Someone Cares!

Did you know that Starbucks spends more on healthcare for its employees than it does for coffee beans? The welfare and morale of its employee-partners comes first. If every business were so inclined, there would be minimal need for government intervention.

And there’s a message in there, spiritually – “spiritual care” – I’ll let you make the transition. And not just for the "down-and-out," but for the "in-and-out" as well.

Someone Cares (SASB 238)

Do you sometimes feel that no-one truly knows you?
And that no-one understands or really cares?
Through His people God himself is close beside you,
And through them He plans to answer all your prayers.

Someone cares, someone cares,
Someone knows your deepest need, your burden shares,
Someone cares, someone cares,
God Himself will hear the whisper of your prayers.

Ours is not a distant God, remote unfeeling
Who is careless of our loneliness and pain
Through the ministry of men, He gives His healing
In their dedicated hands, brings hope again.

This is one of my favorite songs, hopefully to be left in a revision of the Song Book. My take on this will come over at therubicon.org, in answer to one of the five questions Commissioner Jim Knaggs was going to ask on TCSpeak – islavos.net, but didn’t get to because of time: What is one song that you would like to see added to the new Song Book? The answer might surprise you. Check out the interview over there for an answer to the questions that were asked.

“Through His People…” “Through the ministry of men…” “In their dedicated hands…” “Someone Cares.” I wonder, “Has officership become a profession instead of a passion? Has Soldiership become an avocation instead of a passion? “Love Takes Courage!” More on this (digging deeper) right here in weeks to come.

JN

No Boundaries | Blame Jesus!

This post just up over at www.therubicon.org. It follows a videoconference interview with Commissioner Jim Knaggs, up over at www.isalvos.net. Read it to find out who else gets blamed.

JN

We've Only Just Begun!

The chorus of one of my favorite songs made popular in the 1960’s (my heyday era) goes like this:

Those were the days my friend
We'd thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance
Forever and the day

We'd live the life we'd choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young
And sure to have our way

La La La La La… (Keep going)
Those were the days my friend, those were the days.

Brings to mind a humorous story, which I have paraphrased a bit, except for the clean-shaven part:

Joe, a new retiree greeter at Walmart, just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, really tidy, clean-shaven, sharp-minded and a real credit to the company and obviously demonstrating their "Older Person Friendly" policies.

One day the boss called him into the office for a talk: "Joe, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic. You do a bang-up job, but being late so often is quite bothersome."

"Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it."

"Well good, you are a team player. That's what I like to hear. It's odd though you're coming in late. I know you're retired from The Salvation Army. What did they say if you came in late there?"

"They said, 'Good morning, Commissioner, can I get you coffee, sir?'"

Ah yes, those were the days! Actually, this story/song have inspired a series of writings titled, “We’ve Only Just Begun,” the title of another song made popular by The Carpenters (1970), two of its verses saying:

Before the rising sun we fly,
So many roads to choose
We start our walking and learn to run.
And yes, We've just begun.

And when the evening comes we smile,
So much of life ahead
We'll find a place where there's room to grow,
And yes, We've just begun.

“Those were the days” are gone. “Life ahead” and “roads to choose” is what really matters. I look forward with great anticipation to each “rising sun,” and Doris’ daily greeting: “Good morning, Commissioner, can I get you coffee, sir?”

“I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back” (Philippians 3:12-14 TM).

Hope to have that series up and running either here or over at The Rubicon shortly. Stay tuned.

JN

isalvos.com

This innovative cyberspace corps was launched in the Australia Southern Territory – a cutting edge ministry. I attended, as a member of their congregation, yesterday. General Paul Rader (Ret) was the featured guest speaker/interviewee. When asked about some of his hero’s, he mentioned Commissioner Andrew Miller, among others. Interestingly enough, Paul Rader is one of my hero’s. He was also asked to speak of some innovative ministries occurring around the Army world. You’ll want to tune in and hear what he has to say on this and some other timely and interesting subjects – it is recorded and still available - www.isalvos.com.

Oh by the way, I will be the guest interviewee next Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. Australian time or 12:00 noon, Monday, Hawaiian time. Check the world clock on your iphone for the time where you are. If it’s in the middle of the night or when you are in a corps council, board meeting or out surfing, it can still be viewed when/where convenient. This is creative, innovative stuff! It’s miraculous in many ways. Spread the word.

JN

The Upper Room!

“The Upper Room” is a Salvation Army sponsored island-wide ministry (Oahu, Hawaii) catering to the needs of this emerging generation. They meet for worship and fellowship on Sunday evenings at the Kauluwela Corps (Contemporary style). Following this time, they venture into Chinatown (nearby) where there is a large population of homeless people living on the streets and in the parks, many of them victims of substance abuse.

The Upper Room crew prepares sandwiches, ea al, during their fellowship time. After distributing the food, they minister in various ways, unthreatening and kindly, slowly making friendships and developing trust – 21st Century style open-air meeting. The result has been God-honoring, with a “recovering segment” now integral to “The Upper Room” experience.

Become a fan of “The Upper Room” over on Facebook. Their leader, Rob Noland, posted the following testimonial there recently: “Johnny Duckworth shared a powerful testimony last night! He went from playing for the Cincinnati Bengals to sleeping on the streets in China Town. Now he is clean, sober, and living for Jesus! God is good!

JN

Preach it Brother!

This in response to Gordon Cotterill’s post over at The Rubicon (www.therubicon.org/), “Deeper Shade of Grey.” Following is the comment I left. Check it out.

“Preach it brother!” It’s the theme of my latest book, “Out of the Rubble… Revolution!” an allegory, which can be accessed in its unedited form over at: http://www.joenoland.com/ - click on “Revolution’s Cadence.” Hope to have it published in book form soon - a message for the ages. Thanks, Gordon, for the reminder - a message especially for this generation.

JN

The Sky is Falling!

I’ve preached and written about the following subject (so ably restated once again in Andrew Clark’s post) so much so that I’ve been compared to Chicken Little of Aesop’s Fable fame. Let me say it once again, loud and emphatically, “THE SKY IS FALLING!”

Read Andrew and Wall’s take on it here: http://armyrenewal.blogspot.com/2010/03/phil-wall-on-officership-1998.html

JN

Dead or Alive?

“…let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:18)

Let me paraphrase this to read, “Let us not live out our holiness with word or tongue, but in deed and truth.” I touch on this with a new post over at TheRubicon: “The Holiness Movement: Dead or Alive? www.therubicon.org.

JN

Live Like You Were Dying | Love Deeper

Attended a church up the street today where we drop in periodically – 10,000 members, 8 services on Sunday morning: 1) Traditions – “Enjoy a lower-volume worship experience with a mix of classic hymns, old favorites, and cherished choruses” – 8 AM (Worship Center). 2) Classic – “A full sounding band led by vocals and horns featuring high-energy worship songs that will engage the hearts of all ages” – 9:15 AM (Worship Center). 3, 4, 5) Video Café – Guitar-driven, rock-style worship in a setting that you can FEEL!” – Saturdays at 5 PM, Sundays at 9:15 AM (Room 200) 11 AM (Worship Center). 6,7,8) Spanish – “Experimente un servicio diferente con estilo de alabanza y adoracion contemporaneo y clasico” – Sabados 5 PM, Domingos 9:15 AM y 11 AM (Salon 211-213). Take your pick. They also have a recovery service on Friday evenings and a youth service on Sunday evenings, 10 in all.

I like their use of the term “Worship Center” for the auditorium sanctuary that seats about 3000. It is a mixture of tables, chairs and auditorium seating on levels, with a stage that has all the trimmings. They also have outside seating on the patio lanais with large screen monitors. Coffee, donuts and muffins are available, take them in, munch and sip to the beat of the music and message. Shorts and slippers welcomed.

The theme this month is, “Live Like You Were Dying,” today’s message, “Love Deeper.” As you move from the parking lot to the Worship Center, planted in the grass on the way are signs outlining the series themes: “Speak Sweeter,” “Give Forgiveness,” “Love Deeper,” “Embrace Eternity” and “Live Like You Were Dying.” Those themes are also artfully decorating the platform.

The pastor is Bob Thune, nothing flashy, but he exudes genuineness, his teaching simple, practical and engaging. Prior to his message, a guitar soloist and three backup singers (in the Traditions service) sing and lead with some of the old hymns and favorites. Following are the lyrics to one of the songs they sang, written and made popular by Tim McGraw.

Verse 1
He said I was in my early forties, with a lot of life before me
And one moment came that stopped me on a dime
I spent most of the next days, looking at the x-rays
Talking bout' the options and talking bout' sweet times.
I asked him when it sank in, that this might really be the real end
How's it hit 'cha when you get that kind of news?
Man what did ya do?
He said

Chorus
I went skydiving
I went rocky mountain climbing
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denyin'
And he said some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

Verse 2
He said I was finally the husband, that most the time I wasn't
And I became a friend, a friend would like to have
And all of a sudden goin' fishin, wasn't such an imposition
And I went three times that year I lost my dad
Well I finally read the good book, and I took a good long hard look
At what I'd do if I could do it all again
And then

Chorus
I went skydiving
I went rocky mountain climbing
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Shu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denyin'
And he said some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

Bridge
Like tomorrow was the end
And ya got eternity to think about what to do with it
What should you do with it
What can I do with it
What would I do with it

Skydiving
I went rocky mountain climbing
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And man I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I watched an eagle as it was flyin'
And he said some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

To live like you were dyin' (4x)

Creative, innovative, the message themes inspired by this song. Sounds like a series on holiness, doesn’t it? Makes me want to get up and go to church on Sunday mornings. Oh yes, I wore my uniform (pictured above) and fit right in. At this church it’s not what’s on the outside, but what’s in the heart that counts – loving deeper, speaking sweeter, giving forgiveness, living like your were dying, and every once in awhile riding a bull named Fu Man Shu.

JN

Visionary Leaders!

For those of you curious about the newly appointed territorial leaders in USA West, Commissioners Jim and Carolyn Knaggs, whom we know well and respect enormously, check out the following to learn more about them and begin making their acquaintance:

www.isalvos.com is an innovation inspired under their forward thinking, visionary leadership: an online virtual Salvation Army Corps, the first of its kind. Check the videos on the left of that site, “TC Speak,” for an up close and personal look at their leadership style.

http://tcspeak.com/blog/ is the TC’s blog. To my knowledge, he is the only leader using this resource as a means of constant, open, two-way communication with his constituency. You’ve heard the phrase, “Open-door policy?” This takes it to a whole new stratospheric level: “Open-cyberspace” policy. Leave a comment welcoming them to the territory.

http://twitter.com/jimknaggs Follow them on Twitter, and if you’re a Twitterer, invite them to follow you. The TC has 44,087 followers, imagine that! – A virtual visitation program. Twitter them a positive expectation in the West that they can look forward too.

ONE DAY: A Dream for the Salvation Army Australian Southern Territory. Melbourne: SALVO Publishing. – Their vision for that territory.

HALLMARKS of The Salvation Army – A tribute to General Eva Burrows (Ret). Melbourne: SALVO Publishing. Commissioner Knaggs, with his “Introduction” appearing at the beginning, commissioned this book. Every officer in the West has received a copy, yours truly contributing a chapter on “Innovation.” Pull it out and give a read, if you haven’t already. And then share it with those around you.

And send these links to others within your circle of influence so they too can become acquainted likewise. The Knaggs come with our highest commendation.

By the way, for you retireds reading this, Doris and I had already invited them to be our special guests at the SAWROA Conference next year (2011), along with Carol Jaudes (of Broadway CATS fame), who just happens to be the mother of their daughter-in-law. All of this occurring before their appointments were known. When inviting them, it never entered our mind that they might take leadership of this territory. Save the date; it will be a weekend you won’t want to miss, filled with unique, creative programming and surprises galore!

JN