Recently at our cell group we discussed our responsibility and response to the environment and the earth’s resources. This got me thinking about how the environment has become a prominent issue, particularly during the recent election, and how people fight for this cause because they believe that they can make a difference.
Today we see people getting involved in causes like the “Make Poverty History” campaign. The Salvation Army is no different with the “Stop the Traffik “ campaign which fights against human trafficking, such as child slavery”. While no one can argue the merits of such campaigns, one has to ask the question about how serious are we about being involved? Is it enough to merely say we support these causes and wear the t-shirts but then do nothing tangible about it or do we support it in a meaning full way?
It was pointed out to me just recently that there are people who use the Salvation Army’s work in such a way. The Army, as an organisation does great work and fights for the disadvantage but is simply being associated with our organisation good enough?
I would suggest that it is no good enough to hide behind the Army’s reputation or just wear the T-Shirts that state ‘I’II fight’ and not do anything more.
We must therefore ask the question, if we are serious about such campaigns then what are we going to do about it? God is not asking to support causes such as those mentioned above from the sidelines but to actively campaign for them, not just with our mouth, but our actions as well.
Let me know what you think?
Just a Note: Freedom Day 29th March 2pm till’ 5pm @ Box Hill Gardens
This is great way to start being involved. Contact your DYS for more information
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Ministering To Each Other
On Sunday night I led a group of youth from around the Division in a unique worship style.
Instead of having one person choose the songs and format of the evening, and instead of having one person speak on the selected Bible passage and theme, we all shared in guiding worship and exploring what the Bible passage and theme meant.
I have labelled this format Un-Church, after the un-conference idea. It was great to see the youth of the division participating and sharing in worship and exploring the passage (1 Tim 4: 12 - 15). An interesting addition to the evening was my being pelted with plastic coins every time I said the words Make Change, and the loud, sometimes forced laughter after every mention of the words New Zealand, organised by one group and joined in by everyone else.
I truly think that it is amazing what young people are capable of when we allow them to teach us something. I know that I personally gained fresh insights into the verses of scripture that were shared on Sunday night, and it is my hope that others did too.
God is at work within each of us, some of us recognise it and allow Him to work, others recognise it and try to stop His work, and perhaps others are unaware of it and miss the opportunity before them. How different would the world be if we all recognised the Holy Spirit at work within us and allowed it to work???
Joel
Instead of having one person choose the songs and format of the evening, and instead of having one person speak on the selected Bible passage and theme, we all shared in guiding worship and exploring what the Bible passage and theme meant.
I have labelled this format Un-Church, after the un-conference idea. It was great to see the youth of the division participating and sharing in worship and exploring the passage (1 Tim 4: 12 - 15). An interesting addition to the evening was my being pelted with plastic coins every time I said the words Make Change, and the loud, sometimes forced laughter after every mention of the words New Zealand, organised by one group and joined in by everyone else.
I truly think that it is amazing what young people are capable of when we allow them to teach us something. I know that I personally gained fresh insights into the verses of scripture that were shared on Sunday night, and it is my hope that others did too.
God is at work within each of us, some of us recognise it and allow Him to work, others recognise it and try to stop His work, and perhaps others are unaware of it and miss the opportunity before them. How different would the world be if we all recognised the Holy Spirit at work within us and allowed it to work???
Joel
Monday, February 25, 2008
More from Simon!
It's been a while since I added anything on the old blog. Sorry about that.
Last week we had our annual Aquatics water splash day. It's just a time where people of all ages come and have fun in a pool. We have the jumping castle, slip & slid, badminton Etc. It's good to see people hang and have fun.
It's kinda like what Jesus did a lot it seems to me that most of his ministry was spending time with people. He ate with them, walked with them, travelled in boats with them. A lot of how he discipled his disciples was in the every day I think.
I think we did some every day stuff on Saturday. My prayer was that the unsaved saw in us a life worth living.
Blessings
Simon.
Last week we had our annual Aquatics water splash day. It's just a time where people of all ages come and have fun in a pool. We have the jumping castle, slip & slid, badminton Etc. It's good to see people hang and have fun.
It's kinda like what Jesus did a lot it seems to me that most of his ministry was spending time with people. He ate with them, walked with them, travelled in boats with them. A lot of how he discipled his disciples was in the every day I think.
I think we did some every day stuff on Saturday. My prayer was that the unsaved saw in us a life worth living.
Blessings
Simon.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Feeling Seperated?
Today is a historial day in the history of our country. The Government says sorry to the aborginal and torres strait islander people for being forced to seperate from their families.
Now you can argue wether this should happened long before today or not, however this now means the long road to reconcilation can now begin. God who is the Father of reconcilation has long been calling us to come back to him and this has been made possible through His Son. When we are reconciled to God we feel valued just like our aborginal people will hopefully feel today.
Every Monday (through volleyball) I witness how people who are often ignored by society are feeling as though they are now valued because of this competition. For many of the partcipants, the competition has become their own community thus they in some way have felt reconcilation with the larger community all becuase of their new found self worth they have.
God transforms people when they reconcile themselves with him, so the the question is this. Are you reconciled with God?
If you are then what about those that aren't? Is there something you can do to start the the process of reconcilation with God?
Phil Shelton
Now you can argue wether this should happened long before today or not, however this now means the long road to reconcilation can now begin. God who is the Father of reconcilation has long been calling us to come back to him and this has been made possible through His Son. When we are reconciled to God we feel valued just like our aborginal people will hopefully feel today.
Every Monday (through volleyball) I witness how people who are often ignored by society are feeling as though they are now valued because of this competition. For many of the partcipants, the competition has become their own community thus they in some way have felt reconcilation with the larger community all becuase of their new found self worth they have.
God transforms people when they reconcile themselves with him, so the the question is this. Are you reconciled with God?
If you are then what about those that aren't? Is there something you can do to start the the process of reconcilation with God?
Phil Shelton
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Journey's Shared
Recently I was priviledged enough to lead a group of 11 youth from the division on a trip to New Zealand. Once we arrived in New Zealand we joined a group from Northern Victoria Division and spent some time touring around the north island. Over the time I had the opportunity to really get to know these awesome young people.
While we were in Auckalnd we were hosted by the Manukau Salvos who kindly fed, cared for and even allowed us to sleep on thier corps floor, couches, chairs etc only asking us to bless them with our leadership/participation in Worship on Sunday morning.
During the first few days we were accompanied by one or two of the youth from Manukau, but on Sunday the Manukau youth group as a whole joined us. what a blessing this turned out to be. after the initial 'get to know you' phase we quickly became a very tight group with people from all groups blending easily. It really wouldn't have been the same if the Manukau crew hadn't joined us!!
During this trip I watched as these young people made new friendships, learnt and experienced new things, and gained new insights. I know that some of them had some awesome God moments while actually at the MakeChange conference, but from talking with many of the young people since getting back, some of the most profound or lifechanging moments they experienced were as part of the large western/northern Vic./Manukau group
I praise God for the work He has done in their lives, and pray that He will continue this work.
I just want to say a huge thanks to all of the group for making the trip so great, and a special thanks to Stu and Nari for the organisation stuff they did to make this trip truly awesome.
While we were in Auckalnd we were hosted by the Manukau Salvos who kindly fed, cared for and even allowed us to sleep on thier corps floor, couches, chairs etc only asking us to bless them with our leadership/participation in Worship on Sunday morning.
During the first few days we were accompanied by one or two of the youth from Manukau, but on Sunday the Manukau youth group as a whole joined us. what a blessing this turned out to be. after the initial 'get to know you' phase we quickly became a very tight group with people from all groups blending easily. It really wouldn't have been the same if the Manukau crew hadn't joined us!!
During this trip I watched as these young people made new friendships, learnt and experienced new things, and gained new insights. I know that some of them had some awesome God moments while actually at the MakeChange conference, but from talking with many of the young people since getting back, some of the most profound or lifechanging moments they experienced were as part of the large western/northern Vic./Manukau group
I praise God for the work He has done in their lives, and pray that He will continue this work.
I just want to say a huge thanks to all of the group for making the trip so great, and a special thanks to Stu and Nari for the organisation stuff they did to make this trip truly awesome.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
