Free Taster 3...

"Although revivals ultimately end in the conversion of people opposed to Christianity, they always begin inside the Church. When William Booth boldly declared 'send the fire' in his stirring hymn, he cried to God 'Look down and see this waiting host, give us the promised Holy Ghost, we need another Pentecost!' As we seek another Pentecost we might be encouraged to recall that the first one happened in a meeting attended by a group of fearful, sinful, doubting men and women prone to denial, failure and fear. The weaknesses swept aside by Pentecost were personal to each individual disciple. Pentecost didn't demolish the temple, or wipe out the Pharisees or edit the law – it dealt with the individual. Revival will always be the revival of the individual – the more individuals that are revived, the fiercer the flames of revival will burn.

It is no wonder then, that in spite of their many inquiries, the collective denominations that make up the Christian church have been unable to write a strategy for recovery, for the problem lies not in the fabric or the methodology of the church but in the heart of individual believers. Indeed, God can only revive congregations one soul at a time and he does that through holiness.

When Christ speaks about the Church, he uses the metaphor of a body. It is the nature of cells, whether they be healthy or cancerous, to reproduce. Decline will either continue or be reversed according to the health of individual cells. There is nothing wrong with the head or the heart of the church, it is the unhealthy cells that make up the body, through which the head and heart try to operate, that bring about failure."

Grace and peace, A

Courage brother it is still God's will to save our nation!

It’s 2:27am and I’m in Dartford Salvation Army Hall in the middle of an all night of prayer. The Computer’s been left on and logged onto the internet so that people can send emails, look up quotes, search the bible, play midi files or whatever they feel led to do.

I’ve just stuck pins in a map of the world a pin in Melbourne (prayers for Steve, Danielle and Xander) a pin in Sydney (Prayers for Andrew Stringer and his clan) a pin in Vancouver for Jonathan and Olivia – I’ve prayed for all you guys!

We’ve just prayer walked Dartford High Street, picking our way through the drunks (who all look too young to be out at 1am let alone out drinking.) I knelt down outside a busy pub, on the very spot where 100 years ago this year 3 Salvationists were arrested and sent to prison for preaching the gospel. Together with my friends we reclaimed Dartford for Jesus and spoke out against the strongholds of alcohol, gambling and prostitution which so obviously hold the town. Jesus was with us and we sensed the heavenly hosts twitch with excitement, swords at the ready and eager for battle!

I have such an overwhelming sense tonight that God is so ready to act. Already in Dartford we have felt those big heavy splashes of rain that precede a storm – revival is on its way – I feel it in every spiritual cell of soul.

You know we have some Officers in the UK who think we’re living in the last days, a time when the bible predicts decline and apostasy – so they’ve given up on evangelism! They tell me that we are the church of Laodicea. I disagree – I violently disagree! We are the church of Sardis and God (hallelujah) has not completed his work in us yet!

God can do immeasurably more than all we could ask or even imagine – how? by the power that’s at work in us. I was reading the Soldier’s covenant earlier and the Officer’s covenant – you know if every soldier and every Officer got up tomorrow morning and kept their promises it would transform our Army overnight – in fact I reckon that if only a tenth did that we could conquer the world for Christ within a year.

Friends, we must pray, fast, repent, fight for social justice, become a voice for the silent and make the invisible visible. We must once more make Isaiah 58 our benchmark then we could again rise like the sun and rebuild the broken places.

Comrades – let’s do it!

No more compromise or excuses no more measuring ourselves against each other. Let’s measure ourselves against God’s word and then when we realise how poor we are let’s allow God to make us rich, when we realise how weak we are let’s allow God to make us strong and then let’s conquer the world for Jesus.

The Salvation war still rages, reinforcements are needed, give everything you have , surrender all and do or die for Jesus.

“Courage my brother it is still the will of God to save our nation” (GSR)

The Matrix (no not that one!)

In the UK Territory we have something called a ‘Qualitative Questionnaire’ that is used to produce a ‘qualitative matrix’ (nothing to do with the film!) This matrix is supposed to show you whether a Corps is static, in decline or growing.

On the whole the questionnaire is a good document because it forces you to sit down and statistically analyse the performance and spiritual health of the Corps.

The period covered by the questionnaire I have just completed covers the six month period before we arrived and the 10 months that we have been here and the results are really quite encouraging.

You’ll have to forgive me if the following sounds a bit like I’m reading from a ‘bank balance sheet’ but that is the way the questionnaire is designed to work. It certainly isn’t meant to be self praise either – there is a lot of room for improvement and in terms of evangelism we haven’t really started yet.

During 2007/08

More than 25 people have attended worship for the first time and 7 have subsequently attended worship more than 6 times (and they are still attending)

In the last 10 months we have seen 21 new people (or lapsed attendees) start to attend the family worship service on a Sunday morning.

During this time 4 people have come to faith.

30 plus people have shown a noticeable increase in there passion for the Lord in the last 12 months.

The Mercy Seat (which hadn’t been used since 2001) has been used 31 times in the last 10 months.

In the same period 9 people have become friends, 2 adherents, 1 a soldier, and there are 3 recruits about to start recruits classes. In the same time we have seen 5 Junior Soldiers enrolled and have 2 JS recruits currently going through classes. In addition 9 Junior Musicians have been enrolled. We have seen the band resurrected and a Singing Company formed.

On the financial front, fund raising has gone up by about £1000 per month.

During the same time over 20 people have started to use their gifts or engaged in new areas of service within the Corps.

Now this is hardly revival! But maybe it is those first few heavy splashes of rain that fall just before a storm breaks. It's not just happening at Dartford either, I’ve also heard of other Corps where similar ‘splashes’ are being felt.

Will it become revival?

That will all depend on the holiness of the participants, if holiness is pursued, obtained and maintained then revival will be the natural outcome.

As I have always said, holiness will prove to be the Salvation of the Salvation Army!

Hallelujah!

Prince Caspian

Prince Caspian is one of my favourite books in The Chronicles of Narnia.

I like it because it is about apostasy and revival!
In the story, the Pevensie Kids, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are transported from a country railway station to an island in Narnia. It is 1000 years since they were last there, talking beasts are just myths, Aslan is almost forgotten and the castle where they reigned when last in Narnia (Cair Paravel) is in ruins. The real heir to the Narnian Throne Prince Caspian is at risk from his wicked Uncle King Miraz, a tyrant who murdered Caspian's father.

What I love about this story is that no one believes in the old days anymore, the old magic and the old ways are rejected and almost forgotten. But there is a remnant, a band of ‘primitive Narnians’ Glenstorm the Centaur, Trufflehunter (a loyal badger) and Reepicheep (a wonderful almost Railtonian mouse!) who help the true King reclaim his throne.

The story is such a good metaphor for the church of today - in an early battle, the Narnians make strategic mistakes, many animals die, and they are forced to retreat…. But of course later on Aslan appears and renews the land. He calls forth the dryads (tree spirits) to dance again; he awakens the river god, who then destroys a massive man-made wooden bridge over the Fjords of Beruna.

It’s released in the UK from June 27th and there are some great suggestions as to how the film can be used to generate opportunities for mission here http://www.damaris.org/narnia (Thanks to Matt C for pointing this out!)

Revival comes when the remnant starts believing and obeying, hallelujah – let’s do it!

Love and prayers

A

Holiness alone delivers success!

Folloowing on from my blog a couple of days ago on holiness I came across the following snippet from The Officer Magazine, March 1894...

"The last two or three issues of the USA "Cry" to hand have contained correspondence with reference to "what constitutes a successful field officer?" following figures are given as an example of an officer's work, and as showing the possibility of lifting a "hard go" :-

Seven Months Preceding

Total attendance at meetings 7,532
Total attendance of soldiers 1,655
Number of open-airs 21
Number of soldiers at open-airs 217
Number of souls saved 4
Number of soldiers on roll-call 20
Number of recruits 0
War-Crys 75
Soldiers in full uniform 6
Soldiers wearing S's and badge 8

Seven Months Captain Well Saved

Total attendance at meetings 19,238
Total attendance of soldiers 4,930
Number of open-airs 100
Number of soldiers at open-airs 2,216
Number of souls saved 60
Number of soldiers on roll-call 39
Number of recruits 6
War-Crys 150
Soldiers in full uniform 14
Soldiers wearing S's and badge 32

I think no one would deny that the above record is a success. Now, how was it done? “Visiting," says one. No, not at all, for the captain was alone nearly all her term and had too much other work to make a speciality of visiting. "Open-air work," suggests another and we admit that to a great extent; but the root of the matter is neither visiting, open-air work, soldiers' meetings, singing, speaking or anything else but the grace of God, given to those who seek it to the exclusion of everything else. All other things are branches, leaves and blossoms on the tree of Salvation Army service; but the root, the trunk which makes and holds up the branches, blossoms and fruit is a daily consecrated body, soul and spirit."

Holiness will prove to be the salvation of the Salvation Army.

Love and prayers

A

Revival has come to Dartford!!!

Last Sunday Revival came to Dartford! However, this wasn't Revival in the Pentecostal sense. On this occasion Revival was the name of a Christian from Zimbabwe who had come to the meeting to be the witness at the dedication of a little baby girl - Vanessa (also from Zimbabwe).

In fact we had over 50 visitors all of whom heralded from that troubled country. It was a fantastic meeting and our African visitors certainly added to the occasion in a memorable and stirring way.

It was grteat to have Revival with us but not as great as it would have been if this blog entry had been about the arrival of that more familiar form of revival.

I've been thinking a lot about revival and it seems to me that there are three common denominators within the church which can be identified during times of revival.

The first is the fact that Christians during times of revival believed that salvation was important - they believed that the converts they made were actually being saved from a fate worse than death. They believed in heaven and hell and therefore as a consequence there was a compassion and urgency about their evangelism.

Secondly, believers during times of revival are obsessed with saving the lost! They didn't have any other interests apart from soul saving. They didn't go to the theatre or watch football or spend time at parties - all their time was given to the task of getting people saved. This obsession of course was directly linked to the first point above - if people died without knowing Christ then there was the possibility they had gone to hell. Believers in times of revival work with the same committment and sense of urgency that people would work to rescue someone from a burning building - the consequences (both for themselves and the lost) of apathy and laziness were unthinkable.

Finally, revivals seem to happen when the church appears to be on the brink of collapse. Healthy churches don't appear to be visited by revival (if you follow my drift). Because of this widespread apostasy revivals seem to start with just a few people for whom points 1 and 2 above are true.

Well the good news is that the third criteria we (in the West at least) seem to possess in abundance. I guess revival (not the one from Zimbabwe) will come to Dartford when a few of us have discovered the first two.

Plenty to think about....

Love and prayers

A

Commitment 2008

Yesterday was 'Committment Sunday' in the UK Territory and at Dartford we had an excellent meeting with a wonderful and comprehensive response. Numbers were low due to a few people being away and the imminent arrival of a baby!

Used the rich young ruler as a model of failed commitment. Here was a man who 'only lacked one thing'. Pointed out that when we think about commitment we tend to ask the question "what must I do" whereas God wants to talk about ownership - "who owns you?" It's not about 'doing' it's about being' (nothing original here). As my CSM mentioned later 'we're human beings not human doings'

We used the following songs:

• 'Come now is the time to worship',
• 'Oh thou God of every nation',
• 'There is a message',
• 'I surrender all'
• 'Lord I make a full surrender'.

Also played Keith Green's 'You love the world and you're avoiding me' half way through the sermon.

During the appeal, pointed out that anything less than 100% leaves us 'going away sad' (even when we've managed to keep all the commandments from our youth up!) Kept in with the theme of 'Hope 08' by pointing out that 100% commitment (i.e. holiness) is our only 'hope' and the only 'hope' for Dartford - 'if we want to see revival in Dartford it will cost us everything!'

Meeting over ran by half an hour but out of a congregation of 36 including (ten under the age of 15) 34 came and knelt at the Mercy Seat in an act of rededication. That's 94.4% - the two that didn't come forward were my 11 year old daughter who was manning the 'toddlers corner' at the back of the hall and a 93 year old soldier who didn't kneel at the Mercy Seat but did take a pack of 'Hope 08' commitment cards with her.

A great encouragement and bodes well for the future!

Love and prayers

A

Dartford Dispatches

It’s a long time since I’ve had the time to blog.
If there is another vocation out there that crams as much into one month as Salvation Army Officership crams into December I’ll eat my cap!

Incredible things have been happening at Dartford – God has been picking off individuals like a sniper. We have seen no conversions to date but God is definitely preparing the ground. We have seen the power of holiness transform lives and it is indeed an amazing thing to behold.

On a practical front we‘ve got building works starting on Friday – all funded from within the Corps. We also have a new sound system and AV rig going in before our carol service at the end of the month. We’ve also got a quote coming in for a new fitted kitchen. We haven’t applied for any external grants or funding - this is all being paid for out of existing funds and money generated by new fund-raising started up in the last 3 months.

Our sale of work this year raised £2481 (our Corps budget anticipated £400) this incredible total included one single cash donation of £1000 – this came not from a Salvationist but from a lady who simply ‘admires the work of the Army in Dartford’ (an admiration that began long before we arrived!)

Last week our band played in the High Street for the first time in 16 years! Later on the same day we carolled at Bluewater shopping centre – unable to get any help from surrounding Corps - we followed the lead of Gideon and went in the strength we had! Nobody at the Corps could believe that Dartford band had carolled – let alone at Bluewater!

We took our Corps flag to the High Street and also to Bluewater – I noticed it’s got a few moth holes in it – should we get another one or should we let the old one enjoy a new season of outreach and open-airs before we promote it to glory? Booth Tucker visited Dartford (where his daughter was the CO) back in 1920’s – it’s quite possible he marched behind the moth-eaten flag – I think we’ll give it another season of warfare first!

On Sunday a family of political asylum seekers from Sri Lanka who we had given a food parcel to earlier in the week came to the meetings. They didn’t understand a word that was said or sung but they understood (and responded to) the love that was shown to them.

God’s hand of blessing is quite clearly upon us and I am certain that 2008 will bring even greater blessings including the onset of revival!

Watch this space.

Stuck record...

I don't want to sound like a stuck record but...

It’s the end of week one and I can honestly say that I cannot think of anything else I would have rather do or anywhere else I would rather be than the Corps Officer of Dartford Corps.

To say I have thoroughly enjoyed my first at Dartford would be an enormous understatement!
The excitement, variety, challenge and optimism that covenanted Officership delivers cannot be equalled anywhere in the world. This week...

• I met a confused elderly lady who wants a fridge


• a recovering alcoholic who wants more than just food (hallelujah!)


• delivered a business plan to DHQ for much needed hall improvements (not just aesthetics but improvements that will increase our mission capabilities)


• came up with a strategy to make the Corps financially self sufficient by Spring 2008


• led a two hour roller coaster Corps Council meeting,


• did two much needed pastoral visits,


• chased up THQ about IT,


• collected for an hour at ASDA (Wal-Mart for those over the pond!)


• Spoke to a lady whose husband wants to trace his lost Father,


• shredded about a ton of obsolete filing


• and introduced myself (via email) to the other ministers in the area.

I am so happy, so certain that I am in the right place and that God is here and I am only just starting to warm up.

We are going to have revival at Dartford (not just the SA but all the churches), I know it, and I feel it in every fibre of my body and every pulse of my soul. Am I making myself a hostage to fortune by saying that? No! I’m simply expecting God to deliver – and he will!

Watch this space.

Yours set apart by Christ, for the lost, in the Army.

Soldier rouse thee!

A week today we will lead the forces of good stationed at Dartford against the forces of darkness in that area. We go with absolute confidence because :–

“though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

We go with confidence because I am absolutely convinced and deeply moved within my heart that a revival is about to hit the western territories of TSA with a holy vengeance never experienced before – something even greater than 1865-1880!

I don’t need any encouragement because I am already like a dog chomping at the bit however Richard Munn’s call to ‘neglect not the fight’ has increased my eagerness to engage in battle – listen to his call to arms here Innocence & shrewdness.

Soldier, rouse thee! War is raging,

God and fiends are battle waging—

Every ransomed pow’r engaging,

Break the tempter’s spell.

Dare ye still lie fondly dreaming,

Wrapt in ease and worldly scheming,

While the multitudes are streaming

Downwards into hell?

Through the world resounding,

Let the gospel sounding,

Summon all, at Jesus’ call

His glorious cross surrounding.

Sons of God, earth’s trifles leaving,

Be not faithless but believing,

To your conquering Captain cleaving,

Forward in the fight.

Lord, we come, and from Thee never

Self nor earth our hearts shall sever;

Thine entirely, Thine forever,

We will fight and die.

To a world of rebels dying,

Heav’n and hell and God defying,

Everywhere we’ll still be crying,

“Will ye perish—why?”

Hark! I hear the warriors shouting,

Now the hosts of hell we’re routing;

Courage! Onward! Never doubting,

We shall win the day.

See the foe before us falling,

Sinners on the Saviour calling,

Throwing off the bondage galling—

Join our glad array.

Yours set apart by Christ, in the Army, for the lost

A

Limited by the above...

Steve Court points out that statistically (with 3,245 Officers 1,424 Corps and 2,462 Outposts) India boasts the biggest SA in the world. It is therefore quite amazing when you read Harry Williams account of the Army’s invasion of the sub continent. The following quote comes from the Booth-Tucker biography “William Booth’s first gentleman” and recounts day 1 of the Indian invasion.

Henry Bullard noted a large number of police lining the waterfront it did not enter his mind that it was a welcome party for the Salvationists. But it was. The Superintendent stepped for­ward "When will the other members of the party land?" In surprise Tucker replied, "We are the whole of the Army." In evident amazement Police Superintendent Harry Brewin responded “why, we were expecting you to arrive a thousand strong.” The Army formed up, Tucker in the lead, carrying the flag presented by Catherine Booth, Bullard followed playing a cornet and Norman next beating he drum, Mary Thompson brought up the rear with the first tambourine display the Bombay crowd had seen.”

Booth Tucker (above)

Henry Bullard (right)

I recently read a Corps review for a Corps in our division, the present challenges facing this particular corps were listed as:

Aging congregation,

Lack of local leadership

Limited financial resources

Immediately beneath these ‘challenges’ under the heading ‘Corps mission expectations for the future’ the following words appeared:

“Limited by the above”

This Corps in spite of its perceived limitations has significantly more resources than Bullard, Tucker et al had.

When we read in Proverbs “Where there is no vision, the people perish” is it any wonder revival tarries!

Love and prayers

A

Contradictory prophecy...?

Gerald Coates once imparted to a woman a prophetic word that he believed had come from God. Upon hearing the word the woman asked Gerald what it meant, his response was ‘Don’t ask I’m just the postman – the message is from God.’

Whilst there is some wisdom in the above response it is largely a cop out. On the whole God gives his prophets access to the meaning of the messages they are asked to deliver:

“The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace…”

I recently posted two prophetic words on in the interner, one based on Isaiah 1 and the other based on Ezekiel 36 & 37. A couple of people have contacted me concerning the contradictory nature of these two words. I felt it therefore appropriate to respond.

First of all, let me say that Old Testament prophets gave many apparently contradictory words – just take Isaiah as an example. He constantly berates the people for their sins, calls the nation to repentance and talks of judgement yet almost in the same breath speaks about hope and restoration. Look at Isaiah 58 and 59 – Here (in chapter 58) we have a comprehensive and critical tirade against Israel and her sinful practices. However, hot on its heels comes chapter 60 an overwhelmingly optimistic chapter concerned with the restoration of Zion and her fortunes. (Incidentally I believe that all three of these chapters have significant relevance for TSA western territories.)

Secondly, there is an important question in the second word which by its presence makes the whole word conditional and backs up the threat of the first word.

“Salvation Army can you live, can I trust you once more with such a calling as this? You are so dry, look, walk up and down the aisles of your halls, and mingle midst your musicians and soldiers, look how dry you are – can you live again? Preach, prophesy, command yourselves in my name to stand up and fight again. I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”(37:1-6)

God has always struggled to express his hope for the chosen when so many of them are in open rebellion. Much of the bible is like a ‘good cop / bad cop’ transcript. Look at Isaiah 1 (the chapter which inspired the first word) all of that anger followed by ‘come now let us reason together… though your sins are as scarlet they shall be as white as snow.”

The two words published in JAC only appear contradictory if considered out of context.

The first word, I believe, is spoken to the wider Salvation Army; it is a dismissal of evil practices and a clear call to repentance. It reminds TSA of both the negative consequences of ‘sin in the camp’ and the positive consequences of repentance. It states that the next ten years are critical and will decide the future of the Army. This doesn’t mean that continued rebellion and disobedience will signal the end of TSA (in some form) – the world is full of fully functional discarded denominations that God uses as best he can (‘fully functional’ as a nominal denomination and ‘discarded’ only as long as they remain apostate). However, our collective response to this word will determine whether we become the cutting edge of the militant church in the centre of revival or a tired dysfunctional organisation whose evangelical effectiveness is akin to moving sand with tweezers.

Whilst the warning is unequivocal there is a ‘remnant’ who have tried to remain faithful to the Army’s true principles and it is to this remnant that the second word is directed.

As our repentance addresses corporate and personal sin and as we slowly begin to take ground in the spiritual realms so we hasten revival. This revival will come - of that I am sure - and it will come within the next 10 years (I am equally certain of that too.)

My certainty is based on two things – God wants revival and so do the remnant – as long as those two stay together then revival will happen.

However, the revival will deliver two things. It will wash away all that is superficial and unrefined (this is the threat contained in the first word). It will also refresh and strengthen that which remains (this is the hope expressed in the second word).

It is important (as stressed in the second word) that the credit for this revival is taken by God. The remnant needs to be made aware that the revival is not their doing. Repentance is not so much a virtue as it is a necessary evil. Like lancing a boil or sucking poison from a wound (in this case a self inflicted wound). If there was no sin there would be no need for repentance. If revival follows repentance then it is possible that an unpleasant self righteousness may develop among the remnant who might be tempted to see their ‘virtuous’ repentance, prayer and fasting as the means of revival. When God restores TSA it may be in response to the prayers of a few who have turned from sin and embraced holiness but the glory and praise will be his and his alone.

Another thing which I am reluctant to add but do so out of obedience! TSA is to be at the heart of this revival because God has chosen it not because of anything meritorious in its make up or members. TSA, even in the future glory years, will still be a leaky craft capable of corporate capsizing on a grand scale – just as it was in the 1880’s and 1890’s (see Railton’s criticism of the early Army’s burgeoning commercialism, the shift from evangelism to social work, the idolatry of music etc) The second word also makes it clear that just as the glory is not ours individually neither is it the property of the Army corporately– the glory will go to God and to God alone.

Finally, on a personal note, I have always believed that revival would be preceded by some enormous corporate humiliation, something that makes TSA look foolish and damages its undeserved reputation for good works and integrity. However, I have not had any confirmation on this point so I have not published it. It would though tie in with the calamity of the first word followed by the promise of the second.

As with all prophecy – both words are dependant upon the response of those who hear – those within the Army who cling to their dead works, reputation, social status etc will be subject to judgement. In the same way as those who find themselves at the heart of revival and take the credit for it will also be subject to judgement.

I have always felt that the word in Revelation to Sardis is most appropriate to the SA and it contains the spirit of both words published in JAC.

“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. Those who are victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out their names from the book of life, but will acknowledge their names before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Yours set apart, by Christ for the lost, in the Army,

A

Allister Smith on Holiness and Revival!

Allister Smith on Holiness and Revival!

“The problems of the world and of the Church are fundamentally spiritual, and therefore their solution must be a spiritual one. As each Christian seeks after holiness, and longs for a clean heart filled with the love of Christ, so revival will be brought nearer. Let us each exclaim:

"The greatest need of the Church and the world is my personal holiness". There are any needs in the world-political, econo­mic, cultural-but the deepest need is the spiritual redemption of humanity, and this calls for a revival of holiness among Christians. By becoming worldly and prayerless and lacking in vision, the Church is unable to help mankind in this hour of dire peril…

A revival of holiness will bring joy back to a depressed Church, and faith back to a doubting, uncertain Church. It will transform a timid, apologetic Church into one that will boldly challenge the blatant evils and blasphemy of these times, instead of maintaining a shameful silence. Wickedness increases alarmingly on all sides because the Church has lost its power to protest, and its power to pray…

What are we waiting for? Here is the message, so clearly taught by Jesus and set forth in the Word of God, which can transform a weak and dying Church, and give it again an authority before which sinners of all classes, rich and poor, educated and ignorant, will quail and tremble. A Church that is sanctified and transformed, that teaches and lives holiness, will be used of God to bring about the biggest revival the world has known, and to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. That revival is prophesied by Joel and is surely coming. But it will have to be a revival of holiness. Any other revival will be spurious and short-lived…” (The Ideal of Perfection, A. Smith)

I agree completely - Hallelujah!

Yours set apart for revival

AJB

Born in revival?

Recently I visited Penge SA Hall. The hall was built in 1894 and is a typical fortress fronted red brick building. The front door opens onto a busy market and on market day it is not hard to imagine what the life of a Salvationist must have been like in Penge in 1900.

According to the 1901 census my great grandfather, Thomas Taylor, who was a milkman, lived at 104 Beckenham Road, Penge (sadly the original house was destroyed by a doodle bug 0n 2/8/44 and is now a betting shop!).

There is a brass plaque in the lobby of Penge Hall commemorating those who died during the 1914/18 war – one of the names listed is Albert Taylor (the elder brother of my grandfather).

In the Corps history book there is an entry for August 27th 1924 that reads “Cadet Ernest Taylor farewelled for the Training Garrison” (incidentally Brigadier Albert Orsborn was the DC at the time). Ernest was my Granddad and aged 29 he entered the ‘Overcomers session’ (had he gone in, in 1924 his sessional name would have been the ‘aggressors’!)

In 1925 he was appointed to Peterborough where he met my Nan, she entered training and the two eventually married. Sadly, while she was at Clapton Training Garrison her sister died leaving four orphaned children. My Nan went to the Mercy Seat and was advised by Olive Booth to return home and bring up the children. Grandad left the work, married Nan and became a faithful soldier and local Officer. They both regretted their decision to come home until the day they died.

In 1908 the Penge SA history book refers to a great revival (a quick search on Google shows that 1908 was a good year for revivals!) The history book says that many hundreds of local reprobates got saved including ‘drunkards, card sharks, wife-beaters and boxers…’ It also mentions that the poor Adjutants running the Corps at the time could barely keep up with all the visiting required to sustain the revival.

In 1908 my Great granddad was 40 and together with his wife and five children (including my 13 year old granddad) were living half a mile from the hall and by 1914 (only 6 years after the revival) were definitely involved at the Army.

Does this mean my own spiritual DNA was formed in the gene pool of revival? Sadly the trail goes cold although the assumption would be reasonable. Regardless of how my forbears got saved I wonder how many people are going to heaven today simply because their grandparents or great grandparents were plucked from the fire by the early Army.

Maybe my great-grandfather was staggering home down Maple Road past the market stalls and costermongers when he heard a Salvationist challenge him about God and eternity, maybe he knelt at the drum or actually went inside and found God there.

Conversely, I wonder how many people have gone to hell because we no longer preach with the urgency of our spiritual ancestors.

O is not the Christ 'midst the crowd of today
Whose questioning cries do not cease?
And will he not show to the hearts that would know
The things that belong to their peace?
But how shall they hear if the preacher forbear
Or lack in compassionate zeal?
Or how shall hearts move with the Master's own love,
Without his anointing and seal?

(questions asked by my granddad's DC)

Yours set apart by Christ, for the lost, in the Army.

A

A song for revival

I wrote the following yesterday whilst sitting at a pavement cafe in Camden.

The sun was shining and the world was going about its business,. The words will fit many tunes - I had South Shields (TB 444) in mind when I wrote it (I was thinking of BB's classic 'For thy mission make me holy') but you might prefer 'Vacant Chair' (TB 449). Feel free to sing along!

Lord your tired Army slumbers
Battle weary bruised and sore.
Friendly fire has hit our numbers
In the fog of holy war.
Compromise and worldly thinking
In the place of Pentecost
Leaves your Army sadly shrinking
From its call to save the lost.

Lord in mercy send your power
Cleanse our hearts with holy flame
Let your spirit in this hour
Makes us worthy of our name.

In the desert of delusion
Far from love’s refreshing rain.
God himself now asks the question
‘Can my Army live again?’
Only God can see tomorrow
Death and shame or Pentecost?
In your mercy see our sorrow
Send us out to save the lost.

‘Mighty warrior God is with you’
In the strength he has supplied,
With his perfect love within you
Crucify your selfish pride.
Now with no more hesitating
Claim ‘another Pentecost’
For a lonely world is waiting
For his church to save the lost.

Yours set apart, by Christ, for the lost in the Army!

A

Negative prophecy - or message of hope?

My Isaiah word certainly seems to have stirred things up – I say ‘my’ word but I sincerely believe it came from God.

I have had some wonderfully encouraging emails and more importantly news of other prophetic words from around the world all agreeing with this and with each other.

One of the concerns registered by some on the SA IHQ forum (and in comments here) has been the validity of prophecy within the modern church and how we discern what is from God and what is merely personal opinion dressed up as prophecy.

The following definition comes from the wonderful wikipedia.org (the amateur theologian’s best friend!) BTW the links are Wikipedia’s not mine.

“In the Bible prophecy is often referred as one of the fivefold ministries or spiritual gifts that accompany the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The five ministries being; Apostles; Prophets; Evangelists; Teachers and Pastors.(Eph. 4:11) The focus of prophecy is not just future events though, this is only part of the prophetic gifting. Prophets often brought words of comfort, exhortation or general upliftment to the Church. Paul teaches in Corinthians that it is for the benefit of the whole body. It is not meant in Christianity for believers to know the future. But it is important for God to speak to believers as he does through his prophets.”

Far too often prophetic words are see as missives of doom and gloom where as most prophetic words are (if read in context) positive.

If you went to see a Doctor and he told you that you had a particularly invasive form of cancer which threatened to kill you in 6 months you might understandably see that as negative news. However if he went on to tell you that with treatment, diet and exercise you could expect a complete cure his message (in context) would be far from hopeless.

In his first interview as General (almost a year ago to the day) Shaw Clifton said in response to the following question:

Do you have a sense of where that breaking and moulding needs to happen? What strategies do you want to use?”

"It is too early to be specific, but this High Council has mandated the next General to find appropriate, loving ways of asking The Salvation Army some fairly awkward, difficult questions. We are all exercised by the Army’s inability to grow numerically in certain parts of the world. We rejoice that in many places the Army is rapidly expanding. Globally we are bigger than ever before and getting bigger. This High Council has mandated me to ask: If God is withholding numerical growth from parts of the Army, why is that blessing withheld?Rather than discussing strategy, method, ceremony or even identity, I have a deep sense in my heart that God wants us to follow the example of the Old Testament prophets when they sensed God’s blessing was withheld. The prophets went to God’s people asking: Is there sin in the camp? Now that is a very difficult and pointed question. One has to be very tender and sensitive before even raising it but perhaps God is saying, ever so gently and ever so lovingly: I love you, Salvation Army, but would you please look within and see if there is sin in the camp, and if there is anything that causes the blessing to be withheld we must deal with it.Some issues will be personal to individual Salvationists, others will be corporate. I would like to find a way as General of being a catalyst and put that biblical question to Salvationists. We may find that as we draw nearer to him, closer to him in purity and righteousness, the blessings begin to flow where at present they sometimes appear to be withheld.”

Some might see the fact that God is withholding victory and blessing back as negative but take the General’s message in context and it becomes full of hope.

Let me reinforce what I said earlier - There is ‘sin in the camp’ (see Joshua 7 if you don’t know what this means) and this sin is holding back the growth and development of The Salvation Army. This sin (as the General states is both ‘personal’ and ‘corporate’. Failure to deal with it will result in death but earnest and sincere repentance with fasting accompanied by holiness, faith and obedience (prefect love) will result in global revival – what is negative about that?

God bless the Army!

A

Revival and the need for repentnance - this is positive!

An anonymous comment on my blog has asked for something positive - how about the following from the Daddy of Revivals Finney.

WHAT IS REVIVAL?
By Charles Finney

It presupposes that the church is sunk down in a backslidden state, and a revival consists in the return of the Church from her backslidings and the conversion of sinners.

1. The foundations of sin need to be broken up. A revival always includes conviction of sin on the part of the church. Backslidden professors cannot wake up and begin right away in the service of God without deep searchings of heart. The fountains of sin need to be broken up. In a true revival, Christians are always brought under such conviction; they see their sins in such a light that often they find it impossible to maintain a hope of their acceptance with God. It does not always go to that extent, but there are always, in a genuine revival, deep convictions of sin, and often cases of abandoning all hope.

2. Revival is a new beginning of obedience with God. Just as in the case of a converted sinner, the first step is a deep repentance, a breaking down of heart, a getting down into the dust before God, with humility, and a forsaking of sin.

3. Backslidden Christians will be brought to repentance. A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God. Just as in the case of a converted sinner, the first step is a deep repentance, a breaking down of heart, a getting down into the dust before God, with deep humility, and a forsaking of sin.

4. Christians will have their faith renewed. While they are in their Backslidden state they are blind to the state of sinners. Their hearts are hard as marble. The truths of the Bible appear like a dream. They admit it to be all true; their conscience and their judgment assent to it; but their faith does not see it standing out in bold relief, in all the burning realities of eternity. But when they enter into a revival, they no longer see "men as trees, walking," but they see things in that strong light which will renew the love of God in their hearts. This will lead them to labor zealously to bring others to Him. They will feel grieved that others do not love God, when they love Him so much. And they will set themselves feelingly to persuade their neighbors to give Him their hearts. So their love to men will be renewed. They will be filled with a tender and burning love for souls. They will have a longing desire for the salvation of the whole world. They will be in an agony for individuals whom they want to have saved--their friends, relations, enemies. They will not only be urging them to give their hearts to God, but they will carry them to God in the arms of faith, and with strong crying and tears beseech God to have mercy on them, and save their souls from endless burnings.

5. A revival breaks the power of the world and of sin over Christians. It brings them to such vantage ground that they get a fresh impulse towards heaven; they have a new foretaste of heaven, and new desires after union with God; thus the charm of the world is broken, and the power of sin overcome.

6. When the Churches are thus awakened and reformed, the reformation and salvation of sinners will follow. Their hearts will be broken down and changed. Very often the most abandoned profligates are among the subjects. Harlots, and drunkards, and infidels, and all sorts of abandoned characters, are awakened and converted. The worst of human beings are softened and reclaimed, and made to appear as lovely specimens of the beauty of holiness.

7. When a revival can be expected? A revival may be expected when Christians have a spirit of prayer for a revival. That is, when they pray as if their hearts were set upon it. When Christians have the spirit of prayer for a revival. When they go about groaning out their hearts desire. When they have real travail of soul.

I think that this is very positive - my Isaiah 1 posting was not about God destroying the Army it was about the fact that God wants to revive one of his favoured Children - God wants to know if we are up for it? Are we willing to meet the conditions he has set down for revival - he wants to revive us!

Overall the responses I have recieved would seem to suggest that we are willing and that is positive.

It would appear that we really do 'want another pentecost' and it will start when we get on our knees... and on our knees is where many of us are often found - Hallelujah!

Bring it on Lord Jesus bring it on!

Yours praying for and expecting revival!

A

Two Armies?

I recently posted the Isaiah 1 prophecy on the SA International Discussion Forum and have been amazed at the reaction of some Officers.

Whilst there were some very positive comments some were extremely personal, unfounded and from a theological point of view (quite scary!)

Are we actually becoming two Armies?

One committed to pesonal holiness and winning the lost for Jesus and the other only nominally committed to these two aims?

One Officer even suggested that I should be reported to the General, TC and DC for my comments - I hope I am!

Perhaps things are worse than I ever dreamt.

Still - nothing will distract us from our goal in Christ - we remain more than conquerors.

I suppose after the name calling will come the bricks and stones for we certainly wont have revival without persecution.

Yours ready and willling
A

Isaiah 58 to 61 more prophecy for TSA

In a comment on my last blog entry Aaron White responded:

"Isaiah 58 is said to be our founding charter. It might be an appropriate re-founding charter (lots of "If...then's"). I try and pray Isaiah 58 over our local expression and the larger Army everyday, believing there is a remnant of hope."

There are no verses more heavily underscored in my NIV study bible than chapters 58-61 of Isaiah. There is no room in the margins for any further handwritten comment (even though I use a drawing pen with a 0.5mm nib!)

At UK Roots last year I became convinced more than ever that these 4 chapters are central to global revival (led by God's Army - The Salvation Army - this is not denominational pride - if I could find a denomination that had a better chance of starting global revival I'd go and join it!)

These chapters make the following points which are peculiarly relevant to TSA.

Good works is the result of proper biblical faith (not the other way round!).

Loving the unloved doesn’t make me a Christian but being a proper Christian certainly makes me love the unlovable.

Proper prayer and fasting will always be hallmarked by a practical interest in social justice – holy people oppose social evil and support its victims. For example – drinking alcohol and gambling are both social evils which enslave the poor – proper holiness aggressively attacks social evils like these whilst at the same time treating its victims. Like Jesus TSA exists to ‘destroy the works of the devil’ (Isaiah 58:6-7)

Our resources must come from God and not from the state or over controlling benefactors – certainly not from downright evil sources like freemasonry. We should not always be looking to the public to fund our work – ‘God’s work done God’s way never lacks God’s resources’. This applies to physical strength and spiritual direction as much as it applies to money. (Isaiah 58:11)

Revival will include a return to basics, although God is about to do a ‘new thing’ in our midst it will not be that different in sentiment from what he has repeatedly done in the past. As a ‘wineskin’ the Salvation Army still has room to expand it doesn’t need replacing it just needs using properly. This will not mean a return to old ways but it will mean a return to old thinking – it is the sentiment and spirit of the past that we need to rediscover not necessarily the methods – however a return to open-air and other forms of pro-active evangelism will be included. (Isaiah 58:12)

Our witness must be visible as well as verbal – lifestyle will increasingly become a key issue – simplistic living (even where possible the voluntary embracing of poverty) will be integral as will personal integrity and ‘not conforming to the standards’ and values ‘of this world’. (Isaiah 58:13)

Isaiah 59 makes it quite clear that repentance, humility and real faith are essential pre-cursors to global revival. A lack of trust (verse 15), a lack of justice (verse 14) and a lack of aggressive intervention on behalf of the poor and marginalised (verse 16) are issues we need to address in this area. However if we are faithful then the revival will start among those who serve in the western territories (verse 19) but only if we repent (verse 20).

Chapter 60 shows us the revival we are being invited to be a part of will be unequalled in church history and will impact upon nominal Christians, unbelievers and disciples of other faiths – indeed converts from other faiths will become significant players (verse 10). This revival will convert important world leaders and heads of state (verse 16) and the Salvation Army will be in the vanguard. This revival will include a return to proper Arminian doctrine (justification through faith, dependence on God, the possibility of backsliding and purity, a belief in heaven and hell etc.) Central will be the rediscovery in practice of ‘Christian perfection’ (holiness). Holiness will become the norm and not only the experience of a few hardcore devotees (verse 21).

Revival (if we meet the conditions) will happen soon and be all inclusive (verse 22)

Isaiah 61 (especially verses 1-4) remind TSA that our mandate is the same as that which Christ adopted for himself. Our parish is the world (Wesley) our cathedral is the open air (Railton) and our target remains the un-churched (Booth).

The rest of chapter 61 speaks for itself.

Let’s get on our knees, let the remnant start repenting, let’s put our armour on and get on with it.

“Through the world resounding, Let the Gospel soundingSummon all at Jesus' call, His glorious cross surrounding, Sons of God, earth's trifles leaving,be not faithless, but believing;To your conquering Captain cleaving, Forward to the fight!”

Yours set apart by Christ for the lost, in the Army.

A