Africa

So I've not visited Africa before. From all accounts, this should be a great experience. Lt. Colonels Carlson and I had a moment at the altar this past weekend to ask God for His anointing for our ministry there. We're teaching at the twentieth Brengle Holiness Institute of the East Africa Territory in Nairobi, Kenya.

Today, we depart on the journey and will arrive on Friday for a Saturday start. The sessions go until the following Sunday. Your prayers are needed. We want to be bathed in the Spirit so the message is obvious and we're not distracted by poor health or unfortunate circumstances. Thanks for your help in Christ.

As usually happens when these significant ministry opportunities present themselves, we come away blessed in extraordinary ways. We anticipate this in faithfulness to Him who is always faithful.

Hopefully, I'll be able to introduce some new friends in these days here and convey the working of God among us all as I attempt to do most days.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

Morning After

If you're not interested in the Family Enrichment Conference, that's OK. If you're interested in the presence of God...read on...

It is the morning after and the Glory of God continues to permeate Eastern Territory, USA Salvationists with an eternal reality. The Sunday Commissioning was powerful as was the response at the many mercy seats. The General was affirmed eleven times with applause during his Commissioning message and God, our Father, came with hope, help and healing. Families prayed together. Individuals were saved and many were sanctified. Lifetime commitments were publicly declared. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

So the territory has a glow about it on this morning after. It is the mark of a resurrection experience and the beginning of a new day.

I'm glad I was there.

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
[23] They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
[24] I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him." Lament. 3:22-24 (NIV)

Fullday

It's a new day of the week: Fullday. I can't imagine that anyone at the Family Enrichment Conference was bored today (Saturday). Bible Bowl first thing in the morning. This is a great invention. Ask if you don't know. Then there was the Family Fest (indoor)Parade (Plus!). Well, it was a parade with a great multi-dimensional meeting included. Extraordinary music, dance, drama and more...

In the afternoon there were officer session reunions. Carolyn and I had a blessed time at the "Fearless" reunion - 60 years! ...and then Star Search competition all afternoon...awards in the Hershey Amusement Park with a BBQ picnic supper...topped off with a New York Staff Band Concert which was a standing ovation waiting to happen.

So, Fullday is a day in which everyone has something wonderful to do, God is glorified, and you're tired at the end of the day.

Happy Fullday!...Sunday will be Fullness of blessing day...I'm expecting miracles!

"From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." John 1:16 (NIV)

Rock Concert

Yes, a full fledged, three different group rock concert in an arena, where the kids could stand on the main floor and make their moves and scream. Here, at the Family Enrichment Conference, families could attend together and everyone was happy. The first group was Mending Point, a great band that formed to work the Empire State Division Youth Councils and stayed together for three years, making terrific music, but who finished tonight until who knows when. Good job guys.

Then there was the Latino group called Salvador. The rhythms were hot. The music was loud and the lead singer was as cute as Ricky Martin (I'm told).

The final headline group was Jars of Clay. Between 5,000 and 6,000 people were there, praising God throughout. Many ear drums were challenged, but I believe God was delighted.

The General spoke and was just right. Not too long, but perfect content to whet the appetites of all and glorify God.

I'm glad I was there.

Psalm 95:1-2 (NIV)
"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
[2] Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song."

Commencement

The Preparers of the Way enjoyed their commencement activities last night with the presence of God apparent in all that took place. Of course, the General was there to challenge them to these new beginnings in their lives and how they would best approach this moment as "highly effective" Salvationists. It was a good word for all of us.

Cadet Jennifer Bates and Cadet Bethannie Dolder were recognized as salutatorians with an equal 3.93 GPA. Amazing. They both spoke with individual eloquence and sincerity. Cadet Tawny Cowen-Zanders is the valedictorian with an impressive 3.99 GPA. Makes you wonder which class wasn't an "A"? Spoke too. Remember, she just gave birth to a baby girl last Saturday. Her message was also thoughtful and penetrating, giving thanks to God for the unsung heroes in our lives.

What will today bring? I'm beginning to feel like a reporter, but that is my intention throughout our Family Enrichment Conference.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:15 (NIV)

White House

On Tuesday, our General made a visit to the first family on his way to our Family Enrichment Conference. His stop at the White House was significant in many ways. President Bush had just made known the day before of his intentions to meet with Tony Blair and discuss the many issues of Africa. The news revealed that Blair intended to ask the USA to support economic development initiatives in Africa. The press also reported that the President was interested most in programs for the undernourished and AIDS victims in Africa to the tune of $650 million or so.

Enter the General of The Salvation Army. I understand they spoke of faith based initiatives, the gratitude of TSA for the US support through SAWSO for AIDS and other work in Africa in the neighborhood of $16 million, and they spoke of faith in God.

Perfect opportunity. Perfect timing. Perfect representative. Each, the evidence of our Lord leading our General in God's perfect way. The outcomes of the meeting are unknown at this point in time, but this much is for sure. Following God will lead us to moments of perfect possibilities and extraordinary results. We need not expect any less.

"It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect." Psalm 18:32 (NIV)

Alive!

This is a great time to be alive. I understand when I hear people say they would have enjoyed living in a little slower age...when you could take time to talk with friends over iced tea..or casually stroll down the streets of town to catch your breath from a hectic life.

The exercise is surreal. These are the days we are given to enjoy and be productive...and I dare say we can find the time to do what we want. I continue to discover that being alive in Christ is the first step in really knowing what our life is designed to be. I would be happy to help you with this possibility in your life, should you be interested.

We have today...no more...no less. Do it today! Live with fulness and joy. This is God's design. Let's wake up and go for it.

Ephes. 2:4-6 (MsgB)
"Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, [5] he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! [6] Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah."

Family Enrichment Conference

Although it sounds formal, the conference will be an open experience. It will be open to over 6,000 delegates. It will be open to fun and SA fellowship in full. It will be open to seeing good friends and sharing our lives. It will be open to Bible Bowl and Star Search excitement. It will be open for public concerts by Mending Point, Jars of Clay and the New York Staff Band. It will be open for prayer gatherings, family workshops, tailgating parties, the commissioning of the cadets, and the Hershey Amusement Park will be open. Even the General will be there and will be open about his hopes for us in Christ.

Let us, therefore be open to the Spirit of God, to what He says and how he leads. Let this openness be for each one of us and for the territory. Let us look to this as a defining moment in our individual and family journey. Open eyes, minds, hearts, wills, and hopes. I am believing for an outpouring of God upon us. Those who are open will be filled.

"By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us - —set us right with him, make us fit for him - —we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. [2] And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand - —out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise." Romans 5:1-2 (MsgB)

Covenant

The sacredness of this word impresses me. Last night at the School for Officer Training, Almost the entire session of cadets, the "Preparers of the Way" came to the altar of God and made covenant with Him. This is a "high holy" moment in our movement. The Territorial Commander gave a passionate message pertinent to the moment and to the future of these students of the gospel. Sacred music filled the room, and the altar was filled time and again with covenant. This is an essential step on their way to being commissioned as officers in The Salvation Army.

We must pray for them in their journey. They have been trained by the best we have and are ready to take their place on the field. Hallelujah!

Don't be worried that not all made covenant with the Lord. There was this one, who for having her second child Saturday, was still in the hospital. Her covenant service will take place as a special moment prior to her commissioning. She is Cadet Tawny Cowen-Zanders and the baby girl is Zoe. I understand both are doing fine and that Tawny will be in Hershey. Good thing. She's also the session's representative speaker. Should be a good one.

Leviticus 26:12 (NIV)
"I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people."

Brengle

It hasn't been part of any public notice, but in two weeks, I'll be in Nairobi, Kenya, conducting the East Africa Brengle Holiness Institute. Lt. Colonels Bill and Marcella Carlson will be coming as well and will share in the teaching and modeling of holiness to the delegates. I'm grateful they're going. They have much to offer and are a joy to be with.

In preparation today, I read R. David Rightmire's book Sanctified Sanity - The Life and Teaching of Samuel Logan Brengle. This is truly an inspired work, bringing together the person and the preachment of this great holiness theologian. Get it and read it. He draws the Brengle legacy together in a convincing and comprehensive way. Thanks, Dave.

According to the book, Brengle wrote, "...it is this Holiness...we Salvationists must maintain, else we shall betray our trust, we shall lose our birthright; we shall cease to be a spiritual power in the earth..."

He's right.

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

Work

I love the work. I love my work. I love to work. I love to work with my wife. I love to work with the people in my office. I love to work at THQ. I love to work on the road. As a matter of fact, on that basis, work is no longer officially a four-letter word. I make no apologies for such comments. It is amazing to me that I get all of this pleasure and every two weeks, there's a token of compensation directly deposited in our checking account.

Addicted to work? Perhaps I am in some ways. I'm addicted to the joy of seeing lives changed in the love of Christ. I'm addicted to strengthening the hearts of co-laborers who are weary in well doing. I'm addicted to God's love applied in many aspects in my work as an 'Army' officer. I'm speaking of my life's work and the understanding that my work brings me life. I'm grateful that it is so fulfilling that the two concepts are so blended.

"But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." 2 Tim. 4:5 (NIV)

Jonathan Bassett PTG

I would like to have written the letters PHD or MVP or just anything, but Promoted to Glory. There is good news in the letters. While his 35 year old body malfunctioned and took his life, he was promoted to heaven in the presence of the Lord, Himself.

In our gratitude to God for Jon's life and the assurance of his eternal reward, we are challenged to reconcile his departure.

God be with you, each of the Bassett family.

We love you and hope for healing in your hearts.

"Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me." Psalm 23:4 (NIV)