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!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
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
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
Monday, January 11, 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.
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.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
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.
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.
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