Revive (April 2013)

VOL 5 NO 2

APRIL-JUNE 2013

QUALITIES OF FRIENDSHIP ON THE STREETS

BRINGING hope in brazil

WORDS OF LIFE

a very special

relationship Commissioners Gisèle Gowans and Freda Larsson talk to Revive

E Q U I P P I N G

W O M E N

F O R

M I N I S T R Y

+

M I S S I O N

review

Just a Moment, Lord

Revised and expanded edition

by Flora Larsson

Reunited!

by Dr Peter Willmott ‘On 18 October 2006, I stepped off the train in Springwood, New South Wales, to a long-dreamed-of meeting with a father I hadn’t seen for almost 60 years.’ This is Dr Peter Willmott’s basis for writing the book, Reunited!

It is made up of only four chapters, but within 170 pages is a comprehensive account of the beginnings of The Salvation Army Family Tracing Service, and the author’s personal experience of being reunited with his father and wider family through The Salvation Army.

The third chapter includes many true stories of life-changing situations and cases handled in love and compassion by The Salvation Army – and speaks of the valuable lessons learnt, of broken lives mended, and the years of searching rewarded through this ministry.

The final chapter is a complete guide on ‘Doing it on your own’.

There’s practical advice, websites and knowledge of all that you need in your search for a loved one.

We have come a long way from the publication by William Booth of his great work of social reform, In Darkest England and the Way Out, but many of his basic principles are still employed in the ministry of the Family Tracing Service today. The writer has captured this in a very readable and informative book.

Lieut-Colonel Wendy Leavey MEDICAL SECRETARY FOR PERSONNEL, IHQ

www.amazon.com Also available as ebooks at the above address

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The new edition of Flora Larsson’s classic volume, Just a Moment, Lord, is a wonderful, easy-to-read book of prayer poems. The book, first published in 1973, is as accessible and appealing as when it first appeared. The poems are psalmlike: intimate, relevant and deeply revealing of the spiritual life of this remarkable woman. Flora Larsson’s open and honest conversations with the Lord give voice to the concerns which Christians everywhere experience.

A variety of prayer poems are included in the eight sections of the book. There are prayers of praise for who God is and for what he has done. There are prayers asking honest questions of God and sharing those areas of struggle which Flora Larsson encountered in her walk with God and in her own character.

Her candour is refreshing as she asks God to help bring about change, not only in a situation but in herself as well.

Flora Larsson enjoys addressing issues with a keen wit and sense of humour. Her profound sense of the grace of God allows her to personify ‘sin’ and character flaws in poems such as ‘Big Me’, ‘Great-aunt Maria’, ‘Touchy’ or ‘Saint in Embryo’ among others. Laughing with the poet at common human tendencies helps readers to identify their own failures and to bring them before God for correction, not in a spirit of fear but in a spirit of anticipation and joy.

Just a Moment, Lord is a great resource for devotional use. It is inspirational, uplifting, challenging and a powerful encouragement.

Captain Elizabeth Nelson INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS OFFICER, IHQ

www.amazon.com Also available as ebooks at the above address

inside

feature

22 05 22

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FEATURES 05 Message from

Commissioner Silvia Cox WORLD PRESIDENT OF WOMEN’S MINISTRIES 09 A very special relationship

APRIL-MARCH 2013

revive@salvationarmy.org

11 That’s what friends are for BIBLE STUDY 19 Words of life 20 Hope on the streets

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15

IN EVERY ISSUE 02 Book Reviews 04

Editorial

10 Set free MY STORY 18 The Prayer House 23 Resources/iQuote

COLUMNS 10 Walk worthy in friendship LEADERSHIP 17 Friendship is companionship SPIRITUAL LIFE

Front Cover: Photo of Commissioners Freda Larsson and Gisèle Gowans by Berni Georges Back Cover: Proverbs 18:24 in Japanese and English, illustration by Berni Georges All Bible quotations throughout this edition of Revive are from the New International Version 2011 unless stated otherwise TM - The Message, GW - God’s Word, NASB - New American Standard Bible, NKJV - New King James Version, KJV - King James Version, GNB - Good News Bible, NLT - New Living Translation, NIV 1984 - New International Version 1984, SASB - The Song Book of The Salvation Army

A resource magazine for women in ministry and mission Publisher: Commissioner Silvia Cox, World President of Women’s Ministries Editor-in-Chief, IHQ: Major Sandra Welch Designer: Berni Georges © Linda Bond, General of The Salvation Army, 2013 Founders of The Salvation Army: William and Catherine Booth Printed in the UK by Lamport Gilbert Printers Ltd

Contact email address: revive@salvationarmy.org

The Salvation Army International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EH United Kingdom

Articles on any subject of interest to women in ministry are welcomed by the editor. To send an article, write to revive@salvationarmy.org Subscription details at: http://sar.my/revsubu (Revive subscription UK) http://sar.my/revsubo (Revive subscription overseas)

Revive 3

editorial

the mark of a

true friendship Major Sandra Welch EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

W

hat is a friend? It’s difficult to quantify precisely what makes a good friend. Research into the benefits of friendship confirms that the better quality relationships we have, the happier we are likely to be. Consequently it’s advantageous to be a friend to someone and to have a network of friends supporting us.

The only way to make good friends is to invest time in building meaningful relationships in the same way that Jesus did during his time on earth. Friends may come and go in our lives, but more important than how long friendships last is that good friends will accept us unconditionally. The mark of a true friend is often seen in actions which show they really care.

This issue of Revive deals with the theme of friendship and relationships. Our cover highlights the feature article which is a fascinating interview with Commissioner Freda Larsson and Commissioner Gisèle Gowans on the value of friendship.

Commissioner Larsson quotes a Swedish proverb which says, ‘Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief’ – which is true of our relationships with both God and people.

We extend a warm welcome to Commissioner Silvia Cox, the new World President of Women’s Ministries, and pray that God will bless and guide her as she takes up this key position.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Lieut-Colonel Simone Robertson for her enthusiastic and ebullient editorship of Revive during the past year. We wish her God’s blessing as she continues to serve God back home in Australia.

Finally, as I once read, ‘A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.’

‘The mark of a true friend is often seen in actions which show they really care’ 4 Revive

World President’s

message

message

Commissioner Silvia Cox What a privilege it is to greet you all.

During our officership my husband and I have experienced many new beginnings and each time we have been aware of a sense of renewed hope, of new resolutions and new challenges. However, previous experiences have also taught me that each change of appointment is accompanied by a certain sense of vulnerability. A whole range of things need to be learned, and even the seemingly simplest of tasks – new to us – need to be explained. I am forever grateful to those people who take the trouble to acquaint us with the information we require which also helps us to settle down and feel at home.

I have found, especially in the early days of an appointment and often when I least expect it, something happens – it can be a minor incident – which suddenly becomes a source of frustration and as such can fill me with despair.

Having arrived at one of our appointments, I discovered we had cockroaches and fleas in the house. I was ready to pack my bags straight away and go home! Thankfully the problem was solved and never happened again.

In Finland, I remember initially having a problem unlocking doors as the key system was different to anything I had known before. I was very frustrated with my inability but gradually I adjusted and mastered the art of door-opening!

Soon after moving into our new quarters in South Africa, the geyser burst and at four o’clock in the morning a wall of water was pouring through our bedroom ceiling. I recall thinking, ‘This is enough!’

However, after that initial disaster there were no more significant household problems and I grew to love our house and garden.

Our installation as territorial leaders for the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland was included in the ‘I’ll Fight!’ Congress held at the Royal Albert Hall, London, and I arrived without a voice! I was mortified. I must admit I asked the Lord why it happened on that day of all days. The meetings were being recorded for the entire world to see and hear!

And so here I am today with yet another new beginning, this time at International Headquarters. I follow in the able footsteps of Commissioner Sue Swanson and I thank her for all she has done during her tenure and also for the preparation she has made for me as I assume the role and responsibilities of the World President of Women’s Ministries.

Although that sense of vulnerability which I have mentioned is with me, I know I can trust in the One who holds me in the hollow of his hand and knows all that the future has in store. Through the enabling presence of the Holy Spirit we find peace and strength for all the new challenges which will be ours.

With this comforting thought in mind, I really look forward to hearing from you and when possible meeting with you.

As women of God – daughters, wives, mothers, aunts and friends – we have our place in this one Army which has one message and one mission. My hope is that we will unite together as a force of change for better – in the world and in the communities where God has placed us.

With my affectionate greetings,

Silvia Cox

Commisioner Silvia Cox

WORLD PRESIDENT OF WOMEN’S MINISTRIES International Headquarters

Revive 5

feature

Commissioners Gisèle Gowans and Freda Larsson talk to Revive Commissioners Gisèle Gowans and Freda Larsson (two former World Presidents of Women’s Ministries) tell Revive how they developed a very special relationship when their husbands teamed up to write Salvation Army musicals in the 1960s, and how their friendship has stood the test of time.

How long have you been friends and how did the friendship begin?

Gisèle Gowans: We have known each other for over 40 years – it’s 46, to be precise! – starting with our husbands working together on the SA musicals.

Freda Larsson: John and Gisèle Gowans quickly became friends with John Larsson in 1967 after ‘the two Johns’ had been thrown together when asked to write a musical for Youth Year in the British Territory. It was during the following year that this first musical, Take-over Bid, brought John and me together, and when we subsequently married in 1969 I quickly became part of a quartet of friends. This friendship has deepened and enriched my life during the many years that have followed.

6 Revive

What things do you have in common, and is it helpful for friends to have things in common?

Freda: Naturally, the musicals were originally part of our common interest but Gisèle and I soon discovered that our heritage as the daughters of officers was another link, combined with our own calling. In addition there were our interests of reading, crafts, homemaking and each being the parents of two boys – though Gisèle was several years ahead of me in that aspect.

Gisèle: Of course, we have the same love for the Lord who has called us to become officers in The Salvation Army. It is very bonding to realise that you share many similar feelings concerning your work, your faith, your hopes for the future in that respect.

Sometimes you have been thousands of miles from each other. How has this affected your friendship?

Gisèle: We have always maintained contact because of our husbands’ creative work. Even when we worked on different continents we kept in touch and sometimes were able to visit.

Freda: We have rarely lived anywhere near each other but would

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‘For a friendship to be positive and helpful there needs to be mutual trust, availability and, above all, confidentiality’ keep in touch regularly – and of course we met occasionally, particularly when a new musical was being written. On the rare occasions the men managed to get together to work on a new script Gisèle and I would have a golden opportunity to simply enjoy chatting together and sharing ideas. However, when it came to the house parties at Sunbury Court, where many of the musicals were produced, we would be together for about 10 days and Gisèle and I would be involved in costume-making, preparing props and attending rehearsals because we were often taking part as cast members.

What are the key elements in a positive helpful friendship?

Freda: For a friendship to be positive and helpful there needs to be mutual trust, availability – even if only via a telephone call – and, above all, confidentiality.

Gisèle: Yes, trust, confidentiality, availability – and I would say empathy, sharing.

Have you had any differences of opinion, if so how did they affect your friendship?

Freda: Being good friends – and working together as has happened in our case – does not mean that we always agree on every topic.

However, our mutual respect allows us to share with each other with honesty, understanding and acceptance without any strain on our friendship.

Gisèle: I suppose we have always been able to differ in some conversations without falling out. Amicability is so important.

Why do you think friendships are important for women?

Gisèle:. They are important because you can be sure your friends will give you a listening ear when you are emotional about something, and this helps you to keep things in perspective. Also you can be a bit silly with another woman friend, going back to your ‘little girl dreams’!

Freda: Women like to share their thoughts, feelings and anxieties and seem to naturally turn to one another for support. We learn from each other, too, and it is good to have a trusted friend with whom you can share at a deep level. Men sometimes joke about our need to talk things through, but I really believe this is very important as a safety valve to prevent us becoming introverted and overburdened – and it’s a rich blessing that men miss out on.

Tell us about some fun times you’ve had together.

Gisèle: Fun times, as you call them, often came when attending the summer house parties at Sunbury Court with the candidates and SA youth, taking part in the musicals, helping to make costumes and props. Also, we tried to visit each other’s home when we were in the UK. Freda and I shared recipes and we all tried to relax for a few hours.

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‘we have always been able to differ in some conversations without falling out’ Freda: We have shared many laughs – particularly as a foursome – but I would describe our social occasions more as enjoyable, relaxing and stimulating.

What has strengthened your friendship?

Freda: We have many shared experiences and our paths of service have led us along similar lines as we have criss-crossed the globe in our appointments. We have each been through personal times of stress and anxiety, and it is a great comfort and strength to have a good friend to share thoughts and feelings with at such times; also to be able to give and accept practical support as needed.

Gisèle: For me, it is certainly in the past few years that Freda’s friendship has helped me to endure my sadness during my husband’s illness. She has been there for me in a practical way and as a silent witness to my sorrow.

Where is God in your friendship? Do you pray together?

Gisèle: We have prayed together often, but more specifically in recent months.

Freda: God has been at the centre of everything we have been engaged in and this is an important aspect of our friendship. We have prayed together many times, about matters related to our work or our families or other special needs that we have been aware of.

Why is it good for Christians to have non-Christian friends?

Gisèle: This became a reality to me when I was at college and nursing school, then when working in a large hospital in Paris. I had many friends who belonged to the Catholic Church, but as we say in French, ‘non pratiquant’ (not devout Catholics). So I always tried to share my faith. I remember three friends attending the meeting at Paris Central Corps when I became a senior 8 Revive

soldier. They had never seen me with my Army bonnet on! When I became an officer I found that it was not so easy to become a friend of a non-believer.

Freda: In principle it is very good for Christians to have nonChristian friends. A regret I have is that I have not had opportunity to make more friends. As a child I moved frequently with my officer-parents and although I did make friends at school as well as at The Salvation Army, these did not become lifelong close friends. As an officer and leader I have made some good friends but these would mainly be in connection with my work and not necessarily on a deep personal level.

I am very blessed in having a sister who is also my very close friend, and we are thrilled to live near to one another now for the first time in many years as our officer service has kept us thousands of miles apart. In retirement, when I have used the opportunity to take up some exercise classes, I have developed quite an interesting circle of friends whom I meet regularly and have occasional times out with. I have found this to be enriching and a great opportunity to share my faith.

Do friendships change during the different stages in life? If so, how?

Gisèle: Of course friendships change through circumstances.

Especially when you move so often as officers or officers’children.

I do envy those who have been able to keep in touch with their school chums. I had two special friends at the International Training College. Sadly both of them died when still young.

Freda: Just as one’s interests change during the different stages of life, so do friendships. Needs and interests change and it is natural to seek for a relationship on a different level. Even long-term childhood friends can find they are beginning to drift in different directions and have less and less in common, though it may not be obvious at first. Of course, for many, friends who have known

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each other from childhood grow and develop together – and that kind of lasting relationship is to be treasured and enjoyed.

How would you describe your friendship?

Freda: Our friendship has been built on shared interests and enhanced because we have frequently enjoyed visiting each other – even if it has meant travelling to another country to do so. Now we live in the same neighbourhood and so our contact is more frequent and becomes more important as the years go by. We are even soldiers at the same corps for the first time ever and so this provides opportunity for even closer fellowship.

Gisèle: Expressed in a few words: trusting, not exclusive, generous and faithful.

Is there a best way to build a friendship?

Gisèle: Often you have to take the initiative in building a relationship. You must not become possessive or be asking too much. You have to be available when needed. Show discretion.

Freda: As mentioned previously, a good friendship is built on trust and as a relationship develops there is more understanding of one another as thoughts and feelings are shared on a deeper level.

In what ways is your relationship with God like your friendship with each other?

Freda: There are many similarities because in my relationship with God physical geography is not the criteria for availability, chat, opportunity to share concerns or questions, and of course many highlights of times spent together that are very important and long remembered. Any relationship is built on two-way trust and honesty, and my relationship with God is built on promises received from him through his Word – but also through the promises I have made to him at various times as my spiritual life has developed.

My relationship with God is different from human friendship in that he knows more about me than anyone else – however close that friendship may be – and the wonder of it all is the knowledge that he loves me just the same.

Gisèle: I must confess I find this question a bit strange. How can you compare your friendship with the Heavenly Father to human friendship? Quite a subject which I will not attempt to explain here!

What else would you like to share about your friendship or friendships in general?

Gisèle: Friendship is a precious thing. It is not needed by everyone. You can be good friends with many people in a superficial way. We often describe someone by saying: ‘Oh she or he is so friendly.’ We call those people good-humoured and affable, sociable. But there is another dimension to friendship which is based often on a special blending of taste, preferences, manners, education, intelligence and willingness to be generous with one’s time.

Freda: There is a Swedish proverb which says, ‘Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief.’ I have proved this to be true over and over again and am so grateful for the friends, including Gisèle, who have enriched my life through the years.

Revive 9

leadership

wa

lk

wo

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‘T

he problem with you is you’re just too friendly with people!’ I knew it was meant as a criticism but somewhere deep inside I felt it to be a bit of a compliment. Especially as I had spent both time and effort (and numerous coffees!) with the said young woman when she was going through relational difficulties. What had changed? Was I being ‘too friendly’ with others, or ‘not friendly enough’ with her?

Striking a healthy balance between being officer/colleague or pastor/friend can be a problem for me as a leader. The relational side of ministry has always been a deep joy, but it can prove to be draining and difficult rather than a two-way, life-giving friendship.

Along with this comes the historical adage of ‘friendly with all and familiar with none’. I suppose there was a time when that was more the case than it is today since, as officers in the UK, we often stay longer in appointments and gain a deeper awareness of the need for total church ministry one to another.

I am fortunate to be married to my best friend as well as having a number of soulmates dating back from school days and pre-officership days. I’ve also made beautiful friends throughout my years of ministry. I count it a true blessing that many of these friendships are typified by the fact that we ‘pick up from where we left off’ whenever and wherever we meet.

It’s important that we have deep and meaningful friendships.

I am often able to work out my feelings and my emotions and solutions when I talk them through with friends – and I sense I am not the only one.

‘The relational side of ministry has always been a deep joy, but it can prove to be draining and difficult’ 10 Revive

hy

in friendSHIP

These relationships need and deserve time and attention, to allow us an opportunity to flourish and to be encouraged – as well as to encourage. I know of a number of small groups where friends are proactive about meeting with like-minded leaders in order to build each other up and to ‘sharpen iron with iron’. What a great idea for everyone involved!

To walk worthy in friendships is about mirroring the way in which Jesus walked with his friends. Often surrounded by masses of people, he had a close network of trusted friends with whom he was himself, was honest and never compromised. (I am sure there were also many moments of fun and laughter which, sadly, are not recorded in Scripture but I don’t doubt were part of his attraction to many people.)

In your role as a leader (and perhaps in whatever is your current ministry) there are people whom you barely know who nevertheless think of you as a friend. Our ministry will be best blessed when that continues to be the case because of our demeanour, our acceptance of them and our attitude towards them. This will be helped by a base of friends whom we know are praying for us as we work out our personal call to walk worthy.

Jesus said, ‘You are my friends if you do what I command . . . love each other’ (John 15:14, 17). May God bless our continued friendship with him and each other!

Columnist for 2013 Major Val Mylechreest Adult and Family Ministries Officer Evangelism Department, United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland.

bible study Major Grace Payton

iI

believe in the Word of God. It is the breath of God! It’s on this basis that I share with you the words of Jude, ‘a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James’ (v 1 NLT). So let’s read through the Letter of Jude, written to Jewish Christians and all believers everywhere. It takes up only one page in my Bible. It is a quick read, just 24 verses!

The letter says so much to us about our personal spiritual journey and our commission to communicate Christ unashamedly and courageously in a world that seems to be stricken with a virus – a world in need of the Great Physician!

Friendship is fellowship

Jude begins: ‘I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who

loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ’ (v 1 NLT). That’s all of us – loved by God and kept by Jesus.

We are on the same page! Not separated by neighbourhood, town or country, by education or by church. We are all one.

This letter is addressed to us all.

A friend shares in our beliefs. How wonderful to have our lives and our minstry enriched with Spirit-guided friendships and relationships! This also means that we have to ‘reach out and touch’. Scripture says that when we live in the light, we have fellowship with each other (1 John 1:7). The fellowship we have with the Lord spills over into Spiritfilled friendships and relationships. It is the will of God. The opening verses continue: ‘May you receive more and more of God’s mercy and love’ (v 2 Worship Study Bible); ‘Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance’ (NIV 1984) ; ‘Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you’ (Wesley Bible). Quite an introduction!

This prayer and blessing on our behalf is followed closely by a mandate, an assignment, a commission. ‘I have to write insisting – begging! – that you fight with everything you have in you for this faith entrusted to us as a gift to guard and cherish’ (v 3 TM). In this spiritual crusade it is so helpful to have someone ‘standing alongside’.

That’s what friends are for!

That’s what friends are for

Revive 11

bible study A friend gives support and motivation

‘He does not want us to go out alone, he sends us out together‘

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The situation at the time Jude wrote his epistle was one that can be compared with today. The truth of God was under attack and it was necessary to fight for the faith! Jude’s concern is expressed in his salutation: ‘I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation that we all share.

But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvellous grace allows us to live immoral lives’ (vv 3, 4 NLT) And that is where we come in. That is where we report for duty. We need to be ‘in shape’ spiritually. We need to be accountable to someone – again, that’s what friends are for!

There is a wonderful freedom in the message of our Lord, and when God is ‘at work’ in us our walk is vibrant and exciting and new every morning.

I love the verses in Ephesians 3:17-21 which give Paul’s prayer for our spiritual empowering: ‘I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power . . . to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love . . . that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory . . . for ever and ever!’

Those two little words in verse 20 – ‘at work’ – mean something is happening all the time. There’s no room for atrophy of the soul or a ‘know it all’ attitude. We should be expressing the freedom of the message of Jesus in our lifestyle and our friendships and relationships.

Tradition is comfortable, very meaningful and special. Tradition should never be abandoned, but with God ‘at work’ – when our Lord is in control – it offers so many wonderful additions and refinements. ‘At work’ means there’s growth, new discoveries, new attitudes, new friends, new relationships. We find opportunities for sharing together and have an awareness of ‘God surprises’ every day.

Exciting! Experience it!

We can’t go into battle alone

Today we have the challenge as Christians to speak up and speak out – to courageously defend our faith and to share our faith.

A Christian life is a lifestyle. It’s a project that involves commitment, seeking, research and discovery. To have the right kinds of friendships and relationships makes such a difference! We need a listener, a helper, an encourager, a giver.

Yes, that’s what friends are for! And, by the way, we need to be all that for someone else.

I am often blessed by the writings of Henri Nouwen (born, incidentally, in my mother’s homeland – The Netherlands).

In his book With Burning Hearts he writes (referring to Jesus): ‘He does not want us to go out alone, he

bible study

Again, we are given direction in Scripture: ‘Preach the Word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching’ (2 Timothy 4:2 NLT).

What kind of a friend am I?

‘We need ... a listener, a helper, an encourager, a giver’

sends us out together, two by two, never by ourselves. And so we can witness as people who belong to a body of faith. We are sent out to teach, to heal, to inspire, and to offer hope to the world – not as an exercise of our unique skill but as an expression of our faith that all we have to give comes from him who brought us together.’

Do we welcome into our lives the kind of friends and relationships that will enhance and enrich our ability to share the gospel?

Be alert, be ready!

In the heart of Jude’s letter (verses 4-19) we are warned that if we are not careful and alert, not seeking God and growing in faith daily, we can be caught up with false teaching. We have to be aware of spiritual ‘junk food’. Such food is easily accessible,

requires little preparation, has no real nutritional value … but sometimes it tastes good. So, take care!

Regrettably, instead of the Church invading the world it seems like the world is invading the Church! Our heads, hearts and lips, our friends and relationships all have to be in tune with the Word – the breath of God. We have to be ‘in shape’.

We should not be ashamed to state our case. Jesus said we are light in the world – and we need to fan into flame the gift of God. This passage describes falsehood and immorality, but it also records God’s mighty acts of rescue and punishment, and warnings from the apostles. It’s a hard message, but if we distort Scripture, we play with fire. We can’t excuse, tolerate or promote sin!

I am the pianist in our corps, and sometimes the organist. Now organs can be a bit touchy. One Sunday I set up the organ for the sounds that I wanted and something foreign came out – a sound that did not belong there! It was causing a discord with everything that I played. The offertory was being taken, and my music was pathetic!

So embarrassing! What was that overtone?

What had happened inside this box called an organ?

At the end of the meeting, when people were out of the hall, I turned all the sounds off one by one. There was one key that also controlled the ‘off’ sound, but when I turned it I still heard that overtone. You can’t make a melody with a ‘gremlin’ in there!

Why am I telling you this? Sometimes, in our relationships we are the person who causes the off-tune overtone. We have negative attitudes, are guilty of gossiping in a hurtful way, or perhaps display jealousy. Any of that can certainly ruin our friendships, and our effectiveness in sharing the Word and the Lord.

The organ technician said, ‘Tell your organist not to put the “Jingle Bell” stop down.’ The jingle bell sound was a short in the organ; it was not obvious, but it was expressing itself. So, in our relationships let’s beware of any sneaky gremlin overtones!

It is also important to recognise variety, and the fact that we can make a difference with someone and that our relationships can make a difference in us.

What a conglomeration of people we are! We look different, we act and react differently, we come in all kinds of sizes and shapes and have different likes and dislikes. The Lord put us here to get along as ‘sisters in the Lord’. That could be a lot to expect! But many of us have discovered that life isn’t simple and unchallenging.

We know that relationships take work Revive 13

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and commitment, requiring harmony and compromise and sacrifice. Relationships are a work in progress.

A friend is unselfish

Our Christian walk is enriched when we reach out and touch others. The Church is a fellowship, not an inner circle or a private club. Read Colossians 3:12-15. What more can I say?

I am sure that our Lord wants us to develop friendships and relationships that are more than just ‘casual acquaintances’.

That involves what Jesus said to Zacchaeus: ‘Today is my day to be a guest in your home’ (Luke 19:5 TM). And Jesus gave himself to many others throughout his earthly ministry.

As Henri Nouwen wrote: ‘Our life can be filled with good advice, helpful ideas, wonderful perspectives, but they simply leave us uncommitted’ (With Burning Hearts).

I love the prayer of Jabez found in 1 Chronicles 4:10 – ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory.’ Moving outside our comfort zone opens up so many opportunities for outreach. We will have ‘God surprises’ every day!

Spirit-guided relationships enhance our worship

Read again verse 20: ‘. . . dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love.’ This verse brings us to the matter of having a sense of worship. Have we lost that?

Jude’s letter begins with concerns about people in a Christian community who were oblivious to a dangerous and destructive influence. It could be suggested they were suffering from a spiritual attention deficit disorder! Then the letter brings us back into focus – back to the blue sky and the sunlight.

Worship is not a time frame in our week or day. It need not be liturgy and form but can be free and natural, expressed in every facet of our lives, including our friendships and relationships.

Worship is multifaceted, like a diamond or any other precious gem. It is a connection; it is a lifestyle; it is motivated by love (not just a matter of being on our ‘watch’) and it is thanksgiving. It is delight, not duty!

Further, an act of worship is an expression of our own relationship with our Heavenly Father. We should be

practising the presence of God daily (that’s why I referred to ‘God surprises’ earlier).

If Christ comes to rule our hearts, it will be because we take him everywhere!

Worship is what prepares us for work, for contending for the faith, for expressing the transforming message of Jesus, for communicating Christ unashamedly.

And in all this, how wonderful it is to have the company of Spirit-guided friendships and relationships. It is the will of God: ‘Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. . . if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us’ (1 John 4:11, 12).

‘Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another’ (Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT).

‘And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering’ (Jude 23 NLT).

The Word affirms it over and again – the importance of developing meaningful friendships and relationships.

And finally, what a benediction!

‘Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen’ (vv 24, 25 NLT).

God helping us, we move forward together!

Major Grace Payton USA Eastern Territory

14 Revive

my story

‘N

set

ow get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me’ (Acts 26:16-18 NIV 1984).

God spoke these words to me when I responded to the call to Salvation Army officership in 2008. This is my testimony. I am a witness of a mighty,

free

Lieutenant Miwa Nakajima ASSISTANT UNDER SECRETARY FOR SOUTH PACIFIC AND EAST ASIA ZONE International Headquarters

loving, compassionate God, because I was someone who was turned from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God. My first experience in this world was marked by abandonment. My mother attempted suicide when she was six months’ pregnant with me, because she despaired of the future with her abusive husband. We both survived after being rushed to a hospital, and soon after I was born she filed for divorce.

I have no recollection of these incidents.

All I remember is growing up in a

‘I was so empty and miserable because I was never sure if I was truly wanted’

single-parent household, yet being well loved and prayed for after my mother encountered Jesus through The Salvation Army in Nagano, Japan. She subsequently remarried and I was given a very caring stepfather and an adorable baby sister.

Then I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to study in America from when I was 15 to 24 years old.

On the surface it would appear that things were going wonderfully. But all that time I had an unexplainable hollowness inside. When I was 10 I would be reciting Bible verses in Sunday school, but ‘behind the scenes’ I was shoplifting with friends.

In my late teens I turned to partying and unhealthy relationships.

I’ve been told that if your heart isn’t filled by the reassuring love of Father God, you get trapped in seeking fulfilment from things that can never satisfy. How true this Revive 15

my story Clockwise from far left: baby Miwa with her mum and grandparents; Miwa (3) pictured with Miss Hogue, a missionary in Nagano; Miwa at high school in Washington; Miwa at her home corps with then Lieut-Colonels Keith and Pauline Banks

was of me! I was so empty and miserable because I was never sure if I was truly wanted. But my pride would never allow me to drop my guard.

I renounced God along the way, because I saw him as a rigid figure who made me feel guilty for everything. I needed love with skin on it, but God didn’t seem to care about meeting my need. Things hit rock bottom when I returned from America and couldn’t adapt to life back in Japan.

I felt so displaced and lonely that a sense of worthlessness cornered me to the point where I couldn’t find motivation to go on any more.

Then my mother invited me to a Salvation Army meeting for the hundredth time. I finally went, as though I was doing her a favour. But there, in the worship, a Scripture verse was spoken by the corps officer: ‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33). Those words pierced through me. In that single moment all the turmoil was taken away by this God who not only understands my trouble but

‘My spirit came out of dormancy and a hunger for spiritual truth followed‘ 16 Revive

held me back from loving God and others freely. Self-pity and envy would get the better of me often.

But through prayer, God has shown me – and is still showing me – where my bitter roots are springing from (my experience as a baby being one of them). The more healing and forgiveness I receive, the more assured and liberated I am becoming.

To love God and each other are the greatest commands of all, and there lies the greatest blessing that God wants us to inherit. But in this broken world, the Enemy holds many people in bondage, in darkness. Yet God reveals time and again that he overcomes. I am just so grateful that he is making me into one of his many witnesses. Joy and peace in my heart are the proof. has overcome. In that single moment I was consoled, I was encouraged – and I was saved out of the world! I cried and cried, so relieved to be assured that I belonged. It was a homecoming.

My spirit came out of dormancy and a hunger for spiritual truth followed. As I read the Bible, the Holy Spirit revealed to me what kind of God he really is and what Jesus has done for me. Within a few years I was led to work at territorial headquarters in Tokyo, getting to know the bigger picture of The Salvation Army in Japan.

From early on I was conscious that God was calling me to a full-time ministry, but it took me an awfully long time to say ‘yes’ to officership. I argued that there must be other ways to give my life to God, but in the end he made it very clear to me that I was being called to The Salvation Army and to become an officer in it.

Although God has saved me miraculously, sanctification is is an ongoing process. After entering the training college, God started to reveal my inability to open my heart to love or trust. The slave may be freed, but he can still retain the slave mentality within him.

As much as I believed in God’s power, I still had so much fear and insecurity that

spiritual life

Colonel Prema Varughese Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries Zimbabwe Territory

Columnist for 2013

h s i d p n e is c i r f o

A

m pa nio

ccording to sociologists, ‘Man is a social being.’

In simple terms it means that we need each other.

People need companionship – somebody to be with them, especially in times of crisis. Such people are called friends.

Friendship is characterised by affection, loyalty, love and respect. True friendships are a rare treasure because within that relationship there is mutual understanding.

The Bible contains remarkable and beautiful stories of friendship, such as those between Ruth and Naomi, David and Jonathan. True friendships are valuable because through them we can receive love, support, encouragement, help and, yes, constructive criticism that will help us to grow in character. In Jesus we find an unfailing and sacrificial friendship.

Jesus called his disciples ‘friends’ and shared everything with them that he heard from his Father (John 15:15). He had close friends like Peter, James and John who were with him during difficult times. Jesus befriended people from all walks of life.

He showed us how to be friendly even when we face trials. He demonstrated it on the Cross by comforting and giving hope to the repentant thief.

William Booth, the Founder of The Salvation Army, followed a similar pattern of life. At the time of Booth’s funeral the British monarch, King George V, wrote, ‘The nation has lost a great organiser and the poor a wholehearted and sincere friend, who devoted his life to helping them in a practical way.’ President Howard Taft of the USA wrote that the Founder’s ‘long life and great talents were dedicated to the noble work of helping the poor and weak, and giving them another chance to attain successes and happiness’.

True friendship is companionship. Friends will not consider themselves as great but, rather, strive to make others happy. In the book The General Next to God, by Richard Collier, it is recorded that the people who attended General Booth’s funeral were ‘thieves, tramps, harlots, the lost and outcast to whom Booth had given his heart’. What a wonderful testimony to our Founder being a true friend in Christ to those people!

n sh i p

'People need companionship – somebody to be with them, especially in times of crisis'

India (my country of origin) is known as a pluralistic country – a society in which the members of minority groups maintain their independent cultural tradions. Pluralism is widely accepted and respected. From my childhood my parents and church taught me to love people and make friends with others, irrespective of their religion, faith, culture, colour or language, and to live in harmony.

As an officer in The Salvation Army my covenant reminds me ‘to care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the unlovable and befriend those who have no friends’. This is what the Army stands for and I am called to this ministry. What about you?

Friendship is truly a blessing from God. He has given me many good friends in my life. There have been times when I failed to communicate with them because of various challenges. But I pray for my friends around the world. I value friendship and want to be a true friend to all in Christ.

Revive 17

the

prayerhouse

the e

‘ T hey all joined together constantly in prayer ’ ( A cts 1 : 1 4 )

ne ... i g n

I

have been a Salvation Army officer for more than 30 years and I believe people could say that most of the time I’ve engaged myself wholeheartedly in everything I’ve done. I haven’t been afraid to try out new routes in order for the message of the gospel to reach people effectively.

I have a fundamental love for Jesus and I’ve always known the importance of a balance between prayer and work, but in my eagerness to reach out to people’s needs there has been an overload of work at the cost of prayer. Now and then I’ve checked myself and tried to find the right balance, but there is a tendency to slip back – and the consequence is exhaustion. I suppose I’m more a ‘doer’ than a praying soul.

Three years ago my husband shared with me his vision about building a house of prayer. For a couple of years we had a morning prayertime every workday at 8.30, for half an hour, and he was now encouraging people to also book themselves for more prayertime. It was difficult as only a couple of hours were being booked.

As I read the book of Nehemiah, God was talking powerfully about ‘We started to see the importance of standing up God’s hand over us against the cunning attacks of the enemy. There was no room in a clearer way for shortcuts! Nehemiah and his than ever before’ people saw that the only safe way to accomplish the restoration of the wall was to have the masonry trowel in one hand and the weapon (prayer) in the other. When we are building God’s Kingdom, there is no room for shortcuts.

My husband and I extended our praying to include lunchtime every workday.

Now it was almost beginning to be addictive; without prayer something was missing. We started to see God’s hand over us in a clearer way than ever before.

I continued to read my Bible – this time about Daniel, how he prayed three times a day and gained victory in what seemed to be an impossible situation. It became a ‘must’ to have prayer morning, noon and evening. In addition other people were filling up the day with private prayer time.

f or

e ve

r

yt

18 Revive

Our goal is to fill all days with prayer! Why – wouldn’t that be a waste of precious time? Away with that! That’s the biggest lie the Enemy has succeeded in planting among God’s people.

Today I can say that I’m ready to lay down everything if we cease to pray.

Prayer is the engine to everything we do. No vehicle moves forward without an engine, and nor does God’s Kingdom. It is essential to petition God. He longs to be with his children. He is our commander in chief, the God who is able to do the impossible.

o d h i n g we

Major Ann-Christine Karlsten CORPS OFFICER, Visby CORPS Sweden AND LATVIA TERRITORY

resources

Major Beverly Ivany

E

veryone’s devotional time is private, personal. It’s time alone with God. But can we enhance this ‘alone’ time in any way?

Are we willing to try something different – something that might give a new perspective for our devotional time and still bring great joy to our hearts?

Since being appointed as the writer of The Salvation Army’s international daily devotions book, Words of Life, I’ve become acutely aware of its great value for several very important reasons, which I’d like to share with you.

Words of Life is comprehensive. The way Words of Life is organised in its present form takes you through every book of the Bible in a three-year cycle. No matter which edition you start with, if read through for these consecutive years, you will have covered the entire Bible. Some books are more difficult than others, but they’re in the Bible for a reason and it’s good to tackle them – at least from time to time – in order to hear what God is saying to us, his people. Although not a commentary as such, Words of Life strives to be comprehensive in trying to determine what God is revealing through his Word.

Each day a Scripture reading is given, plus a key verse to focus upon. Sometimes the Scripture is rather deep. The devotional then comments on what God is saying to us. The readings are, hopefully, an encouragement, an inspiration.

Something uplifting.

A blessing for

‘The readings are an encouragement, an inspiration. Something uplifting’ the day. A thought to perhaps share with others. As we are blessed, so we are to bless one another.

At the end of the daily reading, often there’s a prayer or an ‘action’ suggestion – so that we can be there for others. We need to execute what we’ve learned, what’s been revealed to us; for we are Christ’s hands and feet for a world in desperate need of the Saviour.

Words of Life unites us as an Army. Each edition includes two weeks’ material by a guest writer from some other part of the world. This gives a different perspective and insight into another person’s thoughts.

Almost every Sunday we look at a song from our songbook – so rich in theology and inspirational in content. Most Saturdays present us with a psalm or proverb to bless our souls.

But even above all this, it’s the Army’s daily devotional book. So, on any given day Salvationists and friends of the worldwide Salvation Army are reading the same devotional resource. It unites us – ‘One Army, One Message, One Mission’. We can pray for one another, even though we don’t know each other.

And so the question: Is Words of Life for me? My answer: Why not give it a try? It can even be used to complement what you are already reading for your devotional time. We can’t go wrong with reading the Bible from cover to cover and then applying it to our everyday life. And to know I’m doing this with you, and you with me – all because we are joined together with Christ – is a beautiful gift from God. Will you give prayerful consideration to reading Words of Life? May the Lord richly bless us all as we daily commune with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Major Beverly Ivany writer OF WORDS OF LIFE

Revive 19

feature

Jo Clark July 2010. Friday night.

Rio de Janeiro.

Getting ready for a night out ‘on the town’.

This is certainly going to be a night to remember for me. I arrive at Niteroi Corps, over the bridge and across the bay from the main centre of Rio, around 9pm with the divisional leader. We are greeted by the corps officer – Marilza – and a group of around 12 young people from the corps.

After some quick refreshments we set to work preparing the baskets we will later take out to the streets surrounding the corps hall. Condoms (for men and women), lubricating gel and Bible tracts form the contents. A time of prayer follows – for those we will meet, for ourselves and for the conversations we will have – and then we are off.

We head out in small groups, in different directions, to spend a couple of hours meeting the prostitutes in the community of Niteroi. Handing out the condoms and lubricant opens a door for conversations with the women (young and old), transvestites and transsexuals working the streets around the corps. We chat about work, family, health, friends, challenges and happy moments.

20 Revive

hope

on the streets

Building meaningful relationships with vulnerable groups in Brazil

Where Bible tracts are slow to be offered, they are often asked for – and there is more than one enquiry as to who the ‘new person’ in the Salvation Army group is (the regular faces are well known). Our conversations with some are brief as they head back to search for business on what is proving to be a ‘slow’ night, while others make time to share with us their struggles over the loss of a close friend and the joy of recent successful surgery.

Many of the street workers express their

appreciation of the group’s friendship, with one going further to explain: ‘We told another church they needn’t bother coming here to talk to us because The Salvation Army already come. They meet with us and are our friends. They care enough about our health and well-being that they bring condoms to help us keep ourselves safe from diseases.’

As we walk the streets some of the young Salvationists share their experiences of the deepening relationships they are

‘Handing out the condoms and lubricant opens a door for conversations with the women, transvestites and transsexuals working the streets’

feature

Clockwise from top: the corps team out on the streets; debriefing after a visit; a typical street scene in Niteroi; the group Legatto singing to the prostitutes Below: a member of the corps team

developing with the prostitutes. Many have become ‘virtual’ friends and are continuing and strengthening their friendships through linking up via social networking websites such as Orkut (the Brazilian version of Facebook).

Some of the young people have been invited, as ‘friends from work’, to attend one of the prostitute’s children’s birthday parties. The prostitute’s family don’t know the details of their work; the level of trust in the friendship with the young Salvationists invited to the parties is clear.

Back at the corps, a time to chat about the people we had met, what we had learned and the conversations we’d had … and then we call it a night – or, rather, a very early morning!

December 2011.

Friday night. Niteroi.

A popular local music group is gathering at the Salvation Army hall while corps members and young people of the outreach team are busy preparing food for a Christmas celebration that the young people will hold with the prostitutes of their community.

As the music group plays, only one of the prostitutes invited over the preceding

weeks turns up at the corps building. So the music group takes to the streets!

Soon, enough interested followers are attracted and they return to the hall with the music group to be royally fed and entertained. Five prostitutes from the Niteroi community sit together with young people from the corps inside the Salvation Army hall for the first time, for an hour and a half, and listen to the Christmas story being told through music.

July 2012. Another Friday.

The young people continue their weekly rounds on the streets of Niteroi but add to the programme what they call ‘MissionFocused Prayer’. They now meet earlier than before to take time to pray for their work and ‘prayer subjects for the week’ requested by the prostitutes. An outcome of this is that more people in the corps who may not wish to be directly involved in the street ministry are willing to come to pray for the prostitutes.

It is interesting to observe that the women prostitutes share freely what they think and also their requests for prayer. The men on the other hand are much more resistant as most of them have some sort of previous Revive 21

feature

Pictured above: members of Legatto, corps young people and the commanding officers

trauma related to evangelical churches. But the young people have managed to find their way around these barriers.

December 2012.

One of the group members walking the streets of Niteroi on that evening back in July 2010 was Bia (Beatriz) – a social worker student from Rio who was being supervised by Vania, a qualified social worker and team leader (the corps’s Community Care Ministries Secretary).

Struggling to make up her hours of supervised contribution towards her studies

‘They hope to create another new and unexpected opportunity for developing deeper relationships with the street workers’ 22 Revive

during the day time, Vania had suggested that Bia could help with the Friday evening outreach venture to fulfil her quota of ‘practice hours’.

Her studies now completed, Bia continues to come along voluntarily to spend her Friday nights with the young Salvationists of Niteroi and visit the prostitutes of their community. She has also started attending Sunday meetings and other corps events and, two and a half years on, Bia and her formerly drug-addicted companion, now her husband, are preparing to become soldiers of Niteroi Corps.

2013.

Following a second successful Christmas celebration in December 2012, the corps team has asked if the music group would be willing to entertain the prostitutes at Easter this year, as well as Christmas. They hope to create another new and unexpected opportunity for developing deeper relationships with the street workers. The

music group gladly agrees to get involved.

I can’t help wondering what the Lord will continue to do in the lives of these very different groups of people, brought together because some young Salvationists decided to do something in their area.

As ‘One Army, with One Mission and One Message’ let the young people of Niteroi inspire us to continue to build meaningful relationships with others in our communities in which we: Communicate Christ unashamedly.

Reaffirm our belief in transformation.

Evangelise and disciple effectively.

• • •

Jo Clark Community Development Coordinator, AMERICAS AND CARIBBEAN ZONE International Headquarters

resources The Walk Worthy Bible studies are available for free from your territorial president of women’s ministries. Order through your divisional director for women’s ministries.

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.

MOTHER TERESA

Every experience God gives us, every person he puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only he can see.

We are made for larger ends than earth can encompass. Oh, let us be true to our exalted destiny.

CORRIE TEN-BOOM

CATHERINE BOOTH

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In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.

GENERAL EVA BURROWS (Retired)

箴言１８：２４メッセージ訳

friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family PROVERBS 18:24 (TM)