Self Control

I'm sitting here this morning eating a small bowl of fruit. I want and need to lose some weight, so I am planning to eat well. I did the same yesterday, a breakfast of melon. I had lunch with our Community Care folk (those who visit area nursing homes on a weekly basis) who, following my beef lunch (with vegetables), had a lovely cake in honor of my wife and me. At night I had to cook for my boys as my wife and daughter had a Corps (Church) event so I grilled chicken and made some peas, corn and instant potatos...and then doused the chicken with barbecue sauce. Then for supper I ate some chips and cheese and quite a few liquorish all-sorts. It's the oddest of things...I completely forgot that I was trying to eat well! Is my desire to eat greater than my desire to be healthy? Do I lack that all important spiritual gift of self-control? Am I trying to make myself feel better by gouging?

At the end of the day, I think my problem comes down to bad habits. It is a habit that I need to break by simply eating well over a long period, until eating well becomes my habit.

Dictionary.com defines a habit as, "an acquired behavior pattern followed until it has become almost involuntary". A good for instance might be brushing my teeth. My habit tells me to brush them before I go to bed. My habit means that I naturally put the toothpaste on the brush, that I run the water and that I scrub my teeth. My habit also allows a natural pattern of brushing. Habits are a wonderful tool, and a great gift...unless they are bad habits.

Proverbs 25:28 says, "Like a City whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control" (NIV)

The Spiritual gift of self-control, therefore, seems to be an all or nothing. Either I have it or I don't, and if I don't I am opening myself up to all kinds of invasion by Satan and his lies. Therefore, I must spend more time in God's word, I must spend more time in prayer, and I must be very deliberate in every area of my life so that I build the wall of protection around me and not allow anything in that will damage me either physically or spiritually.

I.m back

Apparently it's been several weeks since my last post...and it's been several weeks of changes in the Harris household. First, my computer went down. I tried to watch a sporting event on my computer, but I think I compromised it's safety so the hard drive had to be completely wiped. I was without a computer for three weeks.

Then, about 10 days ago, my wife and I received a phone call telling us that we are being reassigned from Fredericksburg to Hickory North Carolina. Our farewell is June 20TH after which we will hit the road and arrive at our new appointment. This reality has given us a number of emotions and feelings, not least a mourning for the people of Fredericksburg that we have grown to love.

Yesterday (May 9TH) was the Fredericksburg Salvation Army's music Sunday. I was so proud of the children who performed, many of whom I have watched grow over the past 5 - 6 years. It was watching my children perform, these kids in whom I have invested so much of myself, that made me see God's handiwork in all of this. We know the folk who will follow us in Fredericksburg, and they will love these children. We will miss them terribly but we know they are in good hands. I also know that, in Hickory NC, there are children who need to be loved by my wife and me. We are following some excellent Officers who must be going through the same emotions that we are...and it continues at many Salvation Army's around the world, but every change bring about new possibilities.

I am reminded of the old Salvation Army song:

I'm in His hands, I'm in His hands;
Whate're the future holds, I'm in His hands.
The days I cannot see, have all been planned for me;
His way is best, you see; I'm in His hands.

One of the most important things about the song is the comma after "His way is best" because it changes the whole song from being about resigning to the fact that I'm in His hands to a bold statement of faith. I can therefore say with great confidence that, regardless of what I want, I'm in His hands.

Goodbye Mum

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

There are two days each year that I simply don't like. One is typically in early spring and the other in the autumn. Each years these particular days get just a little harder causing me to become just a little more reflective. It happens that yesterday was one of those days and this morning, while I tap on the computer, I am being reflective.

When we reflect on our lives and look at our own characters, we see the effect that so many people have had on our lives. My Father had a strong work ethic, so I understand the need to work hard. A mentor of mine, Bryn Sutton, knew how important people are, so I try to show genuine interest in people. But, of all the people to influence me, my Mum (Mom in the USA) sits above them all. She taught me right from wrong, she taught me integrity and, above all, she demonstrates the love of Christ every day of her life.

My Mum visits us twice a year, and my children get very excited about her visits. She stays for 3 - 4 weeks during which time our home is kept nice and clean. She allows time for Christi and me to have a date or even an overnight stay somewhere, and she usually makes her trip coincide with Officers Councils, a 4 -5 day conference during which time we are out of town.

Next time I see my Mum she will be 73 years old. She is a healthy septuagenarian, but with each passing year we wonder how much longer she will be able to keep this up. Her independence is remarkable (my Father passed away 18 months ago, following 11 years in a Nursing Home) and her sense of duty and giving are an inspiration to me.

Suffice to say, yesterday I took her to the airport. We sat in the airport for about 2 hours, just talking about out family and about faith...and then she had to go. My next stop was for Band Practice so, on the way to my rehearsal, I stopped off a a Chinese restaurant. I was rather melancholy so, as I sat down, I pulled out my blackberry and opened up a Bible application and started to read God's word. Although reading scripture should be quite natural for me, I felt my Mum would approve of me reflecting in such a manner. It was then that I thought of the scripture verse at the top of this blog. Mum has always been avid in her daily devotions and, although I don't hold a candle to her discipline, my need to be in the word comes from her example.

Parents, realize that you are the greatest influence on your children. If you have a short fuse they will probably inherit a short fuse, if you are loving they will probably be loving, and if you take God seriously then they will probably take God seriously. Even if your children wander, your example will never leave them. So before you do anything else today, take time to thank God for your parents.

Fun Fun Fun

This past weekend I was privileged to attend The Salvation Army's annual Youth conference known as Youth Councils. It is a weekend specifically geared to teenagers, and one I love to attend every year. I love to see the teenagers interact, to see them make commitments to Christ and, quite simply, to watch them leave their cares behind and have a thoroughly good time.



The Fredericksburg Corps was well represented on Saturday night as one of our group prayed, Maria & Luis Salazar gave their testimony - and they were tremendous - and our delegation performed a skit. I was very proud of our teenagers who were very well behaved and adopted a positive attitude.



Often I come back from a Youth Councils with some specific moment(s) that stays with me. There were several this weekend but, perhaps the one that stands above the rest was a young girl from Winchester, VA. who performed a mime. She was a pretty, slender teenager and showed great emotion as she performed a mime that was perfectly synchronized to the music. She was smooth in her movements and graceful throughout. At the end of her performance she was greeted with a standing ovation like I have never seen before. You see, this girl is deaf. She performed a mime to music that she has never heard! I'm not sure how she did it, but I marvelled at her performance, as did a room of hundreds of teenagers. Teenagers with a myriad of backgrounds, issues that most of us can never relate to. Many are hardened by life even at this young age yet, as the performance finished, they all erupted with the most incredible silent ovation. As every person stood to their feet, holding their hands aloft and shaking them...sign language for clapping...I was moved. I was moved to see ALL of these teenagers so willing to support this young lady, to show her appreciation, to show her...love. As they raised the house lights she was able to really see the applause for herself, and her pretty face produced a beautiful smile and I knew that a life long memory had just occurred...for me. Thank you Jesus for that moment.

Best laid plans...

For the past two years, sports megastar David Beckham has worked to resurrect his International soccer career in the hope of making one last trip to a World Cup. He has suffered the scorn of LA Galaxy fans as they try to understand why he is playing in Milan rather than starting the MLS season with them while TV pundits question his commitment to the team. The England Coach told him that he needs to play more in order to be considered for the World Cup squad...so play he did, only to suffer a serious injury that puts him out of action for 6 months thereby missing the World Cup. Simply put, he dedicated the past two years of his life to the dream of one more World Cup, but now its all gone.

In many ways, I have dedicated the past year of my life to something very specific, the decision of which is out of my hands. I have upset a few folk (this thing involves change, and people don't like change) and I have run myself to near exhaustion on a couple of occasions. I feel that everything will work out but, what if it doesn't? Boy that will be hard to accept, that will be hard to swallow. The work is mine, but the decision is elsewhere so how will I feel about those who make the decision? How will I face those who had helped me through this process knowing that I have failed?

These thoughts had been going through my mind, and I was sharing my concerns with a friend and mentor. This man has been as much a support to me in this process as anybody and by rights should be the first in line to tell me that I have failed. But as after I shared my thoughts, he reminded me of something very important. "If God wants us to succeed we will, but if He doesn't then we won't." This is so important for me to remember. I have great hope that things will succeed but, if they don't, the decision will have been right.

I don't know about David Beckham's religious views but I don't see much evidence of any. He seems to be a very reasonable fellow, but that reason will only take him so far in trying to understand WHY! I would imagine that he is going through some form of torment as the reality of his injury sinks in, and the consequence of missing the World Cup is realized. If only he would join the handful of folk who read this column an take the words from 1 Peter 5:7

"Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."

This is the belief of the Christian and it holds me in good stead at times of disappointment. How I wish so many more would accept who Christ really is and experience that lack of anxiety during the most difficult of times.

A Good Day

Yesterday was our Corps Cadet Sunday. A Corps Cadet is a young person training to be a Salvation Army soldier, and the meeting was prepared under the very able leadership of two mature and experienced ladies. I must admit, however, that I'm a little nervous when the young folk lead because I've had some pretty bad experiences on such Sunday's. Teenagers who are prone to giggle through the reading of scripture, kid's who don't know how to lead a song and ill prepared Sermons. Indeed, I remember working with one young man on his sermon but, when he came to preach it, he decided to talk about something else and gave three minutes of preaching and about 5 more of waffling around the same point. I had to get up and rescue him as he looked at me despairingly not knowing what else to say.

Yesterday, however, I witnessed something quite different. I saw young people confidently lead songs, read scripture, and take up the offering. In addition to this, I heard a sermon that was prepared, rehearsed and clearly delivered from a young man who has just turned 17 years old. I came away from the meeting on a high, excited at what the future holds for the Fredericksburg Corps. In addition to all of this, I was privileged to enroll a lovely young boy as a Junior Soldier...that is always thrill for me.

We must invest in our future, and I know that I need to trust our Young People more. At 17 I was already a leader in my home Corps (Church) in Coventry, England and I made a lot of mistakes. But I realize how important that experience was to me and my future as a Salvationist, and I feel that somebody empowering me at a young age was crucial to my calling. With all of these things in mind I will work at letting our Young people grow by allowing them to make mistakes knowing that these mistakes are preparing them for their calling.

And they call it 'Kitty' Love

This morning I had the opportunity to take a senior member of my congregation home following knee surgery and a period of recuperation in a nursing home. She had been away for about 20 days and was very ready to get back home. She was looking forward to her normal surroundings, being back with her neighbors and friends and, perhaps most importantly, her cat.

When we got to her home she almost jumped out of her wheelchair as she looked for her cat which, in her absence, had left something of a mess...but that didn't matter at all. Suddenly this lady started to talk in a kind of baby talk as she rejoiced over seeing her cat. It was like a mother talking to her newborn baby, and a little too over the top for me.

I guess the need to have something or somebody to love is in all of us. For me, it's my wife and children. My children bring reactions out of me that nobody else can, and my love for my wife causes me to say the silliest things sometimes, things that I would never allow other people to hear. For the outside world, I must be seen as this Englishman that has it all together with a keen, if corny, sense of humor. For those I hold closest there is a love that feels so natural that I forget about myself and what they might think of me, and replace it with raw love. Watching this dear lady and her cat is another example of raw love. It didn't matter whether I was there or not, she was going to love that cat.

We have now entered the Lenten Season, leading up to history's greatest example of raw love. On that first Good Friday, Christ didn't care about what people thought of Him. Christ wasn't thinking he looked foolish, despite the crown of thorns, the sign above His head and people mockingly asking "...Why don't you save yourself?" His language was love, and He was going to speak it regardless.

As I reflect on my Christ, the sacrificial Lamb, and think about my lady and her cat I wonder if, in some small way, I heard the language of Christ today. When I am silly with my wife, just enjoying her company, is it the language of Christ? When I just love my children, perhaps one of those times when you just look into their eyes and get lost for a moment, is that the language of Christ? Pure, natural, spontaneous love...oh that we might all speak the language of Christ.

I need my coffee!

One of the problems of being a preacher is that you have to follow your own words. It would be terrible for me to preach on the evils of alcohol, and then buy a six pack of bud light on my way home. On Sunday, I challenged my congregation to give up three things for Lent. The first is a food or beverage that they know is harmful to their body, the second is a food or beverage that is their favorite and the third is a habit that they know is bad for them either spiritually or physically. In my sermon I told everybody that their choices were to be between them and God, but I did reveal that my choice of "favorite" is coffee...and I am already regretting that. I have thought about going home and brewing a pot, or getting out of my uniform and into my jeans and donning a false nose and moustache and doing a Starbucks run. I have thought about justifying my drinking a cup for medicinal purposes...but I can't think of a good medicinal purpose so all I can say is, roll on Easter.

In the meantime I will be thinking about coffee and, while I do, I will be praying. The idea is that, when we think about the things we've given up, we should pray, and our primary prayer is that of our dependence on God. As we wean ourselves off the things we think we need, we are encouraged to search God, whom we truly need. We should offer a simple prayer, a prayer prayed by former New York Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson at a fellowship of Christian Athletes event which says simply this. "Dear God, Your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen."

Over the next few weeks my weight may come down a little, my breath will not constantly smell like French roast and I will become a little more disciplined. But my ultimate hope, both for me and my congregation, is that I will become more dependent upon God and that His will is done in my life.

A frosty Olympics

Most mornings, since the fabulous opening ceremonies in Vancouver, I have checked the Olympic medal table to see how my fellow Brits are doing. Britain doesn't have a great tradition in the winter Olympics, though we have had glimpses of glory. A bobsleigh gold in the 1950's...Men's figure skating champion in both 1976 and 1980 and at the last Olympics we won the gold medal for the women's curling. But most famously, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean gave the greatest ice dance performance in history in 1984, securing perfect marks for artistic impression, a feat that will never be equalled as the system of scoring has now changed.

I was telling my American wife about this incredible couple, and even pulled up video on Youtube which she watched with vague interest. They were marvellous, they were wonderful, but then I realized that it was also 26 years ago, and I was still having to revel in their glory. You see Britain is sitting equal 26Th in the medal count, a position we share with about 40 countries who have won...no medals at all!!!

At times I find myself living in the former glories of The Salvation Army. The stories of the match factories, the age of consent in the UK and the closing of Devils Island. There was a day when a group like the Army could really make its mark in the Western world, but in reality that day is gone. Not because The Army is not working, but because society is different and The Army less controversial. This does not mean, however, that significant societal changes are not happening elsewhere.

I received a bulletin this week, taking about The Salvation Army's work in Papua New Guinea and titles, "Swapping Bullets For Bibles." It talked about 26 year tribal battles that have taken the lives of hundreds of men, and has caused desperate mothers to smother their male children at birth to reduce future fighting forces. In the midst of these tribal wars, Captain Michael Hermuno has been working with 15 tribes sharing the gospel message. For many years he had been offering them a solution to hate, a solution to the conflict and finally, in October 2009 he was at the center of a celebration that was the fruit of his labor, and the answer to he most earnest prayer...a formalized peace treaty. A number of Salvation Army Officers attended this amazing event where, as a symbol of the change, the tribesmen handed over their guns in exchange for a Bible. The guns, bows & arrows and other weapons were collected and then burned in font of 2,000 people, most of whom had no memory of peace. Major James Cocker of The Salvation Army said, "It's amazing that this remote place has no government involvement, no police and no services, but The Salvation Army is there."

So, a war that had started about the time Torvill and Dean gave Britain it's greatest Winter Olympic memory was finally over, and the winner was Jesus. What a reminder that God is still at work, and He is still giving us victories. As for me, that displaced Brit begging for some glory...roll on women's curling.

All Over The World

This weekend I was introduced to a thing called Skype. For those who don't know, Skype allows you to get on the computer and, with the use of a web cam, talk face to face with anybody around the world. For a foreigner like me, this might prove to be a very exciting new part of my life as I keep up with my family and friends in England.

My Sister and Brother-in-law have recently adopted a little boy named Robert. I have been very keen to see this little boy, my new nephew, so this technology is going to allow me to do something I thought I would never be able to do...watch my nephew and, hopefully my other niece and nephew, grow up. At the same time, it allows my sisters to watch my children develop and grow and it gives the cousins a chance to interact. To me, that is a very exciting prospect.

When I left England in 1991, I left parents who were middle aged and sisters who were in their early twenties thinking they would be around forever. When my Dad passed away in September, 2008 and I saw my sisters and my niece and nephew for the first time in three years I realized that I was in danger of really missing out. We get together as relative strangers once every few years and, by the time we've caught up with one another, its time to leave. Now, thanks to Skype, I feel we can truly keep up with one another and watch each others children grow...what a blessing.

On an unrelated note, Annie (the subject of my last post) was promoted to glory yesterday. She passed away at about 12:15PM on Valentines Day and now is at peace. Out prayers go out to her family who will miss this dear lady, and to our congregation which will feel her loss greatly. As my 5 year old son Christian remarked, Miss Annie has a new body now.

Another Saint, ready to go home.

I have spent much of the past two days visiting and thinking about a little old lady called Annie. At 90 years old, Annie spent many of her formative years during the great depression, and her young adult years while the world was at war. She mothered several children despite difficult circumstances, raising them in a loving and Christian environment.

I have known Annie for almost 6 years, a small part of her life, yet in those 6 years I have observed so much in her that is both desirable and admirable. Annie is a very quiet lady, sitting in her regular Church seat on the back row. She had been struggling with cancer for years, yet she never seemed to complain despite what must have been tremendous pain and discomfort.

Despite her attending The Salvation Army for many years, I was the Officer privileged to enroll her as a Soldier (member) of The Salvation Army. When I asked her if she would be interested, she said "What can you do with an 85 year old soldier?" My response was, just be you. By being Annie, she was able to touch many people. Her gentle spirit and her absolute drive and resolve never went unnoticed. I remember the day that I took Annie and fellow Soldier Mildred out to lunch. She looked at me and said, "We are so excited to have you all to ourselves." Even the Captain needs to feel special once in a while, and Annie and Mildred made me feel special that day. Then, just two days ago, as I sat by her hospital bed she looked right through me and said, "Thank you for coming, you don't know how much that means to me..." yet, as I looked into her eyes I thought, perhaps I do. Again, she made me feel special.

My guess is that Annie made a lot of people feel special. I could go on about my encounters with her and still miss many but I will not, except to mention one other thing that makes her stand out...her quiet yet determined spirit. Quite frankly, a lesser woman would have succumbed to this terrible disease before now, but her determination to keep going was truly amazing to watch. It was a selfless determination, perhaps a brute stubbornness to keep going, but it is a journey that surely is soon to end. Don't worry about Annie, her place in heaven is secure. She has been a good and faithful servant, and I will always thank God for placing Annie in my life...as the lady who made me feel special.

Let it snow...

Never in my life have I experienced the kind of weather that has come our way this winter. I thought the storm of December 19th was big, but the blizzard of this past weekend was as amazing as anything I have ever seen before. Stuck at home...yet again! No Church...yet again! And then there is the promise of up to 12 more inches today and tomorrow, will it ever end?!? To add irony to this most fascinating winter, I heard that Vancouver - host of the 2010 Winter Olympics - has had its warmest winter in decades, causing the usually perfect winter sports location to be in a panic over the upcoming spectacular.

Back to Fredericksburg. By the end of this week, my children will have been at school for one short day in two weeks. When I broke the news of yet another storm front coming through, they jumped with joy at the prospect of more days off school, more snow to play in, and more family time.

You know, these days are frustrating in their own way. Two weeks away from Church is very frustrating to me, a closed Thrift Store is very frustrating (and a little worrying) to me, and my children missing two weeks of education is frustrating to me yet, during this frigid period, we have created life long memories. The memory of walking to Denny's in the middle of a whiteout, the memory of making their first snow igloo, the memory of days in, doing things together. Perhaps God realized what I needed the most, some real time with my wife and children so we could play, cuddle and create memories.

Snow and Earthquakes

In scripture, David stands out as one of the true great men. He was the man after God's own heart, the defeater of Goliath and Israels greatest King. Yet, this man went through a period in his life where he wandered from God, slept with a married woman, got her pregnant and had her husband killed. One day, the Prophet Nathan challenged David on this point and David, realizing his sinfulness, wrote Psalm 51 - a most amazing Psalm. In verse 7 of that Psalm, David recognizes the power of God's forgiveness as he wrote, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." (Psalm 51:7 MKJ)

On Sunday morning I looked out of the front window of my home to see a world that was the purest white. Every house, every tree every, every inch of ground was a beautiful white. By Sunday morning the snow had stopped and the sun shone down creating a picture perfect image. By 2PM I had dug out our driveway and prepared for a trip to Maryland for a National Capital Band event. By this time our neighborhood had been ploughed, a number of cars had driven on the road turning the snow to different shades of dirty. Over the next few days, or by the end of this cold snap, the snow will continue to disappear, the piles of snow will turn black and the world will start to look like itself again.

In many ways, this image represents the way God works in our lives. The world is less than perfect but, if we ask for forgiveness like David did in Psalm 51, God will wash me, cleanse me and I will be whiter than snow but...unless I continue to ask for forgiveness for my sins, my old self will start to re-emerge and the cleansing is lost.

The change in landscape in Haiti could not be a greater contrast to what I just described. In this instance the devastation is a horrible reminder of the consequence of the fall of man. It would take a Bible study to explain how the great flood plays into what has happened in Haiti, but this devastation is a reminder that we are but frail people living in a frail world. Sadly earthquakes, hurricanes, famines are called "acts of God" yet the reality could not be further from the truth. I don't for one minute believe that this earthquake was in any way an act of God, but I do believe the acts of God are now going on. The acts of God are seen in the Methodist Church that is raising money for relief. The acts of God are seen in operation blessing at they work to help the victims of this horrible disaster. The acts of God are seen in The Salvation Army workers who are trying to feed 1,000,000 victims EVERY DAY!!! Please believe that God is in Haiti and that, through the work of the faith based groups, not only will people be physically nourished but they will be Spiritually nourished. Make that your prayer for Haiti, a country where Voodoo is rampant, that God is honored and that lives are saved in His name.

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

This is the first verse of a hymn I have sung numerous times, not often reflecting on the significance of the words. Likewise, I have both heard and preached sermons based on Salvation and change while never fully appreciating how marvellous change can be. Don't get me wrong, I can certainly pinpoint the moment of change in my life, but my change was, shall we say, less dramatic than many. I will not say it was less important because that simply is not the case, but it was less dramatic.

A great case in point is Maria and Luis Salazar, a young couple who are fully immersed in the ministry of the Fredericksburg, Corps yet a couple who have both experienced and accepted change in their lives. I will not try to retell their story here as I could not begin to do it justice except to say that a life of violence, drugs, alcohol and sex was amazingly and dramatically changed into one of grace and hope. Their life, a one way street to self destruction, was suddenly and dramatically redirected to one of possibilities, hope and salvation...and they have made it their life's mission to help redirect the lives of people today, and they did it yesterday.

At the Fredericksburg Salvation Army Corps they told their dramatic story, in the hope that some of those listening might be able to relate. Perhaps the teenagers will see some of the warning signs, perhaps the parents will sit up and listen, perhaps they can help change a life. Unknown to them, a certain woman came to that meeting. A woman whose family attends The Salvation Army and a woman who, in my 5 1/2 years as Corps Officer, has never attended a worship service. Why yesterday? Well, her history involves abuse, drugs, alcohol... and I believe she saw no hope for herself - until yesterday. She heard a story from a bright good looking couple, a story of sin and despair not too dissimilar to her own in so many ways, and in them she saw hope for herself. In them she saw possibilities of what she might be and, I believe, she surrendered herself to God and opened her life to change. Praise be to God.

I have ceased from my wandering and going astray,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins, which were many, are all washed away,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

Best Compliment Ever!

Today was a wonderful day for me. I was able to have two visits from people that attend our Corps. The first was with a 10AM coffee visit that ended up lasting till 3:50PM. It was so refreshing to hang out and enjoy some one on one time with a young mother. At 4PM I had my second visit planned. This was with a mother from the Corps that in the past year has made the decision to become part of our Corps, rather than worship at her family church, to be with her three children that have been with us the last four years. She was coming over for a spot of tea, and to my delight she brought over her new boyfriend. (I have been wanting to meet him - just to check him out) When they got here she teased him about being nervous to meet me. As they were heading over to my house, the woman's 9 year old daughter knowing how nervous he was, looked up at the very tall man and inadvertently gave me one of the best compliments ever. She said to this man, "Don't worry she's just like us, she just don't cuss!"

I went through the thoughts of how cute, how sweet, how clever...but then I thought about it. That truly was a fantastic compliment. It brought to mind the scripture where "I'm to be in the world but not of the world." Being a Christian is an awesome responsibility.

When I hear comments like, "how can they say they are a Christian when they do this or they do that". I have to stop and ask myself, do I ever cause someone to question my Christianity?
I know that I have my moments and I pray that my actions never cause anyone to stumble. I pray that when others see me they can say, "She is just like us, she just loves God!" It's the best compliment ever.

Haiti

This letter came across my e-mail today and I think it is the best blog I can offer. Continue to pray for this country which has issues at the best of times.

Words cannot begin to describe the devastation that has taken place in Port au Prince, Haiti.
I am the Director of Disaster Services for The Salvation Army in Haiti, and I am from the United States. My wife and I have been in PAP since April, and have fallen deeply in love with the country and it's people.
When the earthquake struck, I was driving down the mountain from Petionville. Our truck was being tossed to and fro like a toy, and when it stopped, I looked out the windows to see buildings "pancaking" down, like I have never witnessed before. Traffic, of course, came to a stand-still, while thousands of people poured out into the streets, crying, carrying bloody bodies, looking for anyone who could help them. We piled as many bodies into the back of our truck, and took them down the hill with us, hoping to find medical attention. All of them were older, scared, bleeding, and terrified. It took about 2 hours to go less than 1 mile. Traffic was horrible, devastation was everywhere, and suffering humanity was front and center.
When we could drive no further, we left the truck parked on the side of the street, and walked the remaining 2 miles to get back to the Army compound. What I found was very sad! All of the security walls were down. The Children's Home itself seems pretty intact, but our quarters, which is attached, are destroyed. Unlivable. The walls and ceiling are still standing - but so badly compromised that I wouldn't even think of trying to stay there. All of the children, and hundreds of neighbors, are sleeping in our playground area tonight. Occasionally, there is another tremor - another reminder that we are not yet finished with this calamity. And when it comes, all of the people cry out and the children are terrified.
As I am sitting outside now, with most people trying to get a little sleep, I can hear the moans and cry’s of the neighbors. One of our staff went to a home in the neighborhood, to try to be of assistance to the woman who lived there. But she was too late.
The scene will be repeated over and over again. Tomorrow, we will begin the process of assessing damage, learning about casualties, and preparing for the future.

God bless Haiti. Robert Poff, January 13, 2010

The Devils backyard.

I have just returned from a tiring and very rewarding weekend in New Orleans. Our hotel sat on the corner of Orleans St. and Bourbon St in the midst of the famous French Quarter. It was my first time in New Orleans, and I was quite taken with the unique architecture and the liveliness of the City. We arrived late on Wednesday night, and it wasn't until Friday that I ventured onto Bourbon Street - and what an experience that was. Music was blasting from every open door on the street with the sounds of jazz at every turn. It seems that trumpet players and string bass players are two-a-penny in this musical mayhem where every store front was either a bar, a voodoo shop or a strip joint. People walked the street stoned, drunk and giddy on stupidity while both men and women threw beads in the hope that the recipient might be crass enough to reveal what should be kept private. When I got back to the hotel, I felt like I needed a shower...and I knew I had just walked through the Devils backyard.

On Saturday evening the Southern Territorial Band, Songsters and Performing Arts Ensemble sat in a bar on Bourbon St. The doors of the bar were opened and we began a concert of praise and hope right there in the midst of the famed French Quarter. The band played jazz and swing, all with a message of hope and Salvation while the Songsters (choir) regaled the listeners with spiritual songs. The performing arts stood in the middle of Bourbon Street and, to the blast of "I am not a stereotype" danced one of the most excellent high energy routines I have seen.

One moment of spontaneity will remain with me for ever. Throughout the concert, we were competing with a jazz club opposite. As the songsters prepared to sing, the band in the jazz club began to play "I'll fly away." Suddenly the Songsters joined them, adding the lyrics to this Hymn and then I noticed many of the Southern Territorial Band piling into the jazz club. My curious self joined them. Two of our bandsmen had taken their cornets (Brass band trumpets) and were jamming with the jazz band. After this impromptu performance had finished, the leader of the jazz band said, "who are you guys in the red jackets?" after which the jazz band took a break and everybody from the bar came out to listen to The Salvation Army.

Following the 2 hour long concert, Captain Ken Chapman grabbed the Salvation Army flag and, followed by a number of Salvationists, marched up and down Bourbon Street playing music in honor of our Savior Jesus Christ. That night Jesus Christ came into the backyard of the Devil and victories were won - praise God.

New Year

On New Years Eve The Salvation Army, Fredericksburg, VA had its annual Gospel Sing as we saw in the New Year. We had musical guests "3 for the ONE" and "Justified" who did some wonderful marathon spells, singing from 8PM to midnight. The congregation of about 55 included some first time visitors to The Salvation Army, and many of them took the time to ask more about The Salvation Army some admitting that they were unaware of our evangelical roots.

I love these conversations because they always allows me to talk about the holistic approach of The Salvation Army to both believers and non-believers. It also allows me to talk about the most important part of my ministry. Indeed, my calling as a Salvation Army Officer is based on verses from 1 Peter 4:1-2, 11a

"1Christ suffered here on earth. Now you must be ready to suffer as he did, because suffering shows that you have stopped sinning. 2It means you have turned from your own desires and want to obey God for the rest of your life...11If you have the gift of speaking, preach God's message."(CEV)

My sermon is the most important part of my week. I am not suggesting I am a great preacher -though I'd like to think that I am an obedient one - but I am saying that my preparation for Sunday, and my 20 minutes (though some think it longer) in the pulpit is the most important part of my work as a Salvation Army Officer. This sermon writing process keeps me focused and grounded and keeps Christ at the forefront of everything I do. Indeed, I once made a promise to promote God wherever I had the opportunity to stand before a crowd - something I've done pretty well at, though some opportunities have been missed.

I think the ministry of my wife and I will see a dramatic change this year. I believe we will have a new building to worship in, I am excited by the strong Corps (Church) leaders we now have at The Salvation Army in Fredericksburg, I am excited by the staff I work with because I truly believe that God has brought us together...and 2010 is a year that our Corps will explode with ministry.

Very often we approach a New Year in the hope that we can become better people than we were the previous year. My prayer is that 2010 is a year that we are obedient to God, and that we can build upon the successes of 2009.