Holiness and Secularization

- Jostein Nielsen (Norway) -

Yesterday I wrote that we are slowly but surely moving in the direction of the world. It is a necessary process . The word "secularization" has its origins in the Middle Ages and described what happened when the temporal power took control of property that belonged to the church. The church watched as the temporal power increased while -concurrently- the cleric power slowed and that its "sacred space" became ever smaller. From a "secular perspective" this is certainly a correct reading, but from a spiritual perspective it is a tragedy if I expect that God’s (the Spirit’s) influence in the world is dependent solely on church owned properties and constitutes only an economic and political force. The challenge is that believers and non-believers alike constantly confuse the church as; ‘an institutional reality’ and conversely, the kingdom of God as a ‘spiritual reality’. Ideally, the two would seek a common goal - but unfortunately, not always.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was concerned about this question and writes about a "religionsless Christianity". That means one is not to empty Christianity of content and interpret life without God, but to speak about God in a way that brings him back to the reality from where he has become homeless. * - Holiness (sanctity - wholeness) must return to the world. Putting it bluntly: The everyday must be ‘holy’, but first it must be ‘holy commonplace’. How can that be actual? There are probably several answers to that, but there is a divine method - I believe this. In this world thought pattern is the hardly logical:  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord.

Isaiah 55: 8 

The verse is in the context of the word’s intent - it does not return to the Lord before it has accomplished what He said.

Today 'manna':

I believe there is a divine communication method

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* Bonhoeffer: "Resistance and devotion" p. 209

Jostein Nielsen

Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army, NORWAY (Appointed as Regional Commander; Moldova-Romania from September 1, 2015

From FSAOF blog
Translation: Sven-Erik Ljungholm

Are You a Merciful Christian?

David Wilkerson (December 1996)

"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."

"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven" (Luke 6:35-37).

You probably remember the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis. Two angels, appearing as men, approached the gates of Sodom. Most likely they were dressed like any ordinary person.

Abraham's nephew Lot sat at the city gate, possibly in some official rank. (He may have been one of the city elders who welcomed visitors). When Lot saw the two strangers, he greeted them - perhaps aware in his spirit of something supernatural in their countenance.

Read more HERE.

Personal Reflections on Boundless

- FSAOF blog -

The Whole World Redeeming  2015 : The Salvation Army’s Celebration of 150 Years of  World-Wide Service - Elizabeth Hogan-Hayduk (Canada), Former Officer

For those of us who missed watching live-stream sessions online of The Salvation Army’s Boundless 2015 Congress in London, there were links provided for viewing the meetings the day after they aired. These recorded meetings, on SAVN.TV were posted to Youtube. This was a fantastic idea, because the time zone differences would have made it impossible for many viewers to actually watch the live-streamed meetings. In addition to the actual sessions, there were pre- and post-meeting sessions that were hosted by Gavin Schofield-Smith and Major Danielle Strickland. During the pre-session chats, viewers were introduced to individuals and groups that were participating in the congress. In the post-session chats, the hosts were joined by other guests to share their reflections and responses to the meetings.

The first session, the opening rally, was 3 hours long. The 'parade of nations' was so amazing! It provided participants—on site and online—with a visual of the global nature of The Salvation Army’s ministry and service. It’s one thing to say or to list that The Salvation Army is in 127 territories around the world; it is quite another to see that statistic joyfully marching down the aisles of the O2 Arena in London, with flags unfurled and traditional costumes. What an incredible testimony to God’s grace and love being shared through The Salvation Army!

Being a Canadian, I was thrilled to see Commissioners Brian & Rosalee Peddle (who were on staff at The Salvation Army College for Officer Training in Toronto, Ontario, when my husband and I were cadets)  walking in the Americas. You couldn't miss the excitement, joy and anticipation on the faces of everyone in attendance...whether it was the cameras panning the congregation or seeing it on the faces of the participants. It reminded me of the song, “Joy, Joy, Joy, there is joy in The Salvation Army. Joy, joy, joy, in the army of the Lord!”

Personally, I haven't 'missed' being in Salvation Army meetings for many years. I think that part of that is due to the fact that when we resigned from being Salvation Army Officers, we had a difficult time 'fitting back in' to local Salvation Army Corps/Community Churches. Yet, both our sons were dedicated in The Salvation Army—our eldest in Alberta and our youngest in Quebec. So, it has been very surprising to me to feel the emotional and spiritual impact--and the congress was just beginning! I knew that God had already been preparing the hearts and minds of the many people attending Boundless.  I am also convinced that many more individuals have been moved and motivated as they viewed the congress online. Furthermore, the lives of many will be challenged and transformed when they come in contact with those who were at the congress, as they return to their own countries and cities, and share what they've experienced. Undoubtedly, those of us who have viewed the meetings online have been challenged to take an even greater stand for Christ in our communities. In the words of  Fanny Crosby, “To God be the glory, great things He has done!” 

 

Read more HERE.

UK Poll Shows Up To 1.5 Million ISIS Supporters In Britain

- The Clarion Project -

There may be an estimated 1.5 million supporters of the Islamic State in the UK, according to a poll by The Daily Mirror.

Polling company ICM conducted a poll for the newspaper of 2,016 people, who rated their feelings on the Islamic State.

Support for the world’s most notorious terrorist group had risen compared to last year’s poll. Last year, two percent rated their feelings towards ISIS as ‘very favorable’ with five percent regarding the group ‘somewhat favorably.’

This year those numbers have risen with three percent feeling ‘very favorable’ towards the Islamic State and six percent feeling ‘somewhat favorable.’

Overall British opinion of the Islamic State seemed to very hostile. The poll recorded 80 percent of respondents as feeling ‘very unfavorable’ with a further five percent feeling ‘somewhat unfavorable.’ Six percent said they did not know.

This represents a hardening of hostility to the Islamic State. Last year 44 percent of respondents felt ‘very unfavorable’ towards the Islamic State, with 20 percent feeling ‘somewhat unfavorable.’ Then, 29 percent of respondents said they did not know.

The stark disparity can be attributed to the many high profile atrocities perpetrated by the Islamic State since their declaration of a Caliphate a year ago and their blitzkrieg conquest of Mosul and large parts of Sunni Iraq.

Read more HERE.

The ‘humanitarian aid’ aboard a recent flotilla to Gaza fit in two cardboard boxes

 - William Booth in Washington Post -

Pro-Palestinian activists aboard a Swedish vessel tried and failed to punch through Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza this week. Israeli commandos boarded the vessel, searched the ship and brought it to an Israeli port.

The Israeli military called the operation “uneventful.” According to a report, Israel’s Channel 2, one of the activists was zapped with a taser. The foreign activists were detained and are being deported.

In the scope of Middle East confrontations, it was a minor, though publicized, affair.

Afterwards, Israel’s defense minister Moshe Yaalon said, “there was no aid on board” the activist ship.

Not necessarily so -- but pretty close. We checked. You decide.

Members of the Gaza flotilla organization -- which sent four boats, three of which turned around before arriving in the vicinity of Israel -- have repeatedly said the vessel that was stopped, Marianne, was carrying humanitarian aid for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Asked to provide some evidence of the humanitarian aid, Ann Ighe, a member of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition sent this photograph:

Read more HERE

Implantable Biochips May Soon Replace Injections And Pills

- Belle Ringer in Prophecy News Watch -

I can't help it. I just instinctively recoil when I hear about another deal made between pharmaceutical corporations and biotechnology companies. Add in the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and I am instantly suspicious. So was Rob Matheson at TechSwarm, who reported that an implantable, microchip-based
device may soon replace the injections and pills now needed to treat chronic diseases.

According to Matheson, a company called Microchips Biotech partnered with Teva Pharmaceuticals, the world’s largest producer of generic drugs, to develop and commercialize its wirelessly controlled, implantable, microchip-based devices that store and release drugs inside the body over many years. The microchips consist of hundreds of pinhead-sized reservoirs, each capped with a metal membrane, that store tiny doses of therapeutics or chemicals. An electric current delivered by the device removes the membrane, releasing a single dose. The device can be programmed wirelessly to release individual doses for up to 16 years to treat, for example, diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and osteoporosis. Sounds good, right?

I will admit that medical technology has seen great advancements in recent years; and who can deny how great it would be to help eradicate and control all the above-mentioned diseases, or how much the industry has done to help our wounded veterans returning from war? But when I listen to some of the philosophies of the inventors, and who they are willing to get into bed with ... well, frankly, it sends chills up my spine.

Read more HERE.

It´s Thursday (30)

'The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.,' Genesis 39:5.

Having been sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph found himself in Egypt and was purchased by the captain of the guard to Pharaoh, a man named Potiphar. Although he could have had a far worse master, Joseph undoubtedly was not where he would wish to be. Yet we read, 'the Lord was with Joseph,' (vs 2). Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation and wonder why God has allowed it, or why he does not rescue us from it. We can so easily assume that if God was really with us he would not have allowed us to suffer so and as a result might think he has left us.

The fact is, to achieve his purposes through us, he might well take us though dark and unpleasant experiences. Joseph could so easily become bitter or morose with self-pity, but he didn't. From what we read he trusted God and made it his business to let his light shine, whatever his situation. He focused on being a blessing. And 'his master saw that the Lord was with him,' verse 3. Are those around us always aware that the Lord is with us in our attitude, our words and our actions I wonder? Potiphar was blessed as a result of having Joseph in his home.

I am reminded of that young Israelite girl that the Syrians took captive and was made to serve the wife of Naaman, (2 Kings 5:1-3). The Syrians probably killed her parents when they took her captive. She might have had every reason to feel bitter towards her nation's enemies, yet she made herself a blessing to that household. Someone else might well have taken delight at seeing the one responsible for their suffering suffer too. But that young girl was full of compassion for Naaman even though, as the commander of the king's army, he was ultimately responsible for her situation.

When life is just not fair, when we are badly treated or put in a situation we would rather not be in, may we not be focused on the injustice of it all, but seek out how God might use us to be a blessing there. It may well be that God deliberately placed us there for that very purpose. God bless you all.