BALTIC BRIDGES - SA Early 19th century Battle Fronts

From FSAOF blog:

Chapter 1
 “Every land is my Fatherland” 

1918 Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania declared independent states 1920-1940 Years of independence in the Baltic 

1924 Failed communistic coup in Tallinn, Estonia

1929 King Gustaf V visits Estonia and Latvia

1934 Leaders from the days of war for independence, Konstantin Pàts in Estonia 

and Karlis Ulmanis in Latvia, establish authoritarian regimes 

In a time of threats to internationalism Bramwell Booth, Catherine and William Booth's oldest son, emphasized The Salvation Army's opposition to provincialism, racism and enmity between peoples and nations with the statement: "Every land is my Fatherland, for all lands are my Father´s."

The Salvation Army did start as a local expression in the east London slums in July 1865 but it soon expanded beyond that limited area. 

In the beginning Catherine and William Booth did not have any ambitions to create a worldwide movement. They were totally absorbed in helping people in the slums out of the degrading conditions in which they lived. 

The work was successful, many became involved and quite soon there were activities established in other parts of London, in great parts of England and in different countries.
The new movement consisted of enthusiastic people who were not afraid of anything. Their methods varied from the established churches. Consequently they also met with opposition. But the opposition created a larger fighting spirit. That is shown particularly in the battle songs that were written and are still in use today. In the current Swedish songbook there is for example song number 625, written by one of the pioneers, George Scott Railton, and in the second verse there is the phrase from which the international vision comes: 

Onward we go, the world shall hear our singing:
Come guilty souls, for Jesus bids you come;
And through the dark its echoes loudly ringing, shall lead the wretched, lost 

And wandering home. 

Salvation Army, Army of God, 
Onward to conquer the world with fire and blood, Onward to conquer the world with fire and blood! 

The exclamation point lets us imagine the longing for battle and the challenge to serve. 

William Booth did not have any posts where soldiers eager to battle were waiting to conquer the world. But time and time again, in nation after nation, people who met The Salvation Army adopted the ideas and the calling to win others for God wherever they went. This was the case in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. 

Elsa Könönen describes in the book An Army on the March, which relates the history of The Salvation Army in Finland, how the young Estonian Army officer Lieutenant
Caspar Dahl, serving in Finland, received a letter from a Salvationist in St. Petersburg, Russia. The letter writer was Liisa Bakul, a soldier in St.Petersburg's fourth corps. She was from Estonia and together with some other Estonian Salvationists had returned to start the establishment of the Army's work there. They had not only started to function as an Army corps but had sought official permission from the authorities. 
On October 21 1921 the "Christian Association Salvation Army" was registered and approved by the authorities.

Lieutenant Dahl was happy about the news but became worried at the same time. He knew his Estonian comrades and did not believe that they had the capability to organize the work. Caspar Dahl spoke with the Chief Secretary in Finland, Colonel Gustaf Blomberg, concerning the matter. 
A letter was written to International Headquarters in London regarding the new branch on the Army tree. In March 1922 Staff Captain Rosa Hacklin was assigned to travel to Estonia to investigate the possibilities for the work of The Salvation Army there.

It is now possible to see how the pieces of the puzzle fit. 

The Salvation Army had come to Russia in 1913 and Rosa Hacklin was the first Finnish Salvation Army officer in Russia. The Estonian Salvationists who had moved from St. Petersburg knew her very well. The Swedish officer Karl Larsson played a significant role in establishing the Army in Russia and his book Ten Years in Russia offers lively and dramatic stories as to what happened in that large Empire The Army was first established in St. Petersburg and this book ought to be read by all who want to know the precursor of The Army's current heroic battle in Russia. 

BALTISKA BROAR
FA - Press Corp
Commissioner Sven Nilsson
Stockholm, Sweden

2003

Christian Growth & Persecution In India

- Prophesy News Watch -

 

Paris may still be fresh in our minds, but not many may remember that seven years back, massive waves of attack on religious grounds took place in Orissa, India. The aftermath of the massacre of Indian Christians in 2008 was gruesome indeed – nearly 100 dead, 56,000 people homeless, 300 churches and 6,000 homes raided and looted. A number of Christian women, as well as nuns, were also raped in the attacks.

The Hindu mob had reportedly organized violence against Christians whom they accused of converting Indians to Christianity. The riots targeted Dalits, also known as the "Untouchables" in the lowest caste system, because many had made the decision to convert to Christianity.

A recent Christian Post account further revealed that an inquiry into that massacre has concluded its investigation and is set to publish its findings amid reports that Hindu extremism is rising again. It is expected that the details of the worst anti-Christian violence in India's history will be finally be published in December.

The speed of completing the process of investigation seems to have suffered from political or administrative interference. Judge A.S. Naidu, head of the Commission of Inquiry, explained that "because of the lack of cooperation of many stakeholders, including the government, it took almost seven years to finish the investigation."

Soon after the massacre, Human rights activist Jagadish G. Chandra also made comments that became self-fulfilling with regard to the speed of the investigative report’s finalization: "The celebration is an opportunity to reflect on the theme of growing intolerance orchestrated by Hindu extremist groups across the country, and how these ideas have infiltrated the government, police and courts, eroding the values of justice, equality, secularism and citizenship enshrined by the Constitution of India."

Read more HERE.

It´s Thursday - Reflections on Genesis (51)

Revisiting the verse we looked at a fortnight ago, I felt it was worth looking at again  from another angle. 'Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.' Genesis 45:18. It reminds us of God's great grace to us. He wants us to have the best. He has a land for us that is far better than the one we live in. He wants us to go from our famine to his plenty. We live in a world of spiritual famine, but even now we can live in a spiritual land of plenty.

Pharaoh would have Joseph bring his brothers back to Egypt, to be where he is. God sent Jesus to be our brother and bring us back to be where he is. Jesus is at the right hand of the father and Joseph was Pharaoh's right-hand man. Pharaoh also says that carts are to be sent from Egypt to Canaan to transport Joseph's family and that they are not to worry about bringing their belongings as 'the best of all Egypt will be yours,'(v 20). It reminds us again of what Jesus said.... 'Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal,' (Matt 6:19-21).

Pharaoh wanted them to put their trust in him, assuring them that what he had for them was better than what they already possessed. That is how it is with God and his promises.

Pharaoh wanted to transport them to a new land, a better land, where he would receive them, welcome them and give them so much more than they had back in Canaan. So too with God. We don't belong here. This is not our home. Our home is with the Lord. Whilst others build castles of one sort or another or put down roots and claim their little bit of this world, we are but travellers passing through, heaven is our home, (Philippians 3:20, Hebrews 13:14). God bless you all

Hindrances to Prevailing Prayer

by David Wilkerson | November 27, 2000

Throughout the Bible, God's people are commanded to pray at all times. We're to pray when we're low, in good times and bad. And we're to pray in all seasons -- periods of joy and health, as well as sickness or depression; seasons of rest and prosperity, as well as sadness or grief. No matter what our sitiuation or condition, we're to pray without ceasing.

I believe every sincere Christian wants to pray. But, of course, not all of us act on this desire. Even mature believers slack off from praying. When they do spend time in prayer, they find it difficult and wearisome, and they quickly lose interest.

When I ask my friends why they find it so hard to pray, most of them shrug their shoulders. Their love for Jesus is genuine, and they have a great desire to pray. But they're baffled as to why they aren't more persistent in prayer.

After much prayer and study of God's word, I believe the Lord has shed some light on this subject for me. Here are five common hindrances to prevailing prayer...

Read mor HERE.

Syrian conflict for dummies

- From FSAOF blog -

President Assad (who is bad) is a nasty guy who got so nasty his people rebelled and the Rebels (who are good) started winning.

But then some of the rebels turned a bit nasty and are now called Islamic State (who are definitely bad) and some continued to support democracy (who are still good). 

So the Americans (who are good) started bombing Islamic State (who are bad) and giving arms to the Syrian Rebels (who are good) so they could fight Assad (who is still bad) which was good. 

By the way, there is a breakaway state in the north run by the Kurds who want to fight IS (which is a good thing) but the Turkish authorities think they are bad, so we have to say they are bad whilst secretly thinking they're good and giving them guns to fight IS (which is good) but that is another matter.

Getting back to Syria. President Putin (bad, as he invaded Crimea and the Ukraine and killed lots of folks including that nice Russian man in London with polonium) has decided to back Assad (who is still bad) by attacking IS (who are also bad) which is sort of a good thing?

But Putin (still bad) thinks the Syrian Rebels (who are good) are also bad, and so he bombs them too, much to the annoyance of the Americans (who are good) who are busy backing and arming the rebels (who are also good). 

Now Iran (who used to be bad, but now they have agreed not to build any nuclear weapons and bomb Israel are now good) are going to provide ground troops to support Assad (still bad) as are the Russians (bad) who now have ground troops and aircraft in Syria.

HANGING WITH US SO FAR?

So, a Coalition of Assad (still bad) Putin (extra bad) and the Iranians (good, but in a bad sort of way) are going to attack IS (who are bad) which is a good thing, but also the Syrian Rebels (who are good) which is bad. 

Now the British (obviously good, except Corbyn who is probably bad) and the Americans (also good) cannot attack Assad (still bad) for fear of upsetting Putin (bad) and Iran (good / bad) and now they have to accept that Assad might not be that bad after all compared to IS (who are super bad).

So Assad (bad) is now probably good, being better than IS (no real choice there) and since Putin and Iran are also fighting IS that may now make them good. America (still good) will find it hard to arm a group of rebels being attacked by the Russians for fear of upsetting Mr Putin (now good) and that mad ayatollah in Iran (also good) and so they may be forced to say that the Rebels are now bad, or at the very least abandon them to their fate. This will lead most of them to flee to Turkey and on to Europe or join IS (still the only constantly bad group).

To Sunni Muslims, an attack by Shia Muslims (Assad and Iran) backed by Russians will be seen as something of a Holy War, and the ranks of IS will now be seen by the Sunnis as the only Jihadis fighting in the Holy War and hence many Muslims will now see IS as good (doh!).

Sunni Muslims will also see the lack of action by Britain and America in support of their Sunni rebel brothers as something of a betrayal (might have a point) and hence we will be seen as bad.

So now we have America (now bad) and Britain (also bad) providing limited support to Sunni Rebels (bad) many of whom are looking to IS (good / bad) for support against Assad (now good) who, along with Iran (also good) and Putin (also, now, unbelievably, good ) are attempting to retake the country Assad used to run before all this started?

This should clear it all up for ONE and ALL!

In Sweden, No One Wants to Talk about Muslim Persecution of Christians

- Jacob Rudolfsson i The Stream - 

The horrific attacks in Paris should force us to ask hard questions about elements within Islam in Europe, questions mainstream leaders have tried hard to avoid. All too often such questions have been labeled Islamophobic or racist. The threat from radical Muslims has often even been relativized by organizations specializing in intercultural dialogue. In my own country of Sweden, the transition to a more pluralistic and religiously diverse society has led to increasing tension over religion. The majority of victims of anti-religious crimes in Sweden are Muslims and mosques, which have rightly received media coverage and support from politicians. But there has been little corresponding engagement concerning Christian victims.

According to recent numbers from the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, hate crimes with Christophobic motives have increased sharply in Sweden. In fact, hate crimes against Christians and churches have tripled in the past five years, making it the sharpest rise of hate crimes in Sweden. Compared to 2013, the number of reported crimes has increased 76 percent. But only recently have crimes against Christians started to receive media attention. Around 330 hate crimes against Christians were reported in Sweden last year (2014). Forty-nine percent were graffiti/vandalism of churches and parish houses and 35 percent were threats/harassment.

Read more HERE.

The evil of terrorism reached into Paris

- General Andre Cox -

I find myself writing just hours after hearing, and observing through the media, the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris. Some of you will have seen my urgent call via Twitter for Salvationists to join in prayer for all those terribly impacted by such senseless slaughter. I can only start and finish this brief message with the same call to prayer… pray long, and pray hard. I shall come back to this call.

I want to say that my purpose here is not to make political statements. Others are better placed and carry a particular responsibility to do just that. What I will say, and in doing so I add my voice to those of many leaders within the Christian faith the world over, please pray for political and national leaders. All of them, not just President Hollande and his team in France, but leaders in your country and mine.
National leadership is never easy. History shows that. These men and women need the faithful and continual prayers of the Church, regardless of our personal political persuasions. Whenever I meet with political leaders in any country I assure them of my personal prayers, and those of Salvationists in that country. It is important that they know of this.

And I exhort you today to pray, deeply, for the grace of God and the personal ministry of the Holy Spirit, to be felt and experienced, in some manner, by the hundreds of family members personally devastated by the senseless loss of life in these hours. Death comes to all, but how it comes and in what circumstances, can add layers of added grief and pain. These circumstances, wherein people were simply enjoying life and friendship on a Friday night, would have seemed the most unlikely for the terrible carnage which took place. The evil of terrorism reached into Parisian cafes and concert halls to strike its innocent victims.

And finally, in these few short paragraphs, I urge you to pray for the Church, the Body of Christ, of which our Salvation Army is a vital part. Pray that we will have the courage and the wisdom to fulfill our mission in these times, a mission given by Christ to be both proclaimers of his gospel and also ministers of his grace and love to all. To all… regardless of their culture, race or creed. We are brothers and sisters of one humanity. One humanity created, and loved, by God.

There will possibly be strong voices within the public sphere calling for vengeful retribution against those who had nothing to do with these atrocities. In some small way the voice of the Church, of you and I, can call for added grace and care in these days. We can bring light into the gloom.

Sometimes people say to me words like, ‘Never has the gospel of Christ been needed more. We live in the darkest of times.’ I understand the sentiment behind such comments, but we only have to look briefly at the unfolding of human history to know that always, through all eras, the gospel of Christ has always been needed. Have we forgotten the Dark Ages? The light of God as seen in Jesus, has always been needed to dispel darkness. Always the message of the gospel is needed by people, by all people.

We hear John testifying in the opening verses of his gospel, about Jesus, that he was ‘the true light, which gives light to every man (person)…’ (John 1:8). To every person who receives him, that is. Nothing is forced upon the individual.

Elsewhere, John talks about people, humanity, us, choosing to live in darkness rather than in the light of God, as most perfectly seen in the person and work of Christ. May it not be so in our case. And may we be witnesses to that Light which is the light of the world, the light which ‘darkness cannot comprehend’ (John 1:5).
So my friends, Commissioner Silvia and I exhort you to prayer. In troubling times, our knees must bend more than ever. I am reminded of the song we sing in the Army, the world over: ‘He giveth more grace’. There is a line therein which says ‘to multiplied trials he multiplies peace’.

People in Paris, and many other places, are experiencing multiple trials of the sort which most of us cannot really comprehend. For them we pray that somehow, a multiplication of peace, through the Holy Spirit, will be their experience. If not today, then soon. God’s grace be with you.