my medals are not visible under my clothes. Well, the stitches are fading away so my suffering did not last very long.

Now it is about the future. I look forward for the coming year with confidence and worries, if it is possible to experience those two things at the same time. So much work needs to be done and our resources are limited. But God will provide resources for the things he wants us to do.

I pray that the coming year will be a blessed year for you. Thanks to all faithful readers of this blog during the year.

Peter Baronowsky

facebook

2011-12-29T15:48:00.000+02:00

Follow us and comment the blogposts on facebook

Prayer That Works

2011-12-28T17:25:00.000+02:00

Charisma Magazine - "Read this if you don't want your prayer life to become mundane.
Everyone has a different preference when it comes to prayer and how he or she feels is the best way to connect with God. The important thing is that you don’t want your prayer life to become mundane and never grow or change. You want it to be fresh, exciting and even explosive in the Spirit. We all want our prayers to be effective, and anyone who is full of the Spirit has the anointing to pray powerful prayers that produce miracles. "

Testimony Aivis Ilsters

2011-12-28T08:54:00.000+02:00

Sweden & Latvia is one of TSA Territories that adopted the Single Spouse Officer provision. We will be sharing information on the effectiveness of the provision, pro and con, from all of the territories where the provision was endorsed and adopted.
__________________________________________________
LATVIA December 19, 2011 from FSAOF.blogspot.com

My name is Aivis Ilsters and I live and minister in Latvia, one of the three Baltic States. I live and work in the capital Riga. I have lived here all my life, apart from two years which I spent in the Soviet Union Army (military) fulfilling my obligatory duty, while our country was still under the USSR.

I grew up in a time when there was little information about the God and His Son Jesus Christ – no books, no Bibles and no films. Most of the Churches and congregations that maintained any semblance of religious order did so without buildings. Their buildings were turned into theatres, sports halls, TV studios, museums, clubs, cinemas etc.

To attend church could cause lots of problems, although it was not actually forbidden. Our state church, the Lutheran Church’s only activity was a Sunday service, which were quite formal and attended by a small number of old people who rarely had anything in common with each other. There were lots of horrifying rumors spread about Baptists, for example; and what they got up to, but only a few people had met any Baptists or really knew anything about them. It was forbidden to preach the gospel or tell anyone about God (who the Soviets said did not exist) and most of the best workers in the Kingdom’s field at that time were old people who sowed the seed of Truth in their grandchildren’s hearts.

My parents were not Christians nor were my grandparents, although one of my grandmothers who lived in the countryside went to Church occasionally and had a Bible at home (an old one with old script). While spending summer holidays with my Grandmother I would sometimes wonder what could be written in such a big Book and I remember even trying to read it a few times.

I believed that there was a God, but I did not know Him – did not know THE MESSAGE, I had never heard it. I did not know that I needed to call Him to Save me; I did not know how He had created the world and how sin had broken our fellowship with Him and how Jesus had come to restore our eternal spirits through His death for us. In Soviet times we did not celebrate Christ’s birth, death and resurrection as public holidays.

The messenger of Good News.
God sent me the first messenger when I was studying in Technical College. Tom was my classmate and we became good friends. He was a Christian and he talked to me about God and Jesus. I remember being quite open about The Truth and I almost started to attend his church. After I met him, I promised to myself that I would read the Bible one day.

When I was drafted to serve in the regular military service, my first prayer (which I did not realize at that time was a prayer) was the words of one church chorus. My grandmother gave it to me to take with me to the Army. The words of the chorus were:
You are the best of friends
Be with me as you always are
In a midst of greed and jealousy
Only you can strengthen me
When the storm of trouble comes
Be my shelter, be my guard
Take a place in me
What you want me, I will be.

I was sent to a country called Uzbekistan (in Asia), which is a country neighboring Afghanistan. At that time the USSR was still involved in a war there and soldiers were being sent to the war zone from our training base. Fortunately, God ended the war and I stayed in Uzbekistan where I served for two years as a military cook (for which I was trained).

I came home from the Army just before our country got back our independence. We had had independence only once before in our history from 1918 until 1940. I returned very depressed. I could not see the meaning of my life and I lived in fear of death. It was Christmas time and as a present from my friend I received a New Testament. This was the same friend – Tom, who had shared his faith with me when we had studied together. I remembered my wish to read the Bible someday and decided this was the day. I started to read the New Testament and as I read it I discovered the Truth – Jesus Christ as the only way to know God and have faith in Him. The more I read, the more I was amazed about the stories and statements that the Bible held. God opened to me His treasures and His truth. I realized how precious it is to know Him and belong to His family of believers. I realized that my sin even involved my ignorance of God’s love and my life without Jesus in it. This was not just a one-day confession, but over a period of time the Spirit worked around and in my life as I got to know and understand the Word of God.

Around this same time the Soviet Union broke apart and the unbelievable became the reality – freedom, the taste of which was long forgotten, was suddenly there. The dream, which many had stopped to dream for a long time was fulfilled by the Power of God and many acknowledged it as His miracle and presence. With the freedom He granted came the revival of the Church and many came to faith in the Living One.

With the freedom that Latvia received, together with the other post-Soviet republics, the door was open for missionaries to come, to live and to work in the fields of hearts and soon there was a flood of missionaries representing different denominations and religions. Some shared the Truth, some who were themselves deceived, deceived others to believe in other gods. I had been a Christian for two years when God put into the hearts of the Navigators from the US to come and live in Latvia. Through them, God worked greatly in my Christian life, causing me to grow and become mature in my relationship with God. Besides Bible their training material was Navigators “Colossians 2:7” Series. During the time they lived here they made “2:7” series available in Latvian language.

Now I am involved in ministry to repeat the process and share with others the same things that were taught to me. “Col. 2:7” Bible study series is the main material I am using in the process.
Many more things I have learnt over the years from co-laboring with my American friends. I have been involved over a period of years with the Church Discipleship Ministries work in Russia. I have traveled on missions to Siberia together with John Sackett, Dick Taylor and Jim Remeur. Through these trips God taught me how I can help Church people to organize small groups to aid them in the process of discipling people.

So now, for six years I have been involved in a small group ministry in various towns all around the country of Latvia. Many of the Churches I am involved with are Lutheran Churches as this is our state religion (church). Experiencing small groups is quite new for many of them and they are excited to get to know more about God in the atmosphere of a small circle of people where everyone can share their experience and also get to know each other and build each other up. My aim is to work together with the pastors of the Churches to start up these small groups – to give advice and help where possible. Sometimes this has meant that I go and lead the groups for some time to model what I am talking about. It is my aim though for other people to take over the leadership of these groups and so I try and work towards this. Over the six years, I have started to see the process multiply as people move to new places and start up groups where they move to.

My vision for the future here is to see this work in small groups growing in the Churches here. After our countries non-Church history, people do not have all the background knowledge of growing up in some sort of Christian environment. This makes the discipling process so vital. I would like to find more people to join me and to train some more people up, but it is quite hard to find those people who are ready and available. I know though that if God wants the work here to grow, he will provide those people.

Aivis Ilsters
Married to the Corps Leader; Riga I Corps

Sunday morning Christmas Day - December 25

2011-12-25T06:10:00.000+02:00

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luk 2:10-11 )

A great joy for all the people! Even if the great joy was meant for all the people, many people did not know about it. Most people were sleeping in their houses believing it was just another ordinary night. There were only a few shepherds who knew. And then there was some wise men from abroad who knew. And then perhaps also king Herod knew, since he did all he could to stop what was happening.

Today, many hundred years later, the situation is similar. Most people do not know. Some have forgotten and some had never been informed that a Saviour has been born. I believe that some angels are needed also today to bring the good news to the people. You are maybe one of them...

The Christmas week is coming to an end. An intense week for us with many Christmas Parties. Wednesday it was the Christmas Party at Patverums, an after school program for children with difficult famlily situations. The children performed a great play about how you can find the life answers in the Bible.

Christmas play at Patverums

Next day it was the Christmas Party at the Children´s Home in Riga. It was more sad. It was the last time there would be a Christmas party at the Children´s Home. The Home will be closed after Christmas.The reason is perhaps a bit more positive. The need for Children´s Homes has been going down and the Riga authorities are now closing three Children´s Homes. In January we will start a new program at the premises, an after school program similar to the program at Patverums.

The gospel was presented by a group of clowns at the Children´s Home in Riga

On Friday it was time for the Christmas Party at Skangal. Many people were gathered in the school building for a great celebration with drama, singing and christmas gifts.

Christmas at Skangal

On Christmas eve we drove to the west coast to celebrate Christmas together with the corps in Liepaja.

The hall in Liepaja was full already twenty minutes before the meeting when we arrived

The girls sang beautifully

All the children sang and performed a play

Christmas gifts from Sweden

The celebration ended with candles

And tomorrow, second Christmas Day we will go to the prison in Riga to have a Christmas service.

Have a great, blessed week!
Peter Baronowsky

The Christmas story

2011-12-25T05:17:00.000+02:00

A beautiful Christmas story

2011-12-24T03:56:00.004+02:00

Sven Ljungholm is writing from FSAOF Mission Trip to Latvia:

Last night we hosted a Christmas party for our Latvian children- 40+- dancing, games, singing and a movie highlighting our 8 previous visits... then came SANTA! The children literally jumped for joy!

The children's toys and games were doled out, too slow for some, by Santa (Derek) and the childrens' faces said it all; "thank you American, British and Swedish donors"! All except one...

Natasha, top Sunday School helper/student at the Seda SA outpost, tearfully showed Glad the gift she'd received, and we realized it was intended for someone aged 4 NOT 14!

All the gifts were distributed and Natasha had none! Glad gave her a loving hug and said; "Wait, I've got a gift for you I hope you'll like." She removed her favourite gold ear rings, a gift from her father some years ago and said, "I was wearing these in order that I wouldn't lose them and to not forget to bring them tonight; I brought them just for you..." And so that precious gift was re-gifted, a gift that meant so much to Glad because it had been gifted to her by her father.

That is the story of Christmas- God, the Father gifted us with that which was most precious to Him, His son- what precious gift are you re-gifting in love this Christmas?

I know what I'll be shopping for today, golden ear rings!

THE FSAOF MISSION TO LATVIA 3

2011-12-22T21:03:00.000+02:00

Glad Ljungholm writes:

Today has been a relatively quiet day in Skangali as we waited for the arrival of the Christmas presents for the children. We had already brought them to Latvia back in August but since then they had been in hiding from curious eyes.

We received them this afternoon when it was all hands on deck with Sven, Derek and Glad as we looked through what there was, sorted and began to wrap the gifts hoping and praying they will be put into the right hands for each child to get the best enjoyment out of them. Suddenly we had the arrival of more help that brought about a magical sense to the evening …

This was followed by a most enjoyable time of ‘food, friendship and fellowship’ as we were joined by Captains Sergey and Aizan, and Cadets Dmitri and Ilona for an evening meal in what has become our favourite restaurant in Valmeira; Latvia for that matter.

Plans were discussed and finalised for tomorrow evening as we ate and hoped that tomorrow night will be a very special and memorable evening for the children of Sakarni and Seda as they join together for a party.

Our prayer is that will have a few hours of joy to lift their thoughts from the misery so many will return to after the festivities are over...

Major Glad Ljungholm on loan to the FSAOF serving in Latvia

The Christmas story rapped

2011-12-22T04:03:00.000+02:00

Headlines week 51

2011-12-22T03:56:00.000+02:00

Don't Miss Christmas
Greg Laurie - "This Christmas, don't miss the point of celebrating Christmas. Don't be like the innkeeper who missed Jesus because he was too busy (see Luke 2). Make time for the Lord. Don't be like King Herod who was too afraid to let Christ rule His life (see Matthew 2). Turn your heart over to Christ. Finally, don't run your life like the Roman Empire, who missed Christmas because other gods took the place of Christ in their lives. Allow nothing else to take the place of worshipping Jesus Christ."

Report from a visitor at Riga 1

2011-12-20T19:25:00.001+02:00

Sunday morning found us at the Riga 1 Corps.

This was a first for us as we have usually been to Riga II on a Saturday and at Seda on the Sunday, so this was a really refreshing change. I was looking forward to worship, this fourth Sunday in advent and I was not disappointed.

As we entered the hall it was warm and welcoming as were the people. The Christmas décor was stunning in its simplicity. Candle lights dancing in the draft and there was an air of happiness and expectancy as together we gathered to worship Emmanuel, God with us.

H & S folk would have raised an alarm...

There was a mixed congregation, English, Welsh, Latvian, Russian and Swedish that I know of. A very real sense of:

‘They shall come from the east, they shall come from the west and sit down in the Kingdom of God’ and we did just that, young and old alike. It was encouraging to see a good number of young people, probably the largest part of the congregation who enthusiastically participated in the service.

A contemporary worship group provided the music for us. This was made up of both uniformed and non uniformed people. The translator was a non uniformed Salvationist and excellent in her ministry and she reflected what Lieutenant Sarah Ilster was saying to us in English.

Sarah has just been commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer this year and has been a distant learning Cadet coming across to the UK from time to time to help complete her studies. Sarah is an English, single spouse Officer, married to Alvis who is Latvian and SA soldier.

Alvis works for Navigators, a Christian organization and uses his God given gifts specifically in the area of teaching discipleship and at times lectures at the training college in Riga. And so together, with their differing gifts they serve God along with their young son.

It was a delight to sit under Sarah’s thought provoking and challenging ministry. She is an excellent communicator and shared the Gospel message in a simple, expressive way that left us in no doubt how Elizabeth and Mary’s story is relevant to our world, our lives today in 2011

Some of you who read this blog regularly may be interested to know that Sarah has agreed for me to interview her and to share it here in the new year, and hopefully when she is over in the UK she will be able to meet with our ‘Explore’ group

(those who are exploring Spiritual leadership in Liverpool).

Today, Monday as we visited the Regional Headquarters an invitation was extended for some of you to come and meet the Army in Latvia, during the summer of 2012. Watch this space for further details.

Sunday, however brought its own challenges, its own encouragement, its own delights. Voluntary testimony from young students of what God is doing in their lives. The enthusiasm and youthfulness of some of the Cadets who joyfully worshiped God and as always the beautiful sight of witnessing people kneeling to pray at the Mercy Seat.

Thank you Riga 1 for welcoming us into your midst. Thank you Lieutenant Sarah for your ministry to us and may God bless you real good!

Major Glad Ljungholm
Liverpool - DHQ

reporting for the FSAOF

Christmas gift from Charisma

2011-12-18T20:16:00.000+02:00

To download and share “The Wonder of Bethlehem”, by Fuchsia Pickett, click here.

Early Sunday morning in Riga December 18

2011-12-18T04:30:00.000+02:00

Another week without snow in Latvia.

This week we have had two special staff gatherings.

Firstly we had the great bowling competition between Head Quarters and the Training School. The winner was: Head Quarters! (See more pictures here)

Secondly we had our yearly Christmas Staff Party, with staff from all over Latvia. We were around 60 people gathered for entertainment, fun and good food.

See many more pictures here.

And now it is early Sunday morning in Daugavpils, three and a half hours southeast of Riga. In a few hours we will start the meeting at the corps. Today it will be junior soldiers enrolment. We are looking forward to that.

Have a blessed week
Peter Baronowsky

Advent Calendar

2011-12-11T06:03:00.000+02:00

Don´t forget to check our Advent Calendar daily. 24 memorable moments from the Salvation Army in Latvia during 2011.

Look here

Early Sunday morning in Riga December 11 - 05:36

2011-12-11T05:57:00.001+02:00

Another Sunday in a Riga. Winter has not really arrived yet.

Wednesday evening Ruth and myself took part in the evening meeting at Riga second corps. As usual the hall was packed with approximately 120 people. We sang duets in Russia, played cornet and piano and preached.

Friday evening we were invited to the Lucia celebration at the Swedish Embassy. We met a lot of people we knew and still more people we did not know. In this picture we are together with the ex-president of Latvia, Valdis Zatlers (Photo by the Swedish Ambassador Mats Staffansson).

When the Ambassador presented us to the ex-president, Zatler immidiately told us the address to our regional Headquarters, Bruninieku 10A. The reason that he was so well acquainted with our address was that he spent many hours of his time as a teenager in our hall playing drums in a rock band. This was during the time of the Sovjet occupation when our house was used by the Sovjet labour union.

Saurday evening there was a big consert in the Dome of Riga arranged by the Swedish Embassy. The Salvation Army was given permission to be in the Dome with a Christmas Kettle that evening. The Swedish Ambassador talked about the Salvation Army in his speech and asked the people in the packed church to donate money to the Salvation Army social work on their way out. All this thanks to our active members in our newly started Advisory Board.

The Christmas Kettle in the Dome of Riga

Now it is Sunday morning and it is soon time to go down to the Sunday service at Riga 1 corps.

Have a blessed new week
Peter Baronowsky

Worthing - another Salvation Army Corps

2011-12-10T05:05:00.000+02:00

Choosing Beliefs vs. Submitting to Beliefs.

2011-12-08T03:48:00.000+02:00

By Keith Drury

"Sometimes my columns are picked up and posted other places and one such posting gave me the idea for this column. My denomination, The Wesleyan Church, hosts a blog discussion and picked up my column on hell-Bell. I was prompted to go there when a couple of anonymous folk called me out, insisting I state my own “stand” on hell. That sparked the idea for this column.

Since I host discussions online that include Calvinists and Charismatics, liberals and fundamentalists, traditionalists and emergent, some suspect my beliefs are up for grabs. Worse, a few suspect I harbor all kinds of illegal positions on homosexuality, hell, abortion or something else. I am sorry to disappoint them. I’m pretty traditional. So traditional that all my positions are published in detail at http://wesleyan.org/beliefs . These are doctrines of The Wesleyan Church, my denomination. I like to hear those who differ with us, including Rob Bell, but there is no light between my own stands and those of my denomination.

When did I come to believe these doctrines? I did not decide them one by one. In fact I never “decided” to believe these things—I submitted to them. I submitted when I became a member of The Wesleyan Church and submitted even more so when I was ordained. I didn’t decide…I submitted.

That disappoints some people. They imagine another process. These folk elevate the individual, so they expected that I would have studied the Bible, read everything I could find on a subject like eternal security or tongues or hell and then I would have made up my mind on that issue, crafting my own personal statement of faith on that subject and move on to the next issue. After a decade or more of deep study, I would then have crafted my own personal statement of faith on all the issues. Then I suppose they’d have me go shopping for a denomination that matched my own private apostle’s creed.

That’s not how I “decided” what I believe. How it really happened for me as I was gradually exposed to doctrines as a child, teen and then a college student. But I joined my denomination long before I had read every book available on eternal security or tongues or anything else. How could I become a member of a denomination before I “made up my mind” on these things? I submitted to the Wesleyan doctrine. Maybe you suspect I believe these things less for submitting to them instead of deciding them? Maybe you think it would be better if I had “dated around” and tried out the other options before marrying the Wesleyan doctrine. Sorry, I didn’t date much (though I went steady with Calvinism for a few years before we broke up).

How I came to believe the Wesleyan Articles of Religion is the same way I came to believe the Apostle’s Creed. I didn’t study the Bible for a few years, then read a couple hundred years of church fathers, then write my own personal apostle’s creed. I simply submitted to the Apostle’s Creed that’s been around a couple thousand years. I believe it just as deeply even though I didn’t write it myself. I don’t plan to revise it personally. I believe it “as is.”

The only exception to my submission is if I want to get involved in changing my denomination’s doctrines. But, in that case, once the vote is taken, I would submit to whatever decision was made and believe it…submit to it.

All this makes me look weak to the rugged individualists. They think the individual makes the final decision on doctrine. I think the church makes these decisions and the individual submits to them. I’m not smart enough to write my own Apostle’s Creed. I don’t trust myself—or any other single individual—to decide matters this important. That’s why I have submitted my beliefs to the creeds, the councils and the articles of religion of my own denomination. For me, belief is less about “choosing” than submission.

So, what do you think?"

From fsaof.blogspot.com

Who is called?

2011-12-06T05:45:00.000+02:00

By Adam Couchman, Bexley North, NSW, Australia

"A question that’s been on my mind lately has been this; "What is a Salvation Army Officer?” More specifically, what makes a Salvation Army Officer different from anyone else? Indeed, are they different at all (apart from the obvious red epaulettes)? I've observed an emphasis upon the "call to Officership”, accompanied by an attempt to understand the place of ordination within our movement. All of this has led to, I would suggest, an ever increasing divide between Officers and Soldiers.

The problem here has been identified and analysed masterfully by Major Dr Harold Hill in his book Leadership in the Salvation Army: a Case study in Clericalisation.

The problem is whether Officership is seen as a function within our movement or does “Ordin›ation” and “Commissioning” somehow place Officers into a different "class" or even "caste". Historically and theologically we would align ourselves with the first option but more and more, at least in practice I suggest, we have begun to act like the second.

Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the way we speak of the "call to Officership". The “call” is treated with deep reverence within The Salvation Army. Ind›ed the Officer’s Covenant, which all Officers must sign, starts with the words (in capital letters, no less) "CALLED BY GOD". Those who wish to apply for officership need to demonstrate throughout the application process that they have indeed been called and that this calling is evident in their lives. Cadets are also expected that their calling would be affirmed and confirmed throughout their training.

The problem, as I observe it, is that this calling is frequently viewed as an "add on" to Soldiership. In this way Officers become those people who have received “something extra” from God that others have not (in this case a “calling”). An extreme interpretation of this may even suggest that it is a subtle form of Gnosticism.

Some of the symptoms of this problem include the expectation that it is the Officers who are called to be Evangelists, Preachers, Pastors, Administrators, Leaders, Prophets, Worship Leaders and a myriad of other functions since they are the ones that have been "Called by God ". It is entirely unsustainable for them personally or for us as a movement to rely on one small percentage of our movement. As a result of this we have ended up with under-active Soldiers and over-active Officers.

So what's a possible solution?

A colleague of mine, Major Dr Dean Smith, preached recently on the topic "How do I know God's will for my life?” During what was an outstanding sermon he provided what I think is a different way to conceive of the relationship between Soldiership and Officership. He suggested this;

"We should assume that all Soldiers should be Officers unless they are called to something else."

In this way the calling to officership is viewed as a function of Soldiership not as something added on top of it. Officership, in this understanding of it, is not a status acquired over and above Soldiership, but a specialised form of Soldiership. The “call to Officership” is not an "add-on" for some Christians but a function of the one calling that all Christians share in. This is the calling of Isaiah 43:1 "I have called you by name; you are mine." The calling of some Christians will express itself functionally through Soldiership within The Salvation Army. The calling of some of these Soldiers will also express itself functionally through Officership within The Salvation Army. Indeed some Officers will later function in other specialised ways; teachers, drug and alcohol specialists, business administrators, divisional and territorial leaders. Of course, that does not mean that those who are not Officers are not called at all. Rather, the complete opposite is true. We must assume that all Christians are called but that the calling will functions within different, but no less important, frameworks; be that as school teachers, bakers or candlestick makers... or, indeed, Officers within The Salvation Army.

So, again, we return to the original question "What Is a Salvation Army Officer?" I've come to the conclusion that any answer to this question must be expressed in terms that intrinsically link it to Soldiership. Personally, I'm drawn to the phrase "Strategic Soldiership" for this purpose. This, for me, inseparably links Officership to Soldiership. Officers are, first and foremost, Christians, secondly Soldiers, and thirdly Officers.

If we relate this further to the mission of The Salvation Army we have to be honest and admit that entering into Officership actually requires a candidate to take a step backwards from the mission front. This is not to say that Officers are not involved in the mission, but rather that they have taken on a new strategic role. Importantly, they remain Soldiers themselves but take on the responsibility of leading other Soldiers in the mission. The reality is, though, that Officers are not primarily on the "front line"... Soldiers are.

This strategic role is very important. This is a very necessary task. We need people to be Officers within The Salvation Army. What we don't need, however, are Officers who “think of themselves more highly than they ought” (Romans 12:3). Officers must not see themselves as somehow better, or more important than Soldiers because they are called and Soldiers are not. Soldiers are at the front line of Salvation Army mission. Officers are called to “Strategic Soldiership”, which necessarily remains one step back from that front line. The front line of Salvation Army mission will take place where soldiers engage in vocations in the world; as butchers, writers, child-care workers, doctors, businesspeople, cleaners, and a hundred other possibilities. This calling is, though, the same calling that all Christians share, including the calling that Officers have received. The calling is to God's mission field - for everyone; Officers, Soldiers, Adherents, and all Christians alike. Officers have a strategic role to play in encouraging, supporting and equipping Soldiers to carry out the mission of The Salvation Army wherever they are.

That is what it means to be a Salvation Army Officer. That is what it means to be a Strategic Soldier."

From fsaof.blogspot.com

Early Sunday morning, December 4 - 04:59

2011-12-04T05:10:00.000+02:00

The General is in Riga!

Yesterday (Saturday) the meetings with General Linda Bond started in Riga. The first meeting was a special gathering for all the Officers in Latvia.

The General recieves an exclusive Salvation Army Emblem, made by Janis

The group of officers after the Officers meeting

Now it is Sunday morning and a full day with the General is coming up. Two public meetings at Riga 1 Corps and a special gathering for the young people with the General.

Have a blessed week
Peter Baronowsky

Advent Calendar 2011

2011-12-02T11:00:00.001+02:00

FOLLOW OUR ADVENT CALENDAR
Click here

24 memorable pictures from the Salvation Army work in Latvia 2011. One for each day until Christmas Eve. Two for each month of the year.

I´ll fight day, December 3

2011-12-02T04:00:00.000+02:00

I'll Fight Day is a Salvation Army youth servant evangelism day that will take place all across the world on Saturday, December 3rd, 2011. I'll Fight Day is a way for you to share the Gospel through practical acts of kindness: like giving out free hot chocolate, returning shopping carts or cleaning up at a mall food court. These acts are done "in Jesus name" for the purpose of sharing God's love in a way that leads others to ask "Why are you doing this?"

This event is a local, youth-led initiative where you and your friends can decide how you want to serve others in your community. There are many helpful resources available to help you participate in this event. Instructions, resources and promotional videos can be downloaded on this website.

The opportunities are endless for you to show the love of Christ in practical ways and help identify the Kingdom of God in your community. This is a great chance for you to join the revolution. I'll fight to the very end! Will you?

I'll Fight Day happens in your own city, neighborhood, corps, local mall, parking lot, intersection - wherever you can plant the seeds of revolution! Use this site as a resource for ideas, but I'll Fight Day is what you make of it, right where you already are!

Read more

Mad Enough To Walk On Water ! Part Two

2011-11-29T03:10:00.000+02:00

From FSAOF.blogspot.com

· A Picture of Panic

This is a picture of peril and it is a picture of panic! Momentary panic. We thought they were scared of the storm, but no, that was nothing compared to the panic that seized hold of them as they saw what looked like a ghost coming towards them.

We are so quick to panic at times, some yes, are more gifted in the art of panicking than others. Some of us may manage to throw ourselves into a real frenzy over many things that others might consider to be relatively small concerns. But telling panic-stricken people not to panic or worried people not worry, is not a rule of thumb seen to be overly helpful! If someone came to me and said ‘ now Sheila, I don’t want you to panic, but’ I would immediately interpret that as ‘ O no, I should get ready to panick!’

Jesus is the great rule breaker. And as these big strong men are crying out in fear and panic Jesus says; ‘don’t be afraid’, and the reason for them to not be afraid comes as they hear the words amidst the storm, ‘It is I’ - Jesus has not let them down, abandoned them...

When we are doing the will of God we may still encounter storms. We may wonder why. But the boat will not capsize; the winds will not sweep you out to sea. The evil one will not consume us. Amidst the storms of life hear the words: ‘It is I’. Jesus is with us – keep on rowing! The quiet waters and the green pastures are within us. He never lets us down.

Isaiah 43, ‘but now, this is what the Lord says – He who created you, He who formed you, fear not for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you, when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you.’,

· A Picture of Peter

And that brings us back to the picture of Peter, he who had never done it before. Would probably never do it again, but for one, mad, dizzy, amazing, extreme moment he does some water-walking. Jesus said, ‘come’ – so he did! He had wanted to but hadn’t been sure that he should do so; could do so. But Jesus says, ‘come’, and he jumps overboard. It’s the bravest thing Peter ever did prior to Pentecost!

He desired to be with Jesus. He wanted to do what Jesus did. Despite the raging storm he took the risk. After all, it was Jesus who had sent them out there in the first place. He knew in these moments that the One who had placed him out there in the danger zone, would bring them safely back home. And he came to know that if in the mean time he should begin to sink, Jesus would answer prayer.
‘Lord save me!’ Peter cries – and He did.

His prayer of necessity was brief but sincere. And although only three words were uttered, his simple plea was effective.

Peter had for one brief moment allowed the waves to overwhelm, flood his thoughts, but soon he was safe in the hands of the One who created the waves!

· Conclusion

When we find ourselves in the middle of a storm, while doing God’s will, learn from this story. The Creator of the waves is greater than the waves! He will not let us down. Keep trusting and you will be led by the quiet waters and green pastures…

MAJOR SHEILA LOMAN
Commanding Officer - Pastor
Birkenhead Corps UK

Mad Enough To Walk On Water ! Part One

2011-11-28T04:11:00.000+02:00

From FSAOF.blogspot.com:

Is there anything in the world that you would never, ever do and yet would love to do?

For example, when I lived in Surrey my house was on a hill and from my living room window, during the summer months I would often see hot air balloons rising up into the sky and floating across till out of view. I used to sit there watching, thinking; ‘I would so love to do that’ to go up in one of those balloons and glide across the sky. I’d love to do it but will never do it! Why? Not because of the expense. Not because of lack of time. But simply because, I am petrified of heights. Therefore it seems to me that to take time out and spend lots of money on a hot air balloon ride would be utter madness because I would not see a thing. I would be crouched down on the floor of the basket with my head between my knees, breathing deeply, whilst holding on to someone’s ankles for dear life!

Is there anything you would love to do but will never ever do?

Peter although a strong, fit fisherman, was not, as far as I am aware, something of an extreme sports fanatic. But we all know that Peter did something that he had never done before and would probably never do again. For one mad moment, one dizzy, crazy, exciting moment, Peter walked on water – in the middle of a storm, with waves crashing, washing over the side of the boat. He walked on water! He did what his head was telling him was the most reckless, crazy thing to do. Peter was mad enough to walk on water. And from this picture, this story, we constantly have much to learn.

This is a picture of peril at sea. I love a great storm! When I lived on the Isle of Wight I used to go down to the pier head on a windy day and watch the waves crashing over the rocks. But I wouldn’t have wanted to be sat on the rocks; I liked wave watching from a comfortable distance. I love a big thunder storm – if I’m tucked up in bed with the duvet wrapped round me and I have a big mug of hot chocolate in my hand (preferably with marshmallows on top!!) I wouldn’t be so pleased to be caught outside in it though.

The disciples didn’t have the choice of being on the shore watching the waves or tucked up in the bed listening to the thunder. They were right out there in the thick of it all. They know that they are in real danger…

And do you know why they are in such peril? Why they are in a boat, out on the lake, in the middle of a violent storm? Because Jesus placed them there! After a remarkable day of teaching and the most incredible miracles – 5000 people fed with one lad’s packed lunch.

After the most incredible day we read, ‘Jesus made the disciples get into the boat. These men are doing the will of their master. They are obeying Christ, taking him at his word and in doing so they now find themselves straining at the oars with the boat being tossed about by every wind that blows.

Yet the psalmist says that, ‘he makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.’
That makes more sense – doesn’t it?! That’s what we have come to expect from God. So what has gone wrong with this picture in Matthew 14? Why would Jesus send out his disciples to where no one wants to be?

The truth is that the quiet waters and the green pastures spoken of in Psalm 23, are within us. Our love for God. Our trust in God. Our faith in God brings with it an inner peace that comforts us despite that which might be going on externally.

And the truth is this, yes the men are being obedient to Christ. Yes, they have gone and done exactly what he has asked them to do. And now, while being in the centre of Christ’s will they are being tossed about by this sudden, violent storm.

Sometimes doing the will of God isn’t easy for us. Sometimes we wonder what on earth is going on. And sometime in the middle of the storm rather than being tucked up in bed with our hot chocolates, sometimes through the struggling at the oars of our boat we learn something valuable and we grow. We don’t capsize. We don’t get swept away out to sea. Because Jesus, who places us where we are (outside comfort zones), is on the shore watching over us. And then, just when it all seems too much – there He is, beside us. The quiet waters and the green pastures are within us, despite the storms around us!

Major Sheila Loman
Birkenhead Corps UKT

Early Sunday morning in Riga, November 27

2011-11-27T03:48:00.000+02:00

Sunday morning again! And not just any Sunday morning. It is the first Sunday in advent, when the count-down to Christmas starts.

We are lightening the first candle of advent and we put up our Swedish electric seven branched advent lights in all our windows. It is soon time for children all over the world to open the first window in the Advent Calendar

This year it will even be an Advent Calendar here in our website. From the first to the twentyfourth of December there will be a new window each day to open. And behind the window I will present a memorable event from the Salvation Army work in Latvia during 2012. There will be space for two events per month.

The word "Advent" means "arrival" and during advent we will also welcome the arrival of General Linda Bond coming to Lativa in the weekend of second Sunday of advent. That is of course a big event for the Salvation Army in Latvia.

Together with the General, Commissioners Robert and Janet Street will arrive in Riga. They will also come back to Riga for the Latvian Congress, June 15-17 2012.

In a few hours Ruth and myself plan to arrive in Bauska, south of Riga. We will celebrate the advent service at the corps in Bauska. The theme for the service will of course be the Arrival=Advent of Jesus, which is presented in different ways in the advent songs and in the advent Bible texts:
-Jesus is born as a little child in Jerusalem
-Jesus is riding into Jereusalem on a donkey, which really is more an easter event
-Jesu will come back back one day in the end of times
-Jesus is coming to us in our daily life through the Holy Spirit

I look forward to remember all this and to sing the old advent psalms.

Have a blessed advent Sunday and a blessed week after that. And do not forget to follow the Advent Calendar at rupeba.se. It starts on Thursday.

/Peter Baronowsky

Leaving Amish Paradise

2011-11-26T02:35:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I published a series of short films from BBC about problems in the Amish Paradise.
Two years later BBC made a follow up on what happened with the family. Here is first of four films from BBC::

Here you can see the following parts.

Problems in Amish Paradise

2011-11-24T21:34:00.007+02:00

There has been a number of articles lately in Swedish papers about the Amish People.
BBC made a documentary about two Amish families questioning the Amish society.

Here is the first part of six ten minute films. It gives a good insight in the Amish society and is well worth seeing.

The other parts can be seens here.

Headlines week 47

2011-11-24T05:22:00.000+02:00

It's Time to Pray
Greg Laurie - "Prayer was, and still is, the church's secret weapon. Although the devil struck a blow against the church, the church gained victory through prayer as Peter was miraculously released. Sadly, we don't pray often enough. It is essential that Christians learn more about effective prayer, because all of us will certainly face difficulties, hardships, problems, and more than a few box canyons. So we need to discover what God can do through the power of prayer."

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Psychologically Tortured
Charisma News - "Sentenced to death a year ago after a court of appeals in Iran found him guilty of leaving Islam, pastor Youcef Nadarkhani is in deteriorating health, having endured physical and psychological torture to stand for his faith in Christ."

Why the Church Needs a Change in Strategy
Prophetic insight - "It doesn't take a prophetic voice to point out that our nation and our world are in trouble and the trouble we're facing won't go away any time soon. The body of Christ must prepare to stand in the midst of it to exert influence for the kingdom of God—and the clock is ticking. It remains to be seen whether we have adequately prepared spiritually, in attitude or materially for what must come."

Early Sunday morning on the Baltic sea

2011-11-20T06:26:00.002+02:00

Now it is Sunday morning and I am sitting on the boat between Stockholm and Riga on our way back home. It has been a busy week with half of the week in Riga and the second half in Stockholm.

On the boat, as well as in Stockholm, Christmas has already started. Here you can see some of the Christmas decorations on the boat, Tallink Romantica.

We will arrive in Riga harbour at 11 o´clock. The same time as the meeting starts at Riga 1 corps. Today the meeting will be full of young people from all over Latvia. After the meeting it will be lunch and a youth meeting "Open Microphone" where Ruth and myself will listen to the young people and answer questions about the Salvation Army in Latvia. I look forward to that meeting.

Have a blessed week

Peter Baronowsky

Headlines week 46

2011-11-17T05:00:00.000+02:00

The Spirit of God Descends on India
Charisma News - "As thousands begin to gather at Ford Field for TheCall, nearly 50,000 others poured into Lal Badahur Stadium in Hyderabad, India, yesterday, to hear Franklin Graham preach the Word of God."

21 Skills of Great Preachers
Desperate Pastor Blog - "The one thing most of us would rather do than preach, is hear another great preacher. I mean a “Great” preacher. I’ve learned plenty from hearing the best preachers, especially in a live setting. For most of my life, when sitting under a great preacher, I’ve taken dual sets of notes, including content on one list, and a separate set of notes on their communication skills. What have I discovered in these 40 years worth of notes? Here’s my summary:"

Tourist or Pilgrim?
Wesleyan life - "Growing up in a beach community in Delaware there were locals, and then there were the tourists. During the safe summer months when the sun was shining, the beaches were pristine, and the waves manageable, the tourist saturated the seashore like ants at a picnic.
Tourists are always associated by crowds, prime real estate, and main attractions. The tourist carefully selects the times and seasons of his arrival through the grid of comfort and convenience. During November when the nor'easters stir up an angry Atlantic, the beaches are always bare and no tourist can be spotted. (To the local, November is one of the best times to comb the beach and visit the pounding surf.)
By definition the tourist avoids the tough, the painful and the messy."

Francis Chan Helping Ministry Plant 586 Churches
Charisma News - "San Francisco's Tenderloin district houses 37,000 people in 586 apartment buildings. Francis Chan and a local ministry dream of planting churches in those apartment buildings—in every single one of them."

The General is coming to Riga

2011-11-16T03:33:00.000+02:00

General Linda Bond will visit Latvia and Riga December 3-4. Saturday evening she will meet the Officers in Latvia. On Sunday there will be two meetings, 11.00 and 15.00. On Sunday evening there will also be a youth gathering together with the General.

The Salvation Army in Korea enters its Second Century

2011-11-15T03:47:00.000+02:00

There exists a growing, vibrant and ultra-modern Salvation Army who hardly know of any barriers when it comes to proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. The 100 year anniversary Jubilee Congress was quite different than those celebrated in the USA or Europe. It was aimed primarily at people "outside" of the Salvation Army.

TSA had seized on the enormous "Seoul Plaza" in the heart of the 10-million city of Seoul. Over the course of a week thousands of people visited the many exhibition booths and tents, where professional presentations took place highlighting the Army's diverse work in Korea with great props and hundreds of Salvationists everywhere to greet and provide information to the public.

"Youth Cultural Festival"

On Friday evening there was a, "Youth Cultural Festival" at this huge plaza, which attracted an estimated 20,000 listeners, mostly young people. Present were famous Korean artists (professing Christians), and many modern SA bands, great vocalists from the Salvation Army, dance groups, street dance and humor.

Sunday Evening - A great salvation meeting plaza with over 20,000 people, all sitting on the ground. Lots of idle policemen, who sang along with the songs. Everything was reported on giant big screens and using advanced information technology sponsored by the Korean world-leading brands such as Samsung and LG. The major TV channels in Seoul stood in line to broadcast the meetings from the Plaza.

The Congress highlight was the Service of Thanksgiving on Sunday morning in Changchoong Arena. An hour before the meeting began a crowd of 12,000 had assembled. Several thousand were turned away from the meeting due to lack of space and watched the meeting on a big screen outside the building.

The general, Shaw Clifton, said, “the Salvation Army in South Korea is a well kept secret in the Salvation Army. That can not continue, we have much to learn from them”.

Facts about Salvation Army in Korea

Korea has undergone profound historical changes in the last 100 years, from the Japanese occupation to independence and then the Korean War in the early 50's. Since the 50s, the country has experienced something of an economic miracle. TSA during this period had an incredible growth. Today there are 43,000 Salvation Army soldiers, 10,000 civilian members, 7000 junior soldiers, nearly 800 officers, 62 cadets, over 800 civilian employees, over 100 000 Volunteer members, a variety of social institutions, the business of government schools, a private technical college, professional medical assistance to the needy, including many children from North Korea and Russia.

(Sven Ljungholm) fsaof.blogspot.com

Early Sunday morning - November 13 - 05:07

2011-11-13T05:28:00.000+02:00

We are living in a shaking world in many ways:
-in the Arab world the people are protesting aginst their leaders in one country after another
-in Europe the economic crisis is escalating
-will Israel attack the nuclear settlements in Iraq?

When I see what is happening I am reminded of a song we used to sing in the Salvation Army when I was younger: "When world countries are shaking and trembling down, and everything seems to be falling, then it is good to have your house build on the rock that will stay forever" (my translation)

There are many signs pointing towards the second coming or Christ:
-An economic crisis which seems impossible to handle by the present leadership
-An increasing international aggressive approach to the state of Israel

Meanwhile we keep on doing our work in the Salvarion Army in Latvia. The week has been filled by budget meetings and assessment talks, but we have also been working with two major co-operation projects:
-We have had a visit from the leader of the Salvation Army work among alcohol- and drug addicts in western Norway. We plan to start a cooperation project in Latvia supported by Norway.
-Is seems as we will recieve money for a EU-project together with a partner aiming to help people enter the labour market. People who have up til now never have succeeded to enter the labour market

Today it is Sunday morning and soon time to travel to Iecava for the Sunday morning service. The corps has just started a course for people interested in becoming members in the Salvation Army. Today we will also hand out certificates for the faithful volunteers in the corps.

Have a blessed week
Peter Baronowsky

Early Sunday morning, November 6

2011-11-06T05:58:00.000+02:00

Sunday morning again! First of all I want to thank everybody for all greetings on my birthday.

During the week we have decided where we shall have our meetings during the Latvian Congress in Riga, June 15-17, 2012. Our Congress will be held in the middle of the Old Town in the Great Guild Hall.

You are welcome to experience the Congress together with us. During the Congress we will also celebrate the commissioning of our cadets.

Have a blessed week
Peter Baronowsky

My name is Bond.....Linda Bond!

2011-11-03T04:04:00.004+02:00

Headlines week 44

2011-11-03T03:36:00.000+02:00

Coptic Christian Massacre Costs Egypt Credibility
Charisma News - "The Egyptian army’s killing of 27 people—including at least 23 Christians—who were protesting the burning of a church building has removed any respect most Egyptians had for the transitional military government, according to Christian human rights activists in the country."

Cain says he’s pro-life, with no exceptions
Washington Times - "Republican presidential front-runner Herman Cain, saying he wanted to clear up previously contradictory comments on abortion, said Sunday that he opposes abortion even in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at stake."

Lithuania's Proof: 'Miracles Can Happen'
Charisma News - "Just on the outskirts of Vilnius, Lithuania, a line of cars stretched for miles, waiting to get into the cemetery for Sunday's national holiday, All Souls Day.
Inside Siemens Arena, there was a different celebration of souls taking place Sunday night.
But first, Franklin Graham posed a simple question to the 8,500 in attendance.
"Tonight, I want to talk to you about your soul," Franklin Graham began his message on the final night of the Lithuania Festival of Hope. "Is your soul secure in the hand of Almighty God?"

Day and Night Prayer for Justice to Continue in 2012
SA international website - "Picture God’s people united in prayer, where one hour isn’t enough in the prayer room and there is a desire for more, where children and youth are crying out for justice, where people are committing themselves for a day, a week, a month, a year or more of non-stop prayer."

Early Sunday morning, October 30

2011-10-30T06:24:00.001+02:00

No, it is not a picture of the new tunics for the Brass Band. It is something quite different. Last weekend on our way home from the course in Norway we stopped in Brussels to visit our old friends Fred-Arne and Sylvia. We have not seen them since we moved to Riga more than two years ago. During our visit we had the opportunity to visit the battle field of Waterloo. That is the place where Napoleon was less succesful some years ago. I found the picture outside the museum.

During the past week we have mainly been sitting in negotiations. Negotiations with the welfare department in Riga concerning the future of the Leontine Gorskas orphanage in Riga, which will close in the end of the year, and negotiations about the budgets for next year for the different operations in the Salvation Army in Latvia.

This week we had also had prayer 24 hours per day during seven days. I shall just start my shift at five o´clock.

Now it is Monday morning and we shall drive to the outpost Drusti in the northeastern part of Latvia. In Drusti we will have a Soldiers´enrolment of four new soldiers.
We will bring the flag for the enrolment, two boxes of new Songbooks (the old ones are worn out by all singing for many years) and a box with the new plastic bags with the Salvation Army shield which will be used for the food parcel distribution the coming winter. To the right you see the Commanding Officer in Drusti.

Next week we will go to a concert in Riga. It is my favorit male vocal group (next to the Norwegian group Mannssambandet of course) Ernie Haase and the Signature Sound. Here you can get a taste of how they sound:

Have a blessed week!
Peter Baronowsky

A CONCERT PIANIST

2011-10-28T03:37:00.000+03:00

Nicolaj Vollburg who recently turned 42, has a solid classical music education from the Malmö Academy of Music behind him. He studied at the Academy for five years and was a fellow student with Daniel Viklund, and they are once again classmates.

“Directly following graduation from college, I began freelancing as a concert pianist and conductor”, says Nicolai, and says that “there were many trips within Sweden and beyond. - You have to build a network if you are a freelancer”, says Nicolai, who adds that he is Sweden Director of Crescendo, a network of classically trained Christian musicians.

“Actually, I have lived with a pastor's vocation for many years, a vocation which I suppressed, but now, God spoke in 2008 directly to me and my family. The message was clear that we would move to the Mälardalen region of Sweden. There, I thought about continuing my music career, but God spoke again to us, and I realized that it was in the Salvation Army, that I would serve and that my calling was specifically, to proclaim salvation as an officer.

Nicolai and his wife Helen became soldiers in Västerås Corps and “the decision to enter the officer school felt just right”, says Nicolai. He is passionate about preaching the word and is no stranger to working as an evangelist in the Salvation Army; to travel combining music and preaching, but he adds that, “God will put him where he is most needed.”

(FA Sweden Wbsite: translation Sven Ljungholm)

Headlines week 43

2011-10-27T03:29:00.000+03:00

Study: Gays can change sexual orientation
Baptist Press - "A major seven-year study published in a mainstream journal is challenging the secular notion that gays and lesbians cannot change their sexual orientation."

Why Para-Church Ministries are the Best and Worst Thing to Happen to the Church
Plilcooke.com - "In the early decades of the 20th century – for the most part – the church dropped the ball. Secular philosophy, spiritual anemia, poor leadership, locked-in traditions, and more were keeping the church from making a real impact in the culture. In some cases, local churches farmed out the work of the Great Commission to their respective denominations, but even many of those efforts were poorly executed. Seeing that impotence, a generation of entrepreneurial thinkers moved outside the Church to accomplish what the church wouldn’t do."

Religious Discrimination Incidents Doubled in US Since 1997
Christian Post - "Though a country whose First Amendment mandates the freedom of religious practice, the United States of America appears to be suffering from rising religious discrimination in the workplace.According to statistics compiled by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, religious discrimination incidents have doubled over the past 13 years."

Five things I can't do (and you can't either!)
Wesleyan life - "Most of the things that sap my time and energy as a pastor—or in any aspect of life—are things I can't do by try anyway.
I don't mean dreams that are too big or goals that are too challenging. Those represent things I might accomplish if I work diligently and God blesses the effort.
I'm referring to things that nobody can do—they simply cannot be done.
How often have you wasted time, burned energy, or lost sleep on one of these fruitless activities?"

Global Variety

2011-10-26T20:56:00.000+03:00

THE results of the All the World Photographic Competition 2011 have been revealed. The winning entry has an appropriately international twist, being a photo of The Salvation Army in Pakistan taken by an American who currently lives in Korea!

Read more
See the pictures

Early Sunday morning, October 23

2011-10-23T00:41:00.000+03:00

Now I am on my way back to Riga after a week in Norway and the NLDI-conference (Nordic Leadership Development Institute).

It has been an interesting week together with a great group of people.

Alexander Hughes spoke about the Leader´s identity and picked the following qualities for Biblical Leadership:
-Submission
-Integrity
-Compassion
-Weakness
-Courage
-Leadership development
-Spirit-filled

Here are some pictures from the conference:

Four of the delegates. From Moldava, Romania, Denmark and Sweden

Commissioners Ingeborg and Alexander Hughes

Now it is time for a new week. On Tuesday we will have a gathering for all our leaders in Latvia, looking at visions and dreams sent in from last Leader´s gathering. That will be interesting.

Have a blessed week
Peter Baronowsky

Headlines week 42

2011-10-20T04:13:00.000+03:00

God Will Make a Way
Christiannity Today Leadership - "There’s an idea floating around Christian women’s circles. I’m hearing it more frequently. I’ve heard it from missionary colleagues and women at church. I’ve read it in books and seen it posted in comments on blogs. It goes something like this: If God has gifted and called a woman to lead, teach, pastor, or preach then he will make a way for her to fulfill that calling."

Rest in the Storm
Charisma Magazine - "My husband, Steve, and I once owned property that had an eagle’s nest on it. One day after a spring storm we went out to check on the property and found that a third of the nest had been blown down.
As I looked at the fallen pieces, it occurred to me that often when we think of eagles we picture the majestic bird that is our national symbol—a bird that is able to soar high above any tempest that might come along. We rarely think of eagles as having to go through storms."

Mars Hill Pastor: Mormonism Is 'Antithetical to Christianity'
The Christian Post - "The debate on whether Mormon presidential candidate Mitt Romney can be called a Christian carries on with the pastor of a Seattle-based megachurch being the latest to describe the Latter-day Saints as a cult, theologically.Simply said, by the theological definition, Mormonism is a cult,” wrote Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church on his blog Tuesday – the day author and speaker Chuck Colson told The Christian Post in an interview that Christians should not refrain from voting for someone because they are not a Christian. "

Vision plan for the Salvation Army

2011-10-18T06:32:00.000+03:00

GENERAL Linda Bond made a passionate call for The Salvation Army around the world to be united in mission and message and to grasp new opportunities as she launched the International Vision: One Army, One Mission, One Message.

The vision is given substance through 12 Mission Priorities – full details of which can be seen in the Vision Plan (http://sar.my/one). These priorities call on Salvationists to say 'we will' to principles such as deepening spiritual life; reaching and involving youth and children; and communicating Christ unashamedly. The General said she was aware that, if not approached practically, a vision could be 'only a pipe dream' but that the Mission Priorities make it clear that 'you have to do something'.

She emphasised that One Army, One Mission, One Message should not be seen as 'the General's vision' but that she wants Salvationists around the world – who she described as having 'the DNA of The Salvation Army tattooed on heads and hearts' – to say: 'This is our vision'.

Read more

Launching the vision plan

2011-10-17T12:46:00.003+03:00

Launching the Vision Plan from The Salvation Army UK on Vimeo.

Early Sunday morning in Moss, October 16

2011-10-16T01:57:00.002+03:00

This weekend we spend at Jelöy, an island in Moss in Norway. It is the opening of the new Conference Centre and the new corps building for Moss Corps.

It all started Friday evening with a march from the old corps building in Moss to the new facilities on Jelöy. The Salvation Army has now gathered on the same site the School for Officers training, the Folk High School, the Conference Centre and the Corps Building.

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

Friday was the corps day. Saturday was the special opening of the Conference Centre. Special guest was colonel Robert Street.

The Corps building

The Conference Centre

The view from the parking area

Ready to cut the ribbon

The cadets singing

The House of Praise singing

Now it is Sunday morning and soon time to go to the morning meeting in the new corps building.

I wish you a blessed week.
Peter baronowsky

Why should we wear uniform? Part three

2011-10-15T06:11:00.000+03:00

I believe the Salvation Army has a very unique commission. There are many denominations within the universal Christian church and we are all brothers and sisters. However siblings may not always be similar, either in appearance or personality. The Salvation Army's commission is to be an army that proffers salvation; a Salvation Army.

Jesus said: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. " (John 3:16 NIV). Jesus does not want anyone to perish, and so he raised up an army of people whose mandate is to save the people from being lost; a Salvation Army.

I believe in the Salvation Army's mission! People who let themselves be seized by the vision of an army that marches steadily onward to save people. People who are not ashamed of what we are; marching boldly without fear in uniforms and flags and all the trappings that belong to an army. An army that does not try to imitate any of its siblings, but one that’s confident and daring in his own identity. An army that is not a poor imitation of some other church, but dare to be what it is commissioned to be.

/PB

Why should we wear uniforms? Part 2

2011-10-14T04:44:00.000+03:00

In the first section I wrote about the Salvationists’ uniform serving as a testimony that we believe in the common priesthood of all believers and that we do not draw a sharp distinction between professional clergy and regular, ordinary church members.

Another reason to wear the SA uniform is to testify that; “I have entered into a covenant with the Lord”. The purpose is to enter more deeply into a tradition that has long existed within Christianity. Monks and nuns have historically aligned themselves into special orders identified by unique dress to testify that they have made the decision to resign from a nondescript lifestyle and enter into a covenant with God.

Becoming a salvation soldier means that I commit myself to live in a very specific way. The things one commits to when becoming a soldier are far from being inconsequential. Becoming a salvation soldier means that I have entered into a covenant in which I promise far more than I would do if I were simply a ordinary parishioner in another church. Every time I put on my uniform, I remind myself and all within my world what I promised:

"Soldier's Covenant

Having accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord, and desiring to fulfill my membership of His Church on earth as a soldier of The Salvation Army, I now by God's grace enter into a sacred covenant.

I believe and will live by the truths of the word of God expressed in The Salvation Army's eleven articles of faith:

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God; and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.

We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.

We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost - undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.

We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness; and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has, by His suffering and death, made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.

We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are necessary to salvation.

We believe that we are justified by grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.

We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.

We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.

I will be responsive to the Holy Spirit's work and obedient to His leading in my life, growing in grace through worship, prayer, service and the reading of the Bible. I will make the values of the Kingdom of God and not the values of the world the standard for my life.

I will uphold Christian integrity in every area of my life, allowing nothing in thought, word or deed that is unworthy, unclean, untrue, profane, dishonest or immoral.

I will maintain Christian ideals in all my relationships with others; my family and neighbours, my colleagues and fellow salvationists, those to whom and for whom I am responsible, and the wider community.

I will uphold the sanctity of marriage and of family life. I will be a faithful steward of my time and gifts, my money and possessions, my body, my mind and my spirit, knowing that I am accountable to God.

I will abstain from alcoholic drink, tobacco, the non-medical use of addictive drugs, gambling, pornography, the occult and all else that could enslave the body or spirit.

I will be faithful to the purposes for which God raised up The Salvation Army, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, endeavouring to win others to Him, and in His name caring for the needy and the disadvantaged.

I will be actively involved, as I am able, in the life, work, worship and witness of the corps, giving as large a proportion of my income as possible to support its ministries and the worldwide work of the Army.

I will be true to the principles and practices of The Salvation Army, loyal to its leaders, and I will show the spirit of salvationism whether in times of popularity or persecution.

I now call upon all present to witness that I enter into this covenant and sign these articles of war of my own free will, convinced that the love of Christ, who died and now lives to save me, requires from me this devotion of my life to His service for the salvation of the whole world; and therefore do here declare my full determination, by God's help, to be a true soldier of The Salvation Army."

Why should we wear uniforms? part 1

2011-10-13T03:20:00.000+03:00

I am constantly challenged to answer the question why we (Salvationists) should wear uniforms. Some say; “I can be just as good a Christian out of uniform as in!” And of course they’re right, one can. But I still maintain there are some very valid arguments for wearing a SA uniform. I will share just a few…

The vast majority of religious communities have some sort of priestly garb. They vary and can look very different one church to the next, but the notion that the priest has some form of distinguishing clothing has been with us since Old Testament times. In the larger denominations they even have uniquely decorated garments based on hierarchy; one’s status in the religious order. But the one commonality is that they have a need and intent to distinguish who is a ‘priest’ from those who are "regular" members.

The Salvation Army is different. The uniform is a testimony that we believe in the common priesthood of all believers. All members / soldiers are active workers. In many religious communities one is considered an active member by attending church services regularly and listening to the priest or Pastor each Sunday. However, being a SA soldier in uniform testifies to the significance that I belong to and am in God’s service. It signifies that all members of Christ's body are functionally responsible and not simply passive spectators.

Peter Barononwsky (Translated into English by Sven Ljungholm)

Headlines week 41

2011-10-13T03:10:00.000+03:00

Egypt's Christians, attacked by army, may flee country
Baptist Press - "Funeral services were held Oct. 10 in Cairo, Egypt, for some of the victims of a military attack against a group of Christian protestors that left 26 dead and hundreds wounded.
In the wake of what could be the worst act of violence against Egyptian Christians in modern history, leaders of the Coptic Orthodox Church have called for three days of fasting and prayer for divine intervention, along with three days of mourning."

Aborting the "Imperfect" Seen as Cause for Less Research
EWTN - "Carlo Bellieni wrote a report for the Vatican's semi-official daily last week called "The Elimination of the Imperfect."
"We note it by looking around us; we no longer see 'imperfect' children, marked by genetic diseases," observed Bellieni. "Censured by the media, sheltered by their families from a society that no longer accepts them (...) but above all aborted," these children "are systematically detected before being born and, once identified, they are often banned from being born."
"What is grave," the doctor stated, "is that this screening and selection no longer surprises us: it's the norm."

Top 10 gifts to give your pastor
Baptist Press - "October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This is the month when many churches will take some time to show their appreciation to their pastor for his love and ministry over the past year. Some churches will take up a love offering for their pastor."

How to talk to your kids about Jesus being the only way to heaven
What´s in the Bible? - "We live in an inclusive society. It’s more acceptable to be politically correct and to not make anyone feel uncomfortable, especially on matters of theology. Sometimes that makes it tough to be blatantly direct and unwavering in a fundamental truth. The thing is, truth is different than just a belief. Truth just… IS, whether or not one chooses to accept it. That’s how we Christians view the truth of our gift of salvation through Christ alone.
The challenge for many of us is to teach this fundamental truth to our children, while being mindful that it can be a confusing concept if we have family members who have chosen to not accept Christ. How do we handle those tough questions, like “Do you mean that Uncle Paul isn’t going to Heaven?”

The Salvation Army has lost a visionary

2011-10-10T06:15:00.001+03:00

By Major Glad Ljungholm

Steve Jobs, the visionary "geek" who changed the way the world looked at technology, has died. This is the news I woke up to this morning.  

STEVE JOBS 1955-2011       

The father of four started Apple Computer with high school friend Steve Wozniak in his garage in 1976 but was forced out a decade later. He returned in the mid-1990s and transformed Apple into one of the world's most powerful companies.

Despite resigning as chief executive due to his health, Mr Jobs said he would continue to play a leadership role. He was replaced by Apple's chief operating officer, Tim Cook, and took the role of Chairman of the company's board.

The pioneering businessman, who was the mind behind the revolutionary iPhone and iPad devices, had been fighting pancreatic cancer and underwent a liver transplant in 2009.

Apple's board said in a statement: "Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve."

"Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor," Mr Cook wrote in an email to Apple's employees. "Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."

The news Apple fans and shareholders had been dreading came the day after Apple unveiled its latest iPhone, a device that got a lukewarm reception. Perhaps, there would have been more excitement had Mr Jobs been well enough to show it off with his trademark theatrics.

A statement released by Mr Jobs' family said: "In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve's illness."

What a man … what amazing tributes to one individual. Reading these comments made me think of a phrase I often quote when conducting funeral services and I found myself praying it again today in response to a man I have never met, but in response to a man whose life has touched and influenced mine as I sit here typing on my Apple Mac laptop.

‘May his dying challenge my living’

Who of us wouldn’t want to hear said of us at the end of our earthly lives: "Glad's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enriched and improved all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Glad."

… ‘The Salvation Army has lost a visionary and creative genius’ …

"Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Glad have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor,"

"In her public life, Glad was known as a visionary; in her private life, she cherished her family.”

I don’t for one moment imagine any or many of these things would be said of me but as I read of this ‘driven’ man I found myself driven to my knees again and praying:

‘All my days and all my hours

All my will and all my powers

All the passion of my soul

Not a fragment but the whole

Shall be Thine Dear Lord

Shall be Thine Dear Lord’

Rick Warren at the beginning of his book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ asks the question: ‘What on earth am I here for?’ … life’s most important question. Answer that question he says and you will understand the ‘big picture’ how all the various pieces of our lives fit together.

The Apostle Paul had no doubt at all about the purpose of his life or that of the Thessalonian believers. They were created for relationship with God. This purpose, this holy purpose was constantly the focus of Paul’s prayers on their behalf. In 2 Thessalonians 1: 11-12 we read: ‘We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfil every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the Name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.’

In His earlier letter Paul had urged them to ‘live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His Kingdom and Glory.’ (1 Thess. 2:12)

Our true value, our great worth, our high calling is emphasised in Ephesians 2: 10 we are: ‘God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works’.

In his sermon, ‘The Drum Major Instinct’ Martin Luther King Jr asked not to be remembered for his Nobel Peace Prize, his numerous awards or where he went to school. He asked rather to be remembered as someone who ‘tried to love and serve humanity’.

Our names may never be famous, it is very unlikely for most of us that we will be world renowned and on the day of our death it is very doubtful that such breaking news will hit the world press as has Steve Jobs’. But, may his dying challenge our living and may we be reminded of the high calling that is ours and the purpose for which we were created.

Major Glad Ljungholm (from fsaof.blogspot.com)

Early Sunday morning in Riga, October 9

2011-10-09T02:30:00.000+03:00

A busy week is coming close to it´s end.
Monday we had a visit from the board of the Baltic Children Foundation. They have supported our "Change a village"- project in Sarkani. They came with a private jet to the airport in Riga to see the Children´s House for the first time.
The corps leaders and the cadet, doing field practice as children worker in the village, told about the project and the board members were touched almost to tears. Here you can see the house when we bought it and after one year.

And her you can read more about the project

Tuesday Ruth and I taught an Officer´s course on Discipleship and Wednesday we had a board meeting at Skangal.

Thursday we had a meeting with our Strategy Board looking at the reports from the Leaders Vision Day about the Salvation Army in Latvia in five years. Really encouraging reports.

Friday we had a Spiritual Day at the School for Officers training. Our guests this time were the Chief Secretary Johnny Kleman and the Program Secretary Eva Kleman. Their theme was "Do not loose heart".

Now it is Sunday morning and we will have a board meeting with the Leadership for the Sweden/Latvian territory in the morning 9 o´clock. The reason for the very unusual time for a board meeting is that Ruth is leaving for Prague later today to take part in a reference group preparing the European Congress in October 2012.

After the Board Meeting the Board will take part in the Sunday morning service at Riga 1 and then visit different Salvation Army operations in Latvia during Sunday and Monday.

And by then we are already in the new week. I hope it will be a blessed week for you.

Peter Baronowsky

Headlines week 40

2011-10-06T05:05:00.000+03:00

Virtual Dead Sea scrolls get more than a million hits in just one week
Haaretz.com - "More than a million people have visited a new website featuring high-resolution photographs of several Dead Sea Scrolls since the site was launched less than a week ago by the Israel Museum and Google Israel."

Should Religious Institutions Follow Anti-Discrimination Laws? Supreme Court Decides
Christian Post - "Should religious institutions have to follow anti-discrimination laws? That’s the question the Supreme Court will address on Oct. 5, when one of the most important religion cases in decades will be presented. The case concerns “ministerial exception,” a 40-year-old legal doctrine that protects churches and other religious institutions from government interference in their employment decisions."

Being a missionary in your own home: the rise of social media in missions
Mission Network News - "Two thousand years ago, Jesus told His disciples that there will be a day when "this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matt. 24:14, NIV).
"It must have been staggering [to the disciples]," notes evangelist Ron Hutchcraft. "But today, with the internet, with technologies--whether it is Twitter, or whether it is search engines on the internet, whether it is Facebook or social media--we're talking about the vehicle for actually having that happen. Literally, it would be possible for everybody to hear now, because technology reaches every corner of this planet."

Simplify Your Life
Joyece Meyer - "Indecision is a miserable state to be in and certainly is not a fruit of the simple life. Simplicity prays, seeks wisdom and decides. It doesn’t waffle. It sticks with the decision it made unless there is a very good reason to change it. The apostle James said the double-minded man is unstable in all his ways and will not receive anything he asks from the Lord.
How can God give us anything if we can never make up our minds concerning what we want?"

Early Sunday morning - October 2

2011-10-02T06:09:00.000+03:00

Another intense week is coming close to its end.
We had a great time at the Leader´s days in Daugavpils Tuesday and Wednesday. It was good to meet with all leaders again. Last time we all met was at the Congress in Stockholm in July.
Ruth spoke about visionary leadership and the leaders were given time to dream, pray and think about their visions for the future. How will The Salvation Army in Latvia look in five years? I look forward to read all the reports.

André van der Leij has published some pictures from the Leaders days on FaceBook

Morning prayers in Daugavpils

The next day we had a meeting with our Advisory Board. It is a group of prominent people from different sectors of the society meeting to give advice to The Salvation Army and help us to get the Army known in Latvia. In the board we have an ambassador, a lawyer, a politician, a journalist, a person from the academic world and several business leaders. It is a great group of people.

Friday we had visitors from TSA second hand shop in Lidköping and from TSA humanitarian aid in Västerås. They are both contributing to our work in Latvia. We also took time to go down to Bauska and look at their storage barn.

TSA storage barn in Bauska

Saturday we drove the three hours to Liepaja on the West Coast to attend the wedding of Olesja and Uldis. Olesja used to be our personal secretary and translator our fists year in Latvia.

Olesja and Uldis

Dinner after the wedding

Now it is Sunday morningn and soon time to go down to the Sunday morning meeting at Riga 1st corps. Have a blessed week!

Peter Baronowsky

Headlines week 39

2011-09-29T05:40:00.000+03:00

Holy Spirit Ignites Hearts in Sweden
Charisma News - "Last May, Operation Mobilization Sweden asked staff newcomer Karen Daniels, from South Africa, to organize the mid-August initiative. The name “IGNITE! Sweden” was her inspiration, born of a desire to see this land on fire for God once again. After orientation and training at the base in Jönköping, 20 participants from 12 countries (including seven from OM Lifehope’s Transit Challenge 2011 Team) divided in two. One group traveled to Malmö in the extreme south, and one headed to Stockholm in the north."

Should Churches Have Multiple Worship Service Styles? Consumerism or Contextualization?
Ed Stetzer - "I'm often asked about whether churches should have multiple services. It's a big question because it addresses issues of preference, consumerism, and mission. I've been thinking about it and wanted to ask your help to ponder it further.
This is another one of those areas where the pendulum seems to be swinging. When "praise choruses" were being introduced into corporate worship around the 1980s, churches that begin to use them were typically considered to have "blended worship," whereas churches that did not had "traditional worship."

The Value of Obedience (Devotional)
In Touch Ministries - "Despite Peter's vast fishing experience, he returned from a night's work with nothing to show for his efforts. It's quite possible that the Lord's request to let the nets down one more time struck him as unreasonable—after all, Peter and his partners were the professionals. Nevertheless, the fisherman complied, and his obedience blessed many.
Scripture demonstrates that divine plans often defy human logic. For instance, who would design a battle strategy that involved only marching and shouting? God told Joshua to conquer Jericho that way, and doing so proved successful (Josh. 6:1-5)."

Rob Bell Leaves Mars Hill Bible Church

2011-09-26T04:22:00.000+03:00

From CharismaNews

Rob Bell, the pastor who enraged Bible-believing Christians with his book Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, has resigned from Mars Hill Bible Church. Bell, who makes controversial—and some say unbiblical—claims about hell, says God is calling him to pursue a “growing number of strategic opportunities.”

Bell’s leadership team announced his decision on a statement published on the Grandville, Mich., church’s website on Thursday:

"The infamous quote 'change is the only constant' certainly holds true at Mars Hill. We have experienced ongoing changes that have improved and transformed—as well as at times unintentionally created tension or heartache within our community. And now, we have another significant change to hold together.Feeling the call from God to pursue a growing number of strategic opportunities, our founding pastor Rob Bell has decided to leave Mars Hill in order to devote his full energy to sharing the message of God’s love with a broader audience."

Early Sunday morning - September 25

2011-09-25T05:52:00.000+03:00

We are living in an unstable world. The headlines in the daily papers sounds more and more like Jesus´ talks about the last days in Mathew 24 and Luke 21 and like the descriptions of the last days in the book of Revelation. But the purpose with all texts about the last days are not to make us scared, but to give courage and confidence about a better future. "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke:21:28)

During this week the officers in the Eastern division in Norway have had their Officers meetings in Latvia. Ruth and myself have done the teaching and the visiting officers have made several visit at SA operations in Latvia: Riga second corps, The Social Centre in Riga, The children´s house in Sarkani and Skangali Manor.

The officers from the Eastern Division in Norway

The faithful daily work continues in our different operations in Latvia and pictures are frequently sent in to us from the corps and institutions. Here is a picture from the soupkitchen in Iecava 40 minutes south of Riga.

A normal weekly program at a Latvian corps can be soup kitchen, giving out food packages, giving out clothes, showers, laundry machines, Bible studies, Soldiers meetings, prayer meetings, worship services, Sunday school and youth meetings.

A very hard decision this week was to close our Children´s Home in Riga at New Year. The local authorities have cancelled the contract with our Children´s Home because the need to place children in Children´s Homes has decreased. It is of course good news that the need has decreased, but it is with a heavy heart we will have to lay off the staff at the institution who have served so well for many years. Specially since we are constantly working to create job opportunities for the people we meet in our ministries. and then we have to lay off staff ourselves...

From the personal sphere I just read in Dagen Nyheter that our relative, Mikael "Musse" Håkansson, just has become historic by becoming the person who have played most games ever in the top Swedish Hockey League. Mikael is grandson to Edith and Erik Håkanson, a great officers couple serving in Sweden for many years.

Now it is Sunday morning and it is soon time to go down to the Sunday meeting at Riga first corps. Soon a new week will be here and then we will be travelling down to Daugavpils for two days Leader´s Council with all our leaders in Latvia. I hope it will be a blessed week for you.

Peter Baronowsky

Call to Prayer

2011-09-22T02:53:00.000+03:00

Headlines week 38

2011-09-21T21:35:00.001+03:00

Beliefs About Heaven & Hell Impact Views on Work, Economy
chron.com - "Early last year, pastor Rob Bell stirred up controversy with a book and a discussion that questioned the strong, historically held, Evangelical belief in hell. In Love Wins, the aforementioned book, he introduced Scriptural arguments questioning the traditional Christian doctrines of heaven and hell, God’s judgment and love. Siding with God’s limitless love, Bell put hell in question. While many criticized Bell for undermining Evangelicalism and Christian orthodoxy, no one critiqued him for undermining the American economy."

Home Bible Study Fined in California
Charisma News - "Did you ever think you’d see the day in America when the government would harass you for studying the Bible in your own home? That day has finally come, and it’s a danger to the home church movement that’s spreading across the US.
A Southern California city is demanding that a small home Bible study group stop meeting unless they obtain a cost-prohibitive permit.
Homeowners Chuck and Stephanie Fromm were fined $300 for holding the Bible study."

Are You Serious About Being a Christian? Godly Character Is Key
Christian Post - "Book Examines What Blocks Christians From Spiritual Growth. Barna’s recent book, Maximum Faith, concludes that without complete determination to live like Christ and for Him, the path to complete transformation and spiritual growth is blocked."

Love Wins - A Review of Rob Bell's New Book

2011-09-19T04:55:00.000+03:00

Tim Challies writes a book review on Rob Bell´s new book:

"Questions matter. They can help you to grow deeper in your knowledge of the truth and your love for God—especially when you’re dealing with the harder doctrines of the Christian faith. But questions can also be used to obscure the truth. They can be used to lead away just as easily as they can be used to lead toward. Ask Eve.Enter Rob Bell, a man who has spent much of the last seven years asking questions in his sometimes thought-provoking and often frustrating fashion. And when he’s done asking, no matter what answers he puts forward, it seems we’re only left with more questions."

Read more>

WE NEED OFFICERS

2011-09-16T05:04:00.000+03:00

We need Officers ... "They are not better than anybody else ... Officership by its nature is about availability and mobility. In a worldwide Salvation Army we need people who are prepared to serve anywhere and be of service to the cause of Christ, with all their gifts. We need people who are available. So the more officers the better! We need officers who see this not as a profession in a secular sense but as sacrificial service. Officership needs to underscore sacrifice." - General Linda Bond

Headlines week 37

2011-09-15T04:00:00.000+03:00

Reconciling God’s Love and Justice
In Touch Ministries - "Some people reject the message of salvation because they are offended by the Bible's description of God's wrath. Even believers struggle to reconcile the Lord's love and justice. How can He at the same time be perfectly loving and perfectly just?"

Finding God at Church
Wesleyan Life - "The rate of church attendance has been falling for decades in North America. The primary reason, I believe, is not that the music isn't contemporary or the preaching doesn't talk about real-life issues, but that there is not power in our worship. We seldom sense an authentic connection to God."

Obama, Giuliani Read Bible; Bush Mentions God at 9/11 Service
Christian post - "Despite efforts to keep the 9/11 Memorial Service free of religion, invited speakers chose to read prayers and Scripture at the event. President Obama and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani read from the Bible on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City Sunday morning. Former President Bush read a letter written by Abraham Lincoln that mentions God."

Weekly Meeting Surrounds the World in Prayer
TSA International Web Site - "Salvationists and friends from more than 80 countries have already signed up to take part in the weekly Worldwide Prayer Meeting launched on 1 September by General Linda Bond."

COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY

2011-09-13T03:33:00.000+03:00

Ken Silva has written an interesting article about conterfeit christianity in our time.

"One of these teaching a counterfeit Christianity, which more and more within the evangelical camp are now openly embracing, is Emergence Christianity pastor Rob Bell. You need to understand that Bell is absolutely HUGE within youth groups right now and is well on his way to becoming an idol among ”Christian Untouchables” such as Ravi Zacharias and Ray Comfort. Right now Bell’s every bit as much an icon with youth pastors and youth ministers as Elvis was to so many adults in this nation. Now lest you think this is simply an old issue I literally received a letter this morning from somone whose evangelical church has started using Bell’s materials; and at this point, let’s keep in mind his book Jesus Wants to Save Christians. And just what do you suppose Bell’s Jesus wants to save Christians from; well, as you can see in Rob Bell In A Nutshell: The Bible, stodgy old Sola Scriptura for one. "

Read more at FSAOF

About Francis Chan´s new book "Erasing Hell"

2011-09-05T21:05:00.002+03:00

Interview with Janet Munn

2011-09-04T09:46:00.002+03:00

The grave threat to Israel you haven’t heard about

2011-09-02T06:14:00.000+03:00

From Jerusalem Prayer Team

"A frightening report from Israel’s Ambassador to the US Michael Oren raised the specter that the tottering Assad regime in Syria might lose control of its extensive stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons to Hezbollah terrorists. The Assad government is believed to have killed at least 3,000 of its own people and tortured and injured tens of thousands more in its desperate attempt to cling to power.

The Syrian stockpiles are missile-ready—and Hezbollah already has highly accurate D-class Scud missiles capable of striking any city in Israel. They would simply need to put the two together—a matter of a couple hours of work, and they could launch an attack using deadly Sarin nerve gas, mustard gas, or one of the other illegal chemical weapons Assad is known to possess. As you read the news reports from the Middle East, keep in mind that in many cases, a brutal dictator is being overthrown but replaced by even more radical enemies of Israel."

Headlines week 36

2011-09-01T06:06:00.001+03:00

Do Not Neglect the Holy Spirit in Parenting
The Gospel Coalition - "A better parenting paradigm is faithfulness-driven rather than results-led. Our role as parents is not to “produce” children who exhibit certain behavior criteria, but to be mere instruments in the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work in the heart of our children."

God Does Not Coddle Those Who Break His Commandments
Charisma News - "We in the church have failed to remind this generation that while God is love, He also has the capacity to hate. He hates sin and He will judge it with the fierceness of His wrath."

Oklahoma Church Has Ninety New Believers in Four Days
Wesleyan Church - "Ninety conversions in four days! That’s what happened at Alva Wesleyan Church on August 21-24, 2011. Pastor John Smith said, “Eighty-member churches don’t have ninety converts. God does that!”

Salvation Army Respond to Hurricane Irene
TSA international website - "Salvation Army teams in the Caribbean and along the east coast of the USA are providing assistance to people affected by Hurricane Irene."

InterFaith - The Devil's End Time Strategy

2011-08-31T06:31:00.000+03:00

From Omega Times
"Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In the plainest language Jesus is saying that no-one can come to God, unless it be through the shed Blood of the Lamb of God, who died on Calvary, in whom man might be set free of sin and reconciled to the Father. That’s basic Gospel! Furthermore, this statement is either true or false. If true, and I wholeheartedly believe it is through overwhelming weight of evidence, then there is no compromise, or dialogue to be had with those in error, other than to evangelise them....
....Compromise is a disgusting thing, especially in a spiritual sense. If you don’t stand for something, you’ll put up with anything. This is a by-product of a Laodicean Church spirit, where lukewarmness allows the world to go by and enemies to arise against the Church, with no heart or strength to oppose it. Which reminds me – I haven’t heard Onward Christian Soldiers sung for years. I wonder why?"

Read more

A misunderstood God

2011-08-30T06:19:00.000+03:00

Darin Hufford has written a book with the title "A misunderstood God" and the subtitle "The lies religion tells about God".

Roman Kozak has written a revue of the book he writes:
"Throughout the book, it is obvious that Mr. Hufford comes from a cliché fire and brimstone “mega-churchy” and “individualist-baptistic” upbringing. He is right that this type of “You can do nothing because you are scum; just have faith with no substance” preaching is crippling to humans, but his answers are wrong. The Misunderstood God focuses solely on the famous New Testament verse from 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”
Read more
If you read Swedish or use Google Translation you can read my comment here.

/PB

From Brengle´s life

2011-08-29T06:25:00.001+03:00

I have just re-read a biography about Samuel Logan Brengle, written by Alice R. Stiles.

Brengle is writing about his first impressions of The Salvation Army:
“Two or three things interested me when I first met the Army. One was their sacrificial spirit; another was their power. I shall never forget going down to the Number 1 Corps hall in Boston and seeing the officer-in-charge. The Major came in, blowing his trumpet, marching erect and with vigour. He preached sermons with fire and bite in them. These Salvationists were so different from the theological students who were so soft and easy, so powerless as compared with men like Gay.”
When Brengle saw this he thought: “This is my people.”

How did Brengle prepare his sermons?
“Asked by a busy officer how he would prepare if he had but ten minutes, he replied that he would spend the time in prayer. Brengle´s whole life had been a preparation for preaching. He explained how he prepared his sermons by preparing his own heart. For this he found prayer and Bible study the important factors. He felt that many folk made the mistake of spending more time preparing their addresses than in preparation of their own hearts, affections, emotions and faith. The result, he said, were beautiful words without warmth”

And preparing for retirement he writes:
“I will pray more for my comrades who are on the field and in the thick of the fight…meditate more…and read and ponder my Bible more, and try to interpret the life that surges all around me…then there are letters I can write to struggling officers on the fields…letters to missionary officers…letters to those who are bereaved, to those…in pain and weariness and…loneliness.
I shall find plenty to do. If I can´t command a corps or a division, or take part in councils, or lead on great soul-saving campaigns I can talk to my grocer, and doctor, and letter-carrier, about Jesus crucified and glorified, and about the life that is everlasting. I can wear my uniform and go to my corps, and testify. I can still take an interest in the children and young people. In doing this, I shall hope to keep my own spirit young and sympathetic.”

Several years later he wrote:
“The snows of seventy winters are on my head, but the sunshine of seventy summers is in my heart. The fading and falling leaves of seventy summers sadden my soul, but the resurrection life upspringing in flower and tree, the returning song birds, the laughing brooks, the swelling rivers, and the soft sweet winds of seventy springtimes, gladden my spirit.”

These are many good words for those of you approaching retirement age, and for those of us still young.

/PB

World Wide prayer meeting

2011-08-24T21:40:00.000+03:00

General Linda Bond invites you to take part in a World Wide Prayer Meeting.

For more information and for signing up please press here.

Headlines week 34

2011-08-24T21:35:00.001+03:00

Defend Marriage: Moms and Dads Matter
The Witherspoon Institute - "Presidential candidates in the next election should uphold marriage as the union of one man and one woman."

Surprise poll: young Christians more concerned about abortion/euthanasia than older believers
LifeSiteNews - "An online survey carried out in July by the UK’s Premier Christian Media has surprisingly revealed that euthanasia and abortion are issues of greater importance to young Christians than to older believers, whereas older Christians are more concerned with youth related issues than their younger counterparts."

Salvation Army in Uganda Supplies Water and Food
TSA international web page - "The Salvation Army in Uganda is responding to the drought crisis that is developing in some parts of the country. As is being seen across the Horn of Africa, people are dying because of a lack of food and water."

Idols in our hearts
Greg Laurie - "Idols in our hearts can cause God to refuse to listen to our prayers. An idol is anything (or anyone) that takes the place of God in our lives. Clearly it can be a sinful thing. But it also can be a seemingly good thing. For example, we can make an idol out of a career. There is nothing wrong with a career, but if it is more important than God, then it has become an idol. We can make an idol out of a relationship or out of a husband, wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend. If they are more important than God, then they have become idols. We can make an idol out of money. We can make an idol out of a possession. We can make an idol out of just about anything. And if we have idols in our hearts, then God will not hear us."

Signs of the Times: Ezekiel’s Prophecies Set to Unfold?

2011-08-24T04:31:00.000+03:00

From Charisma news:

"Last year an international crisis exploded when Israel stopped a flotilla of ships from breaking its naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The incident left Israel feeling more isolated, but some Jews saw the pages of Scripture coming alive through the crisis.
When Israeli commandos stormed the Turkish-owned flagship, Mavi Mamara, leading the flotilla, things quickly turned deadly. Pro-Palestinian activists attacked the soldiers, who then defended themselves. Nine activists died in the melee.
Israel acted to keep weapons out of Hamas-controlled Gaza, but that didn't stop an international rush to judgment.
The U.N. Security Council condemned Israel and called for an investigation.
Sweden, Ireland and other nations planned boycotts against the Jewish state.

Shifting Allegiance
The incident also revealed Turkey as a major player in the Middle East, with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan shifting his allegiance from Israel to Iran, Syria and their axis of power.
"Turkey was a friend of Israel for much of the last six decades," author Joel Rosenberg told CBN News.
"It's a democracy, it's a moderate Muslim country, it's a NATO ally and a friend of the United States, a tourist destination spot for tens of thousands of Israelis, and yet all of that is changing right now," Rosenberg said.
This change represents a major realignment in the Middle East.
Turkey—once a close ally of Israel and the West—is now openly courting the likes of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and ultimately Russia's Vladmir Putin.

Gog and Magog Soon?
So what does this shift of power and increasing isolation of Israel mean? Some in Israel and around the world believe it reflects biblical prophecy.
"Given the fact that Ezekiel 36 and 37 have largely come true—the rebirth of Israel, Jews pouring into the Holy Land after centuries in exile, rebuilding the ancient ruins, isn't it remotely possible that Ezekiel 38 and 39—the war of Gog and Magog—couldn't that come true in our lifetime also?" Rosenberg reasoned."

Read more

FORWARD! European Congress 2012

2011-08-24T04:09:00.000+03:00

THE Salvation Army's Europe Congress, led by General Linda Bond, will be held in Prague from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 October 2012.

Read more

Liberal Christianity – A Critique

2011-08-23T06:18:00.000+03:00

Michael F. Bird writes in Euangelion

"However, in terms of theology, “liberal” has negative connotations of compromised and revisionist beliefs. I’ve been called a “liberal” and I’ve been called a “fundamentalist” by different folks. The term “liberal” is used pejoratively but relatively to describe someone left of where someone else sits on a theological spectrum."

Read more

Early Sunday morning in Trondhein (Norway)

2011-08-21T06:57:00.000+03:00

An early Sunday morning in Trondheim. We are in the middle of a divisional Congress for the Northern Division in Norway. The theme for the Congress is "Go into His presence - walk out in His power."

The Congress started Friday evening with a prayer meeting and a welcome meeting.

Saturday there was Open Air meetings, Evening meeting and a late "Song service".

Here is a picture from one of the open air meetings. The rain did not stop the meeting

Today, Sunday, it is a national day of remembrance of the massacre in Oslo some weeks ago. That will be part of the Sunday morning service.

After the afternoon meeting it will be time to go to the airport for the return flight back home to Riga. We will come home after midnight if everything works out good.

Then it is time for a new work week and I pray that it will be a blessed week for you.

/Peter Baronowsky

CONGRESS IN LATVIA 2012

2011-08-18T04:16:00.000+03:00

There will be a Congress in Latvia June 15-17 2012. This will be a great opportunity to visit Riga and The Salvation Army in Latvia. Special guests will be Commissioners Robert and Janet Street.

During the Congress there will also be commissioning and ordination of the new Lieutenants.

In the beginning of 2012 there will also be information available about different hotel-packages during the Congress. If you have any questions please contact Iveta Rasa, iveta.rasa@pestisanasarmija.lv

The General is coming to Riga

2011-08-17T04:00:00.000+03:00

The Genreal of the Salvation Army, Linda Bond, is coming to Riga the 4th of December 2011.
There will be two meetings with the General at the Riga 1 corps. This could perhaps be an excellent opportunity to visit Riga.

Another great possibility to visit Latvia is the upcoming Congress in Latvia June 15-17 2012. More information about these two events will follow.

If you have any questions please mail to Iveta Rasa: iveta.rasa@pestisanasarmija.lv

Early Sunday morning in Riga, August 14

2011-08-14T05:23:00.000+03:00

Summer time in Latvia is camp time. Many of our young people spend a large part of their summers at camps. Last week I told about our regional Family Camp. Now we have received pictures from the Bauska Corps Camp earlier this summer:

You can find many more pictures from the Bauska Camp here.

This week we have our Childrens´ Camp in Ainaze on the northwest coast of Latvia, close to the Estonian border. It seems as if they have had a rainy week, but there is a good size sports hall at the camp site, so they can at least have good in-door activities. They will come back from the Camp later today with a report.

Many of our young people are on camp and many other are on vacation. That means a week at the office with time to do a lot of needed office work. We need to have a lot of things done, because next week will be full of activities.

During the week we have had late evening walks down to the river of Daugava in Riga. Looking out over the water we have had our evening prayers severeal evenings during the week.

By the Daugava river at night

Now it is early Sunday morning and now we will have a three hours drive to the west coast for the Sunday morning service at Liepaja corps. On our way back to Riga we will have the afternoon meeting in Ilmaja and when we come home, this Sunday has almost passed, and there will be a new week around the corner.

I hope it will be a blessed week for you.

/Peter Baronowsky

A long time ago...

2011-08-13T04:35:00.001+03:00

Study Proves Religious People Have More Joy

2011-08-13T04:34:00.000+03:00

From Charisma News Online:

"There may be a few atheists in foxholes, but a new study suggests that in societies under stress, those who are religious outnumber—and are happier than—their nonreligious counterparts.
Where peace and plenty are the norm, however, religious participation is lower and people are happier whether or not they are religious, the researchers found."

China demands new global World currency

2011-08-12T04:28:00.000+03:00

From News that matters:

The communist dictatorship of China wants to replace the US dollar with a new Global currency.

These two men will agree that the World need a new super currency. US President Obama and the President of China Hu Jintao

China holds large amounts of U.S. debt . A fresh commentary published by the official Xinhua news agency is critical of the U.S. government and questioned whether the U.S. dollar should continue to be the global reserve currency.
The Global elite promotes global solutions. The best caretakers will be a Global Government. This government will get a global currency as a tool, and the new regime will be backed by a large compromise among the worlds religions. On top of it all: A supreme "King", the last and final anti-Christ.

Read more

Warning! The thief is here!

2011-08-11T05:54:00.000+03:00

On Sunday we will be driving to the west coast of Latvia again. We will have the morning meeting in Liepaja and the afternoon meeting in Ilmaja on our way back to Riga.

In Liepaja I will preach about the thief being among us. He wants to steal, kill and destroy. But we are given an alternative, Jesus has come to give us life, and life to the fullI (Joh 10:10).

The thief is stealing from us in many ways. He has stolen Hope for the future from many people. From others he has stolen joy, peace and many other things.

But what I want to stress the most is how the thief today wants to steal our faith in the word of God. Because if he succeeds to steal our trust in the Bible then we cannot get saved, be forgiven or have a hope for the future. All these are promises from the Bible and if we do not trust the Bible we cannot trust our salvation or anything else.

It used to be that Christians believed in the Bible and non-Christians did not believe in the Bible. But today you hear Christians who do not value the Bible. Some even say that it is not important with the Bible since we can hear directly from God without being dependent on a book.

It is of course possible that Jesus can come into our mind, presenting himlself as Jesus and telling us about his death on the cross, how I can be saved and about his coming back to this world. But normally it does not work in this way.

And when we listen to God we can be mistaken. We can not allways be sure that the thoughts are coming exclusively from Jesus. What we hear can be mixed with our own feelings, hopes and even with the voice of the thief. The only way we can test messages is through the Bible. But if we do not trust the Bible...

The thief has not changed a lot through history. Already in the creation story he tries to create mistrust in the word of God "Did God really say....". He succeeded to steal the life God planned for Adam end Eve and he is stealing the same thing from many people today.

Do not let him steal from you! You can trust the word of God. In the Bible you can clearly see Jesus who can save, forgive and give you new hope for this life and the life to come.

/PB