Check out this blog. Long, but a must read.
http://ow.ly/1barx (Feb 22 post)
"TO MAKE DEEP CHANGE IN AN ORGANIZATION, WE BEGIN BY MAKING DEEP CHANGE IN OURSELVES!"
Slightly Irregular!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
This commentary just posted over at www.therubicon.org, for discerning readers only. A cautionary word before clicking this link: Reader Beware!
JN
Monday, February 15, 2010
Start A Revolution!
It’s time to start resurrecting a few posts from days past; those still relevant, that is. My inaugural blog for Slightly Irreverent, “Start A Revolution!” (July 07) has just been posted over at www.therubicon.org, with some modifications that bring it up to date. Its message, in essence is, “Stop bi, bi, bi, bellyaching and start a revolution!” (Sorry for the stutter there)
It should be understood clearly that, when I write, the message is always directed toward me, myself and I first and foremost. So I’m giving JN a bit of a scolding here, and if the message happens to resonate with others who might happen by, so be it. (Ben, hope I don’t confuse you too much in this particular uttering – a private aside for someone who sometimes has difficulty grasping my logic).
Anyway, hop on over there and either pray for me or resonate with me. Or both.
JN
It should be understood clearly that, when I write, the message is always directed toward me, myself and I first and foremost. So I’m giving JN a bit of a scolding here, and if the message happens to resonate with others who might happen by, so be it. (Ben, hope I don’t confuse you too much in this particular uttering – a private aside for someone who sometimes has difficulty grasping my logic).
Anyway, hop on over there and either pray for me or resonate with me. Or both.
JN
Monday, February 08, 2010
Haiti | Great Expectations!
The following is an excerpt from my book, HOPE! A Flight Manuel for Prospective Angels, meant to illustrate and accentuate my two other posts on the Haiti “mission” or “money” dilemma: www.therubicon.org and www.slightlyirreverent.blogspot.com (Feb 1).
“…because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7 (NLB).
Matthew Henry, in his commentary on this verse, says, “He will give them, not the expectations of their fears, nor the expectations of their fancies, but the expectations of their faith, the end which he has promised and which will turn for the best to them.”
This interpretation, “not the expectation of their fancies, but the expectation of their faith,” resonates with me. The most “prosperous” woman I know did not prosper in a material way, nor did she gain any position of prominence. And she did not realize fully the “expectations of her faith” until well into her retirement years.
Leah Davids lived and worked sacrificially, under extremely difficult circumstances, for many years in Haiti. I don’t know whether she went there against her will. I do know many Christians who have been compelled by the Holy Spirit—against their personal desire—to live and work in other such modern–day Babylons. The circumstances of their calling bring to mind the words of an old song: “He doesn’t compel you to go against your will, He just makes you willing to go.”
We were in Haiti recently for a weekend of anniversary meetings. Leah had also been invited to participate in the celebration. During one of the meetings, a bright–looking, very handsome young man asked her to join him on the platform, and he sang to Leah a song that had been especially written for her. When he concluded, the audience burst into thunderous and prolonged applause because they knew the story behind the song.
As a young woman, Leah had gone to a small Haitian village to gather the children who were designated to live in the children’s home she administered. While in the village, she saw a set of tiny, sickly, extremely emaciated infant twins (a boy and a girl). They were not on her list, but Leah said, “I will take these two as well.” The village authorities protested, saying, “Don’t bother with them because they will not live much longer. They are not worth the trouble.” But Leah insisted, and under her loving, patient care, the two children miraculously survived. The boy grew and developed into a very talented musician and composer. “Thank You For My Life” was the title of the song he dedicated to Leah on that memorable day. And when he sang to her, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
The prosperity that came to both of them cannot be measured in human terms. God didn’t honor the expectation of their fancies; He honored the expectation of their faith.
And in Haiti, He will not honor the expectation of our fancies; He will honor the expectation of our faith. And God’s Kingdom will continue to prosper through the faithful ministry of The Salvation Army. May it ever be so!
JN
“…because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7 (NLB).
Matthew Henry, in his commentary on this verse, says, “He will give them, not the expectations of their fears, nor the expectations of their fancies, but the expectations of their faith, the end which he has promised and which will turn for the best to them.”
This interpretation, “not the expectation of their fancies, but the expectation of their faith,” resonates with me. The most “prosperous” woman I know did not prosper in a material way, nor did she gain any position of prominence. And she did not realize fully the “expectations of her faith” until well into her retirement years.
Leah Davids lived and worked sacrificially, under extremely difficult circumstances, for many years in Haiti. I don’t know whether she went there against her will. I do know many Christians who have been compelled by the Holy Spirit—against their personal desire—to live and work in other such modern–day Babylons. The circumstances of their calling bring to mind the words of an old song: “He doesn’t compel you to go against your will, He just makes you willing to go.”
We were in Haiti recently for a weekend of anniversary meetings. Leah had also been invited to participate in the celebration. During one of the meetings, a bright–looking, very handsome young man asked her to join him on the platform, and he sang to Leah a song that had been especially written for her. When he concluded, the audience burst into thunderous and prolonged applause because they knew the story behind the song.
As a young woman, Leah had gone to a small Haitian village to gather the children who were designated to live in the children’s home she administered. While in the village, she saw a set of tiny, sickly, extremely emaciated infant twins (a boy and a girl). They were not on her list, but Leah said, “I will take these two as well.” The village authorities protested, saying, “Don’t bother with them because they will not live much longer. They are not worth the trouble.” But Leah insisted, and under her loving, patient care, the two children miraculously survived. The boy grew and developed into a very talented musician and composer. “Thank You For My Life” was the title of the song he dedicated to Leah on that memorable day. And when he sang to her, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
The prosperity that came to both of them cannot be measured in human terms. God didn’t honor the expectation of their fancies; He honored the expectation of their faith.
And in Haiti, He will not honor the expectation of our fancies; He will honor the expectation of our faith. And God’s Kingdom will continue to prosper through the faithful ministry of The Salvation Army. May it ever be so!
JN
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Love/Hate Relationship!
It is no secret that I have a love/hate relationship with uniform wearing, which in its present form is primitive Salvationism at best and smacking of institutionalism at worst. I’ve posted my thoughts on it over at www.slightlyirreverent.blogspot.com, because most readers will feel strongly that these thoughts belong under this heading.
JN
JN
Friday, February 05, 2010
Battling Together!
Have you dropped into the Former Salvation Army Officer Fellowship blog site yet…or recently (www.fsaof.blogspot.com)? When you pop on over there, to the right (scroll down a bit) is a message from me as to why you should follow it. The present series, “Your Battle is our Battle,” is a must read, especially for those in personnel decision-making positions.
Also a post from me, January 27, “I Had A Dream!”
JN
Also a post from me, January 27, “I Had A Dream!”
JN
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Answering Haiti's Call!
Obama on faith-based stance with regard to religious charities: damned if you do, damned if you don’t!
“Valley church answers Haiti’s call.” In reference to my two posts on this subject: “Show Us the Mission!” www.therubicon.org and "God Knows Where?” www.slightlyirreverent.blogspot.com, here is a congregation that gets it. An offering totaling $10,000 was taken and given to TSA, not the Red Cross, and the story on front page of the Valley Section.
Facebook readers go to www.joenoland.blogspot.com for links to the above.
JN
“Valley church answers Haiti’s call.” In reference to my two posts on this subject: “Show Us the Mission!” www.therubicon.org and "God Knows Where?” www.slightlyirreverent.blogspot.com, here is a congregation that gets it. An offering totaling $10,000 was taken and given to TSA, not the Red Cross, and the story on front page of the Valley Section.
Facebook readers go to www.joenoland.blogspot.com for links to the above.
JN
Monday, February 01, 2010
God Knows Where!
The blog referred to below is now posted over at www.therubicon.org (Show Us The Mission). I also felt compelled to write a tongue-in-cheek, follow up to it, now posted over at www.slightlyirreverent.blogspot.com, suggesting that only God knows where those $billions are going in Haiti. Jump on over there and read it you dare.
JN
JN
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