R. William Hunter

Can friends be heroes? Why not? Bill Hunter would fit that category quite well.

On this day, four short years ago, Bill was promoted to glory. He entered his promised rest in the presence of Jesus. I can imagine the great day on which Bill saw Jesus face to face. Bill knew Him intimately, had trusted his life to His love, and served Him with everything he had. Bill's still smiling that great smile of his.

I don't think I've ever met such an imaginative person as Bill Hunter. He had ideas on his mind that were beyond most of us, but always on track. I suppose he had to use a fair amount of discipline to know when to hold back his ideas for a better time when they'd be understood. The ideas he came out with were cutting edge. He was able to sense the direction of society and planned to be there when the rest of us caught up.

I'm not gifted enough to capture the essence of Lt. Colonel R. William Hunter in the space here. Sometimes, like today, I simply thank God for him. On another day I'll thank Jesus face to face for Bill as well. I'm hoping his wife Barbara and adult children Randy and Jen sense our combined love for Bill. He will always be my friend and a hero.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. " Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Internet Evangelism Day

"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'" Mark 16:15 (NIV)

Internet Evangelism Day (IED), scheduled for April 24, 2005, is designed to help churches, ministries and individuals discover the potential of the Internet for sharing the Gospel. The Internet Evangelism Coalition (IEC) is endorsing the day and many IEC members are helping facilitate the development of IED resources. Dr. Sterling Huston, IEC Chair and Director of Special Ministries for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, believes the Internet "offers churches, Christian organizations and individuals an amazing and rapidly expanding opportunity to share the 'Good News' with a world in need." He added that it's his hope that "Internet Evangelism Day will inspire more Christians to utilize the Internet to extend and enlarge their witness for Christ."

With your interest in the net and connections with corps and other churches, consider this "open-air" or "open-net" opportunity.

Indonesia Earthquake Disaster

Straight from IHQ...

"The latest news received from The Salvation Army in Gunung Sitoli, the main city on Nias Island, Indonesia, is that at least 80 per cent of the town and many other buildings around Nias Island have been destroyed. Commissioners Watilete (leaders of The Salvation Army's work in Indonesia), Major Nico Sumampouw (Divisional Commander, North Sumatra) and Captain Dina Ismael are flying from Medan in North Sumatra to Gunung Sitoli."

"The Salvation Army's Compassion in Action team has reported from Mandrehe, North Nias, that the two-storey house being used as a health post and quarters (accommodation upstairs and clinic downstairs) has collapsed, with the loss of all medicines and equipment. The doctor, nurses and all other team members are safe."

Our presence in Indonesia has existed for many years and Tsunami relief teams are still working there around the clock. The Salvation Army in the USA has received and sent over $15 million for the Tsunami relief.

Now this disaster will take additional attention and need new funds to do what needs to be done. There is no question about feeding sites and counseling centers for those affected. Helping in God's name comes naturally for Salvationists.

If you can send funds, do so through your local Salvation Army or at the international website. http://www1.salvationarmy.org/

What you can do is pray. You know God will hear you and our prayers make a difference. Honor Him in this way and see what He will do.


"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

Easter People

"You don't have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live." John 11:25 (MsgB)

"We are an Easter people!" The first I remember hearing this phrase was from the mouth of Major Clyde McEwen. He was one of the good ones. I don't know if I've ever met a person so genuinely happy as Major McEwen. He has always been one of my heroes...God has given us many.

He was speaking to Salvationists and he meant it for Salvationists and while I'm thinking of him today, the occasion of his pronouncement wasn't Easter. He believed it for everyday. I'm sure that accounted for his disposition. He "got it".

Let the Salvationists of the Easter...n Territory USA celebrate. We are an Easter People!

Great Friday

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (NIV)

I woke up today praising God and thanking Jesus for dying on the cross for me, and everyone else too. I've always remembered Good Friday in a warm way. It has been a sacred day and we always find ourselves worshipping God remembering His love expressed at Calvary. In the meetings there was beautiful music, contemplative preaching and gratitude to Jesus. I actually do recall it as a good day ... Good Friday. In early modern English, good had a meaning of "holy".

Today I'm thinking of it as Great Friday. No less holy, but great love from a great Lord, demonstrated in a great way.

You'll only understand if you have a relationship with God through Jesus. Everyday becomes great.

Maunday Thursday

This is a wonderful week in the calendar of the church. Today, we celebrate Maunday Thursday. According to the Holmans Bible Dictionary, "Christians began to regard Thursday of Holy Week as a special time for participating in the Lord’s Supper. The day came to be called 'Maundy Thursday,' a reference to Christ’s giving a “new commandment” (John 13:34) to His disciples. The word “maundy” comes from the Latin word for “commandment.” Usually the early Maundy Thursday observances included a ceremonial foot-washing, in imitation of Christ’s washing the feet of the disciples (John 13:5-11). "

John 13:34 (NIV)
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

This is essential in our understanding of the provision and expectation of Christ. He went to the cross with this on His mind. It's a good plan for the day before His crucifixion, four days before His resurrection, and forever...

How are we doing this?

Triumphal Witness

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
[40] "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Luke 19:39-40 (NIV)

Hartford, CT Citadel Corps...It has it all...timbrels, brass band, signing group and a singing group, praise and worship band...the works. Today, on Palm Sunday, nine Senior Soldiers were enrolled and five adherents inducted into corps membership to the glory of God. (I'll post a picture or two when they come.) Captains Celestin and Stephanie Nkounkou faithfully lead the troops with great local officers in ways that must bring delight to God, Himself. Divisional Leaders, Majors Bill and Lorraine Bamford were there to lend support. They are tremendous role models and encouragers.

You should have heard the testimonies of the new soldiers...saved and ready for service.

The scripture above is from the passage where Jesus comes into Jerusalem, and the crowds acknowledge his Lordship with praise. This happened at Hartford Citadel today as it did in many corps throughout the territory.

The witness of the Holy Spirit was strong...the rocks can rest there...the Salvationists are declaring the love of God in Christ Jesus, loudly and clearly.

Give the rocks the rest they need. Talk it up! Live it up! Let your world know of the all surpassing love of God.

Manhattan ARC Family 

Holiness is for Everyone

"As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. [15] But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; [16] for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:14-16 (NIV)

So Carolyn and I were invited to a holiness retreat for the beneficiaries of the Manhattan ARC. It was to be held at Camp Connri. God led us to prepare just as Majors Paul and Debbie Cranford asked us to do. This was to be about holiness...not purely an "Introduction to God 101" course.

The Cranfords and their team readied all of us in prayerful expectations and we gave it our best. (It is usually obvious when someone has been praying.) Didn't God open their hearts and annoint each to their point of receptivity? The Lord is amazing and blazing in holiness. He is worthy of our total devotion.

I don't have a "before" shot, but here is the "after" photograph.
If you look closely, you'll see the work of the Holy Spirit.

Dancing the Divine

"In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents."
Luke 15:10 (NLT)

Let's have a party!
Let's dance!

So the heavenlies are moving to the music of repentant souls. All throughout the Eastern Territory, Cadets' Campaigns are ministering with this very result. Last night in Pittsburgh, PA, Cadet Stephanie Childs gave her first public message and God did the rest. The response at the mercy seats and holiness table was wonderful and music to the ears of the heavenly hosts.

When I got back to the hotel room, I danced a bit myself. This type of activity has not always been on the "approved" list of salvationist activity. It's a new day and the only possible sin involved relates to my dance moves.

Of course the christian life is to be one of abunDANCE...feet don't fail me now...

Heroes

"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. [2] The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd."
Hebrews 11:1-2 (MsgB)

Hebrews 11 presents a listing of faith heroes that encourage us. I have a set of heroes that have influenced me. The first list I reference is admitedly all male. For starters, here they are:

• Commissioner Bram Tripp
  
• General Bram Tillsley
  
• Lt. Colonel William Harvey
• Lt. Colonel Doug Lowman
• Colonel Wallace Conrath
• Commissioner Joe Noland

They're all marked by integrity, holiness and leadership.

Who has constructively influenced you and how? Take a moment, reflect and share...

Beginnings

Every day is filled with the potential of hope. From the beginning of the day, we can open our minds and lives with the promising hope in the presence of God. He desires a relationship with us to allow us the joy of dream realization and confident expectation based upon His love and provision. The Bible is replete with examples of His grace and interest in us. Here's one for today:

"I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13