Mo' Kroc

The final word on Eastern Territory Kroc Corps Community Centers will really not be announced for another year. The process is not slow. It's deliberate. Today, the committee met to recommend those locations which will proceed to phase 2 and another round of competitive proposals.

We are learning important realities. Mission is no longer generically understood as helping people, unless there is an intentional leading to Christ. This is good.

We are not so interested in being surrogate servers. We want to do the mission, not hire others to do it for us. This is good.

Mission plans are strengthened by sustainability plans. This is good.

There are plenty of people and groups who will partner with us to fulfill our mission without reservation. This is good.

There's a lot of good with these plans. We're believing for much of God with these plans.

John 15:5 (TEV) "I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me."

Global Unity

I dream of a time when all believers are able to join in their faith and declare the Lordship of Jesus to the world. This is a world that draws together all believers towards resolving the global problems...like war...hunger...health...affordable housing...responsible ecology...where everyone, everywhere is seen as made in the image of God with personal value, appreciation and dignity.

I believe that God is positioning TSA to be intimately involved in the process, calling all Salvationists, adherents, volunteers, board members and donors to join us in this holy pursuit!

Can we, a movement of God, move in this direction?

Exodus 34:10 (NIV)
"Then the LORD said: 'I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you.'"

Joy in The Salvation Army

It takes all kinds to make up The Salvation Army. What kind are you?

I like the happy ones. They are easy to be with and help others towards joy. What kind are you?

Then there are the ones who want to control things. Sometimes they take it too far. What kind are you?

How about the dependent ones? I'm glad they have a place at he Army. What kind are you?

Sometimes we meet the really sad ones. Sensitivity is in order for them. What kind are you?

God's house should be open to all types. What kind are you? I believe you're His kind.

John 3:17 (AMP)
'For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him."

Sunday Meeting

I hope you were able to get to the corps today...you know...your corps...wherever it is. I've discovered there's a rich fellowship awaiting us at TSA, particularly on Sundays. The music is inspiring...great band and songsters this morning...the preaching is stimulating...as usual.

Today we enjoyed a baby dedication...Eliza Madison Pritchard, daughter of Joe and Christine Pritchard, granddaughter of Majors Joe and Cookie Pritchard and Majors Ed and Darlene Russell. She's beautiful and blessed. This singular commitment by her parents draws together the love of Christ in a holy family and in the celebration of the whole congregation.

One day will come when Eliza will need to decide for Jesus herself. In the meantime, she is covered by her parents love and that of a loving Savior who receives her from her parents as they offer her to Him in love.

Matthew 18:3 (NLT)
"Then he said, 'I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.'"

Black Friday

Such a term catches your attention when the news speaks of it every year on the day after Thanksgiving. It is known as such because it is the day on which many businesses finally come out of the red and into the black on their balance sheet. It means, finally, in this year, that particular business finally comes to a profit.

It is quite extraordinary. This is pretty far in the year not to realize a profit. That's why the news agencies monitor the success of the day. It speaks of a strong or weak economy.

The Friday that comes to my mind is more dominated by the color of blood shed for each of us on the cross of Calvary by Jesus, the Son of God. It too is connected to thankfulness and speaks of the day on which we were allowed to live above our sinful lives. Knowing Him brings us finally to life as God intended. Join me in Jesus. We call it Good Friday.

John 3:16 (MSG)
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life."

Happy Thanksgiving!

2 Corinthians 9:15 (TEV) "Let us thank God for his priceless gift!"

Family Holidays

Getting together on holidays is a gift from God. I hope you'll be able to do so. We will. We're expecting eighteen tomorrow and looking forward to seeing each one.

Holidays can be hard, so we need to be ultra sensitive to those who are vulnerable to the pain of loneliness or the absence of a loved one. As we settle at the table to pray, we realize who's missing at the table. This is always a difficult moment. The pain, however, reminds us of how close we still are to those who aren't there. We like knowing we're still close. That's good.

Thank you to those who will include so many others for Thanksgiving meals. Whether it's in your home, at a center, corps or special location, allow the grace of God to fill you with His fullness and satisfy your deepest appetite.

1 Corinthians 11:24 (AMP)
'And when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and said, Take, eat. This is My body, which is broken for you. Do this to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance."

Closing Bell

For the first time in history, TSA was there to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange and I'm happy to report that the market closed up.

Lt. Colonel Nestor Nuesch and company were there for the momentous occasion which was broadcast and recorded for posterity. Don't they all look good?

Do you suppose it is inappropriate to pray for a good market? There is much to gain in the kingdom when the market goes up. Today was a good day.

Ecclesiastes 11:2 (TEV)
"Put your investments in several places - —many places even - —because you never know what kind of bad luck you are going to have in this world."

Project 117

Have you heard of this community? At the interest of God through Commissioner Noland, he asked Majors Larry and Janet Ashcraft to do a new thing. Together, they invented Project 117, a school for youth ministry. They've been in operation, successfully for a few years and have another cast of students that are diligently learning all they can to advance the Kingdom of God.

We met together this morning to look at the Kroc gift and understand its impact on TSA in America, in particular, the USA Eastern Territory. They were interested and engaging. I imagine they'll be a part of these soon to be built centers in one way or another. I even believe this might well be one of the reasons God called 117 into being.

He knows us. He knows what we need. He knows who will need to be here to help.

Job 28:24 (MSG)
"He knows where everything is on earth, he sees everything under heaven."

Harlem Temple Corps

Sometimes I refer to a corps as a five star corps. It is my personal evaluation and grading scale. It means that I highly recommend visiting or attending a corps, so noted. Have you guessed by now I feel this way about Harlem Temple?

Captains Ervin and Anna McKoy and a holy cadre of highly involved local officers make this place a house in which God dwells and delights. We spent the whole day there with these wonderful Salvationists. We felt quite at home.

This afternoon, they celebrated Harvest Sunday with the help of several corps from the Greater New York Division. The fruits and vegetables were in abundance, but the real harvest is found in the joy of the people who were in attendance.

Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV)
7 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Brooklyn

Now this is a great boro. God needs us to work in Brooklyn where the enemy has plenty of opportunity to thwart the gospel. I spent the day with Captains Silvano and Carmen Diaz who are the ARC administrators of this very important institution. We looked everywhere in their operations to see what work they were doing and what work needed to be done.

Officership in the ARC is very rewarding, but very challenging as well. These two do it with incredible, holy integrity and expectation. After we toured their facilities and considered their overall operations, the Captain wanted to assure us that they were seeing God at work in miraculous ways. The lives of many men were being changed to the glory of God.

If you have the opportunity today, call an ARC officer or employee on the phone and affirm their ministry. They are heroes.

Psalms 16:3 (NLT)
Ps 16:3 "The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!"

More Candidates

In the economy of officers, we need more help. Who is God calling today?

In simple arithmetic terms, we need to commission approximately 50 new Captains each year to maintain our force. Who is God calling today?

If we are to win the world for Christ, we need to take the mission to new levels and will need even more officers. Who is God calling today?

Our soldiers, local officers, employees and volunteers need leaders who are fully engaged in officership. Who is God calling today?

God needs us. Who is He calling today?

Mark 16:15 (AMP)
Mk 16:15 "And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]."

Praying

I love to pray. I really enjoy the moments in spiritual formation and prayer in our Cabinet meetings. (The Cabinet is the territorial leadership team including and surrounding the Commissioners.) Major Janet Munn leads this part of the meeting with profound grace. Thank you, Janet.

We were reminded today of the territorial prayer website at: http://www.armyonitsknees.org/

Check it out...and pray.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Investments

Much of what we do in ministry has to do with investing. We're all the time investing in people and their lives in the hope that there will be life improvement. Major Norm Garcia, Spring Valley, NY, spoke on Sunday about the wealthy man who went away and left considerable wealth to three people to handle for him while he was away. He reminded us of the wealthy man's expectations and the relatedness to Christ.

How are your investments coming? Has your personal investment in Bible reading and prayer resulted in improved intimacy with God? Have your attempts at investing in others resulted in their growth? How about reaching the world for Christ? Have you been investing in this area with great results?

It occurs to me that we are more demanding of our corporate money managers than we might be of out corps leaders. If we paralleled these two dynamic enterprises, know that we would relieve a money manager of responsibilities if they didn't produce increased returns. Why would no growth or negative growth (great term) be acceptable?

Matthew 25:21 (TEV)
Mt 25:21 'Well done, you good and faithful servant!' said his master. 'You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!'

Wedding weekend

Two more couples united in marriage this weekend in our neighborhood: Jody Banks and Warren Smith, Jr. were married on Friday night in the Tabernacle at Star Lake. The NYSB played Elsa's on the way in and Kingdom Triumphant on their way out. Dorothy Gates wrote a new piece for the occasion, "Presence"...beautiful...as was the wedding.

Saturday's wedding was between Kathleen Russell and Joel Ashcraft. They were married at the SFOT with all the trimmings. The string and brass ensemble served them well as did the incomparable Karen Krinjak at the keyboard. The reception was emceed by the bride's brother, including some very tender speeches and moments.

So we wish them each long-lasting joy in their marriages and join their families in prayer for them. Is it any wonder that God chose this marriage relationship to depict that of Christ and the church? Perfect together.

Revelation 22:17 (CEV)
Rev 22:17 "The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" Everyone who hears this should say, "Come!" If you are thirsty, come! If you want life-giving water, come and take it. It's free!"

Veterans' Day

I spent two years in the US Army and am a better person for it. I don't think I thought so at the time, but it's true. I sowed some oats and got a few things out of my system in those days in the anonymity of the military.

Today I honor my step father, Roy Grimm who was a First Sergeant in WWII. He was married to my mother for 17 years before his promotion to glory. We miss him. When he asked to marry my mother, he agreed to becoming a Salvationist. He said in his own style, "No problem. I became a Methodist for my first wife."

He was a true soldier. He became the Corps Treasurer at Buffalo Citadel and transferred to Conway, SC when they moved south. He was a terrific Salvationist, often challenging leadership to stand up for the right thing, no matter the cost.

I would have shared a foxhole with Roy Grimm. Now that he's with the Lord, I'll share glory with him down the road.

2 Timothy 2:4 (TEV)
2Ti 2:4 "A soldier on active duty wants to please his commanding officer and so does not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life."

Family

We've taken some time to visit family this week. We need to do it more. We catch up on the whole clan and learn what God is doing in their lives.

One of the greatest gifts God has given to us is a Christian family. The conversation almost always comes to the wonder of God among us. We are most fortunate.

I'll wager you've been thinking our family meant relatives. It does...but it clearly includes friends. In the Kingdom of God we have these family relationships. I really hope to experience these relationships here and now...Why wait for heaven?

"What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it - we're called children of God! That's who we really are." 1 John 3:1 (Msg)

Christmas Shopping

As I calculate it, we have 45 shopping days until Christmas. We spent the entire day (on furlough) doing just that. Carolyn is a world class shopper who knows how to manage discounts, coupons and outlet store shopping to produce market miracles. She has a jump start on our shopping with gifts for eleven of our family and close friends.

I know this can be thought of as an American (capitalist) luxury, but we see it differently. Every one of our gifts is given as an expression of our love and most always is something quite useful, if not needed.

If you're still trying to sort this out for yourself, just know you have 45 days to do so before Christmas. I am glad God didn't hold back on His love for us.

"Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love." 1 Cor 13 (Msg)

Retired Officers

When we met with the Voiseys to go over their retirement certificate ceremony, I mentioned to them that I would be asking them to affirm their officer’s covenant as they move forward into retirement. In preparation and on the occasion, they publicly re-committed themselves to their covenant.

You see, retirement is not a door by which one departs or forfeits their covenant. It is a departure from what is known as active service, although most retired officers are quite actively serving the Lord in the days of retirement.

We had dinner on Sunday with a number of these wonderful people…God’s people…not retired from their covenant or service, but active in every sense of the word. Their love in Christ is carrying them forward on terms that are much more in their control, but no less in the hands of God.

Acts 20:24 (CEV) Ac 20:24 “But I don't care what happens to me, as long as I finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do. And that work is to tell the good news about God's great kindness.”

Ambassadors

Our territory has Ambassadors for Salvation, Holiness, Prayer and Spiritual Formation. Each one of them is a blessing. They are, in order, Lt. Colonels Howard and Pat Burr, Majors David and Jean Antill, and Major Janet Munn - she does the last two on the list. Now these are not given in any special order, but they are very special.

This team orchestrated the plans for the THQ Retreat this week to the glory of God. The whole experience came together for all of us individually and collectively.

If you have the opportunity, take in the ministry of any of them. Annointed by God, they are His chosen children for us for today. Look to them. Trust them. Enjoy their offerings before the Lord. He is leading them.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)
2Co 5:20 "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."

Carol Jaudes

Another stellar opportunity, another stellar performance. God be glorified! Carol and company performed the trilogy of significant Christian women tonight and personified Suzanna Wesley, Fanny Crosby and Evangeline Booth. It is called "The Worlds Greatest Romance." She is amazing. Mrs. Gowans, visibly moved by the performance said, "It was as if these great women of the past were speaking to us today."

Mrs. Gowans is right. God wants to speak to us so much, He will use the present and the past to get through to us. He got through to us tonight. Hallelujah!

Come join our Army. This and more will be your experience. Hallelujah!

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Heb 12:1 "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."

West Point

We took a tour today of the United States Military Academy at West Point. It is the location of the THQ Retreat. The 16,000 acres are amazing and the history is one of the country itself.

I was intrigued to learn that the only cadet to graduate at West Point without any demerits at all was...Robert E. Lee. You know him as the commander of the confederate army in the civil war.

General MacArthur's mother brought him to the Academy to be a cadet, checked into the Thayer Hotel on grounds and lived there for the entire time of his studies to be close to her son. He excelled here in both academics and athletics.

Our cadet school has had stories as well that may never be told, but the best story about our "cadet academy" in TSA is that never did one graduate who didn't love the Lord and have every intention of serving Him for life. That's my story.

"I thank God that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry" 1 Timothy

Gowans

Yes...the one and only General John Gowans and Commissioner Gisele Gowans are on American soil. They're the guests for our THQ Retreat starting tomorrow. We met them at the airport and had dinner together. It's one of the perks of the job.

They remain extraordinary people. I recall every time I've met them. It's always memorable. Their witness is strong, but not patronizing. Their contribution to the Army was, and is courageous, but not reckless. Their remarkably creative spirit permeates everything they do...like at dinner tonight.

I don't remember every meeting with every person. I always will remember the Gowans. Remember them with me in prayer.

"I thank God for every remembrance of you...."