What is lacking?

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

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

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

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 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

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

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