about the recent unpleasantness

http://www.balticsww.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45&sid=12a4b7612b13af5cb21c516c09ab33bb

one death is one too many -- "a voice is heard in" Tallinn

Dmitriy Ganin, 20

MT 2:18 "A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more."

I cannot stop thinking about this boy-man's mother. He was stabbed in the riots, and died in the hospital.

Rev. 7 & the SA in 10 years

Steve Court writes:
"I haven't seen any comment on the blogosphere about Commissioner Clifton's Revelation 7 prediction (prophecy?) of The Salvation Army in ten years. It is staggering. Your thoughts?"

He's referring to an earlier post on the ArmyBarmy blog:
"a shocker from Commissioner Clifton, recounting a conversation with a person asking her how she sees The Salvation Army looking in ten years... Her response: "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb" (you'll know this from Rev 7:9). A stunning, prophetic response - bloggers, gear up your comments..."

Well, this was part of my message yesterday, as we've been having ethnic riots here in Tallinn between Estonians and Russians. :-( So my emphasis was on "EVERY tribe, people, language"! But as far as a prophecy that we'll all be in heaven within the next ten years, my only response is from the words of Jesus.

MK 13:32 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come."

And of course:
REV 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
REV 22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.

Evelyn

:-(

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/04/28/estonia.riots.reut/index.html

pray for our comrades in St. Petersburg!

http://alumni.asbury.edu/

Tidmans Receive Salvation Army posting to russia
Submitted by vtidman on Sat, 2007-04-07 23:54.
Today Ellen and I received the final word that The Salvation Army has selected us to be missionaries in the Eastern Europe Territory. This territory includes Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Romania, Moldova and a few other countries that I am unable to spell. We have committed to a renewable three year term and to start have been assigned as the Area Coordinators for Russia North, stationed in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
It is a huge assignment with a service area covering six million people, four corps and a service center. Ellen and I will also be the Corps Officers at the Saint Petersburg Corps. We leave from Atlanta on June 25th for our new appointment. We find ourselves dealing with the whole range of emotion, from excitement to humility to fear and back again. We know that whom God calls he equips. We also know that once again He has a lot of work ahead in our case. We covet your prayers.

Tallinn suffered its worst night of violence in recent memory

http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/17769/

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(from Romans 12)

God save and protect us (I think this is a motto of the Russian Orthodox Church)

http://www.postimees.ee/galerii/index.php?picture=18697

A picture is worth a thousand words...even if you do not know the language.

I invite everyone to exercise level-headed and rational thinking

President Ilves: I invite everyone to exercise level-headed and rational
thinking
27.04.2007


President Toomas Hendrik Ilves made a statement today on Estonian Television
and Estonian Radio concerning the provocations in Tallinn on the night of
April 26 and early morning of April 27.


Dear fellow countrymen!

What we witnessed in Tallinn last night was looting, uproar, plundering. It
was a crime, and those who took part in it are criminals.

All this had nothing to do with the inviolability of graves or keeping alive
the memory of men fallen in World War II.

The common denominator of last night’s criminals was not their nationality
but their desire to riot, vandalise and plunder.

My apologies to those who doubted last night whether our state would be able
to defend them against the rioters.

The state cannot have doubts or hesitate when public order and security must
be restored. Public order in Estonia must hold good. Without it, Estonia is
not a state.

Do not look for accusations in my words. They are spoken as encouragement to
our government to act firmly in defending our common security.

The looters shall be caught, their guilt proven, they shall be punished fast
and with due severity. The mills of the rule of law grind inescapably.

I thank all the policemen who were at work in Tallinn last night. One of
them, a policewoman who tried to hinder the looting of a kiosk, is presently
in hospital with a fracture.

I hope for the support and understanding of all parents and teachers, for
their readiness to explain, both home and at school, that participation in
brutal violations of public order will leave a stain on the whole future of
young people. At least for those who want to live in Europe.

I invite everyone to refrain from arousing, provoking or confusing opinions
or appeals. Estonia has no need for taunting comments that instigate
hostility, or gloating declarations looking for political profit.

I invite everyone to exercise level-headed and rational thinking.


Office of the President
Public Relations Department

from an e-mail I received :-(

After last night's actions by mainly drunken youth, who after being
dispursed from the Bronze Soldier area proceeded to break windows of
residences and buisiness in the downtown and Old Town areas (99 places were
counted as of 5:30 am). Cars were damaged, some overturned. Stores were
pillaged. People were beat up (one vandal was stabbed to death, after
stabbing others), at least one Estonian was beat up for speaking Estonian.
Aprroximately 1000 people gathered by the Bronze soldier, after being
dispursed by the police after some were aggressive against the police
(throwing rocks etc), approximately 500 people used the situation as an
excuse to vandalize and steal property in the downtown area.

Nearly 300 people have been arrested. Identification of criminals (in my
opinion these are not protestors but criminals - how does stealing goods
from stores count as a protest?) will continue via footage from security
cameras and other video footage.

The Bronze Soldier memorial was moved to the War Cemetery during the night.
Alcohol sales will be banned in Tallinn from 2 pm on. This ban will be in
effect until May 2.

As you can well imagine, most Estonians are in shock as to what has
happened, we are not violent protestor types as you know from our history,
but these events will most probably make most Estonians in Tallinn want to
protect their rights and their language. Hopefully they won't try to do it
while under the influence of alcohol.

(based on news reports and info from a friend in the police)

Pray for the peace of Tallinn!

http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3084108

appeal of abstinence

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/local/070426ellis.html

the Bronze Soldier

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/26/europe/EU-GEN-Estonia-War-Memorial.php

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1296604.php/Excavations_begin_at_controversial_Red_Army_memorial_in_Estonia

Tim writes:

I have also been worried about this situation for quite a while and have been following the news on the Internet. Yesterday I had to drive around Kesklinn several times, and each time saw groups of police officers everywhere I went. There was definitely a feeling of tension. But I think that God will use people whose hearts are tender to the situation to bring about positive change. I think that if we do not allow fear to overwhelm us, He will do great things.

Yesterday, at the pastors' prayer time, we were discussing the situation. We decided to have an ecumenical prayer time this Sunday at the Pentecostal Church at 19:00. This will be a time for all Christians to unite and pray that God's will will be done in this situation.

You know our love for Estonia, and so this situation breaks our hearts. But we pray that God's love will shine through even in this difficult situation.

Salvationist

http://thewatermelonqueen.blogspot.com/2007/04/tln-pa-d.html

pray for peace

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/26/europe/EU-GEN-Estonia-War-Memorial.php

worth the wait -- secondary virginity

http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2002/005/9.82.html

"verses such as 1 Corinthians 6:18-20—which tell us to flee from sexual immorality and encourage us to honor God with our body—made me ashamed of my past sexual experiences. I decided to accept God's forgiveness and to remain abstinent from then on."

Quadrilateral

The Wesleyan Quadrilateral
Wesley’s reliance upon other than pure Scripture for religious authority and theological truth is so significant that Professor Outler suggests there are four sources of truth which feature prominently in Wesleyan thought, what Outler and other commentators on Wesley call the “Wesleyan Quadrilateral”—a four–sided appeal to truth from Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience.7
Wesley appealed to the early Church and to Christian tradition at large as complementing witnesses to the meaning of specific passages of Scripture. Critical reason and the Christian experience of assurance would then be applied to Scripture and tradition in order to arrive at truth. Outler concludes that “we can see a distinctive theological method, with Scripture as its pre–eminent norm but interfaced with tradition, reason and Christian experience as dynamic and interactive aids in the interpretation of the word of God in Scripture.”8
What Wesley therefore appears to mean by referring to himself as “a man of one book” and stating that the written word of God is the “only and sufficient rule of Christian faith and practice” is that, while other writings and other ways may be helpful in leading to truth, Scripture alone is ultimately authoritative. An understanding of truth from that one book should take precedence over all other paths to knowledge.

Wesley's Quadrilateral and You
Salvationists are Wesleyan Arminianists, which means we follow the teachings of John Wesley and Jacobus Arminius....
John Wesley did not ever use the word "Quadrilateral," but in reading his many writings, it is obvious that he believed in a four-fold method of knowing God. Followers have coined the term since. Basically, we believe there are four facets that must be used together to help us know God (and spiritual matters). While each facet in and of itself is good, none should be used without the others if we expect to get a complete and balanced picture of who God is and how he chooses to make himself know to his creation. Understandably, Scripture is the foundation of all the others, but even as important as it is, we still need the other three to keep from developing a one-dimensional or lopsided picture of God.
Scripture: "We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God and that they only constitute the divine rule of Christian faith and practice" (TSA doctrine #1). God inspired the Scriptures. That in itself is reason enough for The Bible to hold the weight it does. Within its pages can be found all true doctrine of the Church, the true image of God, the way to salvation and how to live as a Christian. Everything we believe and experience should have its foundation in God's Word to humankind.
Reason: God's ways are certainly FAR above our ways, but once Holy Spirit is in your life (once you are saved), it is possible, through Spirit-inspired reason, to make sense of those ways. I don't recommend non-Christians trying to understand God's ways, because The Enemy is more in control of their understanding than they think! But with a redeemed mind, we can see truth more clearly and spiritual matters begin to make sense!
Tradition: Here, we are not referring to the traditions of any particular denomination (such as brass bands, penitent forms, "the way we have come to do things," et al), rather the tradition of the early Church; things that were established as foundational from the beginning. For example- when people begin talking about hell not existing (which in some circles is rearing its ugly head again in TSA), we need only look to what the tradition of the Church is on the subject. From the beginning of the Christian Church the doctrine of hell has been foundational. Tradition keeps us from going astray on the path of Christian faith and practice.
Experience: I find this facet one of the most interesting- certainly the most controversial with those who are afraid of the Charismatic. It is true that some branches of the Pentecostal church put way too much emphasis on this one. But again, we must not throw the baby out with the bath water because there are those who over emphasize any particular facet of our quadrilateral. In fact, I believe our doctrine flows out of our experience (not the other way around as is often taught). For instance: If one does not believe in the gift of speaking in tongues, an experience of speaking in tongues will certainly make one at least re-evaluate their beliefs! God has allowed me to have a wide variety of experiences. I started out in one place, but with each new experience with God I have grown tremendously! As one with a gift of teaching, I have found that actually going through an experience helps me teach it more clearly to others.

from the UK TC

Is there any reason why you cannot become a Salvation Army soldier?

Officers and soldiers, remember it is God’s corps before it is your corps!

Present-day soldiers have a responsibility to be positive role models, especially to our young people.

when we engage in God’s work, he produces reliable soldiers.

Soldiership is more than nominal membership, or attendance, or a name on a roll.

Every soldier needs to commit to living out the demands and privileges of the soldier’s covenant and to encouraging those who could become soldiers to discover this for themselves.

from
http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-issue/891957DEE8CF816B802572C200511910?opendocument&id=09D092BF41D584C4802572C0002D276A

Ask Him!

When is the last time you asked the Holy Spirit what he is saying or doing? We need to have a lifesyle that asks that question.

http://armyrenewal.blogspot.com/2007/04/ask-him.html

from our comrades in Russia

http://www1.salvationarmy.org/eec/www_eec.nsf

William Booth said, "Do something!"

Albert Einstein:

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."

Pensioners' Club on ETV tomorrow afternoon!

15:00
Prillitoos
Sellest, kuidas saab eakas inimene end kaitsta halva kohtlemise eest hooldekodus ja millised on lähedaste kohustused, kõneleb Merle Haruoja Inimõiguste Instituudist. Tallinnas, Päästearmee Kopli korpuses käib igal kolmapäeval koos pensionäride klubi. Paikusel tegutseb Pärnumaa parimaks valitud naisansambel `Lustilik`. Ravimtaimemängu vastus ja õnnesoovid. Toimetaja-saatejuht Hille Tarto, režissöör-produtsent Ruti Murusalu.

Holiness Movement

http://mb-soft.com/believe/text/holiness.htm

from Aaron at the ArmyBarmy blog

Psalm 112
PS 112:1 Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.
PS 112:2 His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
PS 112:3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
PS 112:4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
PS 112:5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
PS 112:6 Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.
PS 112:7 He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
PS 112:8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
PS 112:9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor.
PS 112:10 The wicked man will see and be vexed,
he will gnash his teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

beautiful poetry

Psalm 32
Of David. A maskil.
PS 32:1 Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
PS 32:2 Blessed is the man
whose sin the LORD does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
PS 32:3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
PS 32:4 For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
Selah
PS 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD"--
and you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
Selah
PS 32:6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.
PS 32:7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Selah

Freemasonry

"The Army's position for many years has been that officers are not at liberty to belong to any secret society, including the Freemasons. Soldiers should be actively discouraged from involvement. The pseudo-religious practices within Freemasonry render it an obstacle to true Christian spirituality. - Editor"
http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-issue/516F16CED95C5B0D802572960032DB65?opendocument&id=CFAB9C4FF17F6C0D802572950051756C

Remembrance

http://crankyprof.blogspot.com/2007/04/april-15-22-yom-hashoah-holocaust.html

http://www.paperclipcampaign.com/

This Sunday morning at the corps, we will be lighting six candles to represent the six million victims of the Holocaust.

asking especially for prayer right now

"Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?" (2 Corinthians 11:28-29a)

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)

I'm carrying a burden today, feeling honored and humbled to have it shared with me, but also quite overwhelmed by the weight of it.

God knows all about it. But would you please pray that I would have strength and wisdom and discernment and sensitivity and good judgment and compassion and the ability to comfort?

Thanks, friends.

Evelyn

a song Col. Berry quoted often in Training!

SASB #566

1.Day by day the manna fell;
O to learn this lesson well
Still, by constant mercy fed,
Give me, Lord, my daily bread.

2.Day by day, the promise reads,
Daily strength for daily needs;
Cast foreboding fears away,
Take the manna of today.

3.Lord, my times are in thy hand;
All my sanguine hopes have planned
To thy wisdom I resign,
And would make thy purpose mine.

4.Thou my daily task shalt give,
Day by day to thee I live;
So shall added years fulfil
Not my own, my Father's will.

5.O to live exempt from care
By the energy of prayer;
Strong in faith, with mind subdued,
Yet elate with gratitude!

Josiah Conder (1789-1855)

Holokausti 70 aastapäevale pühendatud konsert

I went to a concert yesterday with Svetlana. Her native lanuguage is Russian, and of course mine is English, and we talk to each other in Estonian! :-) (She knows no English; I know no Russian.)

We were thrilled that this event was conducted in both of our mother tongues! It was very long but very good.

http://iisrael.ee/kuum.php3?id=100081

It was supposed to take place in the new synagogue, but the construction isn't finished yet. From what I've read online, it is a full year behind schedule! This doesn't surprise me at all; this is always the story with builders here.

So the concert was held at the school next door to what will be the new synagogue.

http://www.jkool.tln.edu.ee/

Evelyn

P.S.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/state/070416holocaust.html

"it is the privilege of all believes to be wholly sanctified"

JN 17:13 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

RO 15:14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

1CO 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours:
1CO 1:3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1CO 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1TH 4:3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

1TH 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

New Brunswick, NJ, Captains Gerardo and Monica Balmori

These guys were a year ahead of us in Training. We always knew that God would do great things through them! They are stationed at the corps where our brigade did field training, and we're so happy to see what they are doing there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQLCtbskis4

Evelyn

William Booth said, "There is only one God and John Wesley is His prophet!"

Gotta love John Wesley!

This is from http://wesley.nnu.edu/john_wesley/letters/1749b.htm

To a Roman Catholic
DUBLIN July 18, 1749.
1. You have heard ten thousand stories of us who are commonly called Protestants, of which, if you believe only one in a thousand, you must think very hardly of us. But this is quite contrary to our Lords rule, 'Judge not, that ye be not judged'; and has many ill consequences, particularly this -- it inclines us to think as hardly of you. Hence we are on both sides less willing to help one another, and more ready to hurt each other. Hence brotherly love is utterly destroyed; and each side, looking on the other as monsters, gives way to anger, hatred, malice, to every unkind affection, which have frequently broke out in such inhuman barbarities as are scarce named among the heathens.
2. Now, can nothing be done, even allowing us on both sides to retain our own opinions, for the softening our hearts towards each other, the giving a check to this flood of unkindness, and restoring at least some small degree of love among our neighbors and countrymen? Do not you wish for this? Are you not fully convinced that malice, hatred, revenge, bitterness, whether in us or in you, in our hearts or yours, are an abomination to the Lord? Be our opinions right, or be they wrong these tempers are undeniably wrong. They are the broad road that leads to destruction, to the nethermost hell.
3. I do not suppose all the bitterness is on your ride. I know there is too much on our side also -- so much, that I fear many Protestants (so called) will be angry at me too for writing to you in this manner, and will say, ' It is showing you too much favor; you deserve no such treatment at our hands.'
4. But I think you do. I think you deserve the tenderest regard I can show, were it only because the same God hath raised you and me from the dust of the earth, and has made us both capable of loving and enjoying Him to eternity; were ~ only because the Son of God has bought you and me with His own blood. How much more, if you are a person fearing God (as without question many of you are) and studying to have a conscience void of offence towards God and towards man!
5. I shall therefore endeavor, as mildly and inoffensively as I can, to remove in some measure the ground of your unkindness, by plainly declaring what our belief and what our practice is; that you may see we are not altogether such monsters as perhaps you imagined us to be.
A true Protestant may express his belief in these or the like words:--
6. As I am assured that there is an infinite and independent Being, and that it is impossible there should be more than one; so I believe that this one God is the Father of all things, especially of angels and men; that He is in a peculiar manner the Father of those whom He regenerates by His Spirit, whom He adopts in His Son as co-heirs with Him, and crowns with an eternal inheritance; but in a still higher sense the Father of His only Son, whom He hath begotten from eternity.
I believe this Father of all, not only to be able to do whatsoever pleaseth Him, but also to have an eternal right of making what and when and how He pleaseth, and of possess­ing and disposing of all that He has made; and that He of His own goodness created heaven and earth and all that is therein.
7. I believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Savior of the world, the Messiah so long foretold; that, being anointed with the Holy Ghost, He was a Prophet, revealing to us the whole will of God; that He was a Priest who gave Himself a sacrifice for sin, and still makes intercession for transgressors; that He is a King, who has all power in heaven and in earth, and will reign till He has subdued all things to Himself.
I believe He is the propel natural Son of God, God of God, very God of very God; and that He is the Lord of all, having absolute supreme universal dominion over all things; but more peculiarly our Lord, who believe in Him, both by conquest, purchase, and voluntary obligation.
I believe that He was made man, joining the human nature with the divine in one person; being conceived by the singular operation of the Holy Ghost, and born of the blessed Virgin Mary, who, as well after as before she brought Him forth, continued a pure and unspotted virgin.
I believe He suffered inexpressible pains both of body and soul, and at last death, even the death of the cross, at the time that Pontius Pilate governed Judaea under the Roman Emperor; that His body was then laid in the grave, and His soul went to the place of separate spirits; that the third day He rose again from the dead; that He ascended into heaven; where He remains in the midst of the throne of God, in the highest power and glory, as Mediator till the end of the world, as God to all eternity; that in the end He will come down from heaven to judge every man according to his works, both those who shall be then alive and all who have died before that day.
8. I believe the infinite and eternal Spirit of God, equal with the Father and the Son, to be not only perfectly holy in Himself, but the immediate cause of all holiness in us; enlightening our understandings, rectifying our wills and affections, renewing our natures, uniting our persons to Christ, assuring us of the adoption of sons, leading us in our actions, purifying and sanctifying our souls and bodies, to a full and eternal enjoyment of God.
9. I believe that Christ by His Apostles gathered unto Himself a Church, to which He has continually added such as shall be saved; that this catholic (that is, universal) Church, extending to all nations and all ages, is holy in all its members, who have fellowship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; that they have fellowship with the holy angels, who constantly minister to these heirs of salvation; and with all the living members of Christ on earth, as well as all who are departed in His faith and fear.
10. I believe God forgives all the sins of them that truly repent and unfeignedly believe His holy gospel; and that at the last day all men shall rise again, every one with his own body.
I believe that, as the unjust shall after their resurrection be tormented in hell for ever, so the just shall enjoy inconceivable happiness in the presence of God to all eternity.
11. Now, is there anything wrong in this? Is there any one point which you do not believe as wall as we?
But you think we ought to believe more. We will not now enter into the dispute. Only let me ask, If a man sincerely believes thus much, and practices accordingly, can any one possibly persuade you to think that such a man shall perish everlastingly?
12. 'But does he practice accordingly?' If he does not, we grant all his faith will not save him. And this leads me to show you in few and plain words what the practice of a true Protestant is.
I say, a true Protestant: for I disclaim all common swearers, Sabbath-breakers, drunkards; all whoremongers, liars, cheats, extortioners; in a word, all that live in open sin. These are no Protestants; they are no Christians at all. Give them their own name: they are open heathens. They are the curse of the nation, the bane of society, the shame of mankind, the scum of the earth.
13. A true Protestant believes in God, has a full confidence in His mercy, fears Him with a filial fear, and loves Him with all his soul. He worships God in spirit and in truth, in everything gives Him thanks; calls upon Him with his heart as well as his lips at all times and in all places; honors His Holy name and His Word, and serves Him truly all the days of his life.
Now, do not you yourself approve of this? Is there any one point you can condemn? Do not you practice as well as approve of it? Can you ever be happy, if you do not? Can you ever expect true peace in this or glory in the world to come, if you do not believe in God through Christ? if you do not thus fear and love God? My dear friend, consider, I am not persuading you to leave or change your religion, but to follow after that fear and love of God without which all religion is vain. I say not a word to you about your opinions or outward manner of worship. But I say, all worship is an abomination to the Lord, unless you worship Him in spirit and in truth, with your heart as wall as your lips, with your spirit and with your understanding also. Be your form of worship what it will, but in everything give Him thanks, else it is all but lost labor. Use whatever outward observances you please; but put your whole trust in Him, but honor His holy name and His Word, and serve Him truly all the days of your life.
14. Again: a true Protestant loves his neighbor -- that is, every man, friend or enemy, good or bad--as himself, as he loves his own soul, as Christ loved us. And as Christ laid down His life for us, so is he ready to lay down his life for his brethren. He shows this love by doing to all men in all points as he would they should do unto him. He loves, honors and obeys his father and mother, and helps them to the uttermost of his power. He honors and obeys the King and all that are put in authority under him. He cheerfully submits to all his governors, teachers spiritual pastors, and masters. He behaves lowly and reverently to all his betters. He hurts nobody by word or deed. He is true and just in all his dealings. He bears no malice or hatred in his heart. He abstains from all evil-speaking lying and slandering; neither is guile found in his mouth. Knowing his body to be the temple of the Holy Ghost he keeps it in sobriety, temperance, and chastity. He does not desire other men's goods; but is content with that he hath, labors to get his own living, and to do the whole will of God in that state of life unto which it has pleased God to call him.
15. Have you anything to reprove in this? Are you not herein even as he? If not (tell the truth), are you not con­demned both by God and your own conscience? Can you fall short of any one point hereof without falling short of being a Christian?
Come, my brother and let us reason together. Are you right, if you only love your friend and hate your enemy? Do not even the heathens and publicans so? You are called to love your enemy to bless them that curse you, and to pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you. But are you not disobedient to the heavenly calling? Does your tender love to all men--not only the good, but also the evil and unthankful--approve you the child of your Father which is in heaven? Otherwise, whatever you believe and whatever you practice, you are of your father the devil. Are you ready to lay down your fife for your brethren? and do you do unto ail as you would they should do unto you? If not, do not deceive your own soul: you are but an heathen still. Do you love, honor and obey your father and mother and help them to the utmost of your power? Do you honor and obey all in authority? all your governors, spiritual pastors, and masters? Do you behave lowly and reverently to all your betters? Do you hurt nobody by word or deed? Are you true and just in all your dealings? Do you take care to pay whatever you owe? Do you feel no malice, or envy, or revenge, no hatred or bitterness to any man? If you do, it is plain you are not of God; for all these are the tempers of the devil. Do you speak the truth from your heart to ail men, and that in tenderness and love? Are you an ‘Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile'? Do you keep your body in sobriety, temperance, and chastity, as knowing it is the temple of the Holy Ghost and that, ff any man defile the temple of God, him will God destroy? Have you learned, in every state wherein you are, therewith to be content? Do you labor to get your own living abhorring idleness as you abhor hell-fire ? The devil tempts other men; but an idle man tempts the devil: an idle man's brain is the devil's shop, where he is continually working mischief. Are you not slothful in business? Whatever your hand finds to do, do you do it with your might? And do you do all as unto the Lord, as a sacrifice unto God, acceptable in Christ Jesus?
The, and this alone is the old religion. This is true, primitive Christianity. Oh, when shall it spread over all the earth? when shall it be found both in us and you? Without waiting for others, let each of us by the grace of God amend one.
16. Are we not thus far agreed? Let us thank God for this, and receive it as a fresh token of His love. But if God still loveth us, we ought also to love one another. We ought, without this endless jangling about opinions, to provoke one another to love and to good works. Let the points wherein we differ stand aside: here are enough wherein we agree enough to be the ground of every Christian temper and of every Christian action.
O brethren, let us not still fall out by the way! I hope to see you in heaven. And if I practice the religion above described, you dare not say I shall go to hell. You cannot think so. None can persuade you to it. Your own conscience tells you the contrary. Then, if we cannot as yet think alike in all things, at least we may love alike. Herein we cannot possibly do amiss. For of one point none can doubt a moment, -- ‘God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.’
17. In the name, then, and in the strength of God, let us resolve first, not to hurt one another; to do nothing unkind or unfriendly to each other, nothing which we would not have done to ourselves. Rather let us endeavor after every instance of a. kind, friendly, and Christian behavior towards each other.
Let us resolve secondly, God being our helper, to speak nothing harsh or unkind of each other. The sure way to avoid this is to say all the good we can both of and to one another; in all our conversation, either with or concerning each other, to use only the language of love to speak with all Softness and tenderness, with the most endearing expression which is consistent with truth and sincerity.
Let us, thirdly, resolve to harbor no unkind thought, no unfriendly temper, towards each other. Let us lay the axe to the root of the tree; let us examine all that rises in our heart, and suffer no disposition there which is contrary to tender affection. Then shall we easily refrain from unkind actions and word~ when the very root of bitterness is cut up.
Let us, fourthly, endeavor to help each other on in what­ever we are agreed leads to the kingdom. So far as we can, let us always rejoice to strengthen each other’s hands in God. Above all, let us each take heed to himself (since each must give an account of himself to God) that he fall not short of the religion of love, that he be not condemned in that he himself approveth. O let you and I (whatever others do) press on to the prize of our high calling! that, being justified by faith, we may have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; that we may rejoice in God through Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the atonement; that the love of God may be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Let us count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord; being ready for Him to suffer the loss of all things, and counting them but dung that we may win Christ.--I am
Your affectionate servant for Christ’s sake.

"Official Correspondence"

http://joenoland.blogspot.com/2007/04/digging-deep.html

I know that those who had to live under it felt it quite burdensome at times, but did it help? Was it a useful tool in keeping chaste (not only physically)?

Has the pendulum swung too far in the opposite direction?

Evelyn

Unexpected News

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0664245528/ref=sib_dp_pt/002-3802703-4889611#reader-link

good stuff

http://www.salvosmedia.com/resources.htm

ISS

http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-search/670AE83D781F6C6B802572B0006F2726?opendocument

the unofficial sacramental position of the editorial board of the Journal of Aggressive Christianity

http://www.armybarmy.com/JAC/article10-40.html

Holy Week was really special for us. We had many activities at the corps to bring people together in anticipation of Resurrection Day. It began on Maundy Thursday with a program called "Judas's Choice." It was geared toward young people but it was really a night for all ages and a relaxed time together. We began with a game where everyone had to crowd into a circle.

Andrus told the story of how Judas chose to betray Jesus.

People then had to sit in the "Choice Chair" to think about situations where we haveto make a important choices. Here is Sirje, who--of course--made good choices.

Peter had fun coloring!

We finished with crafts and a snack. Here is Andrus, our translator and right-hand man, helping the young people.

Even the pensioners who came were willing to make the craft.

On Good Friday, we had three hours at the cross, something that has never been done here before. Our corps cadets lead the meeting, each taking a 25 minute segment, and did a great job! The young people who were there are (l to r): Vesse, Appo (in front), Eero, Priit, Anneli, Tanel, Evelin and Chris.

The group with the corps officers.

On Saturday, the International Staff Songsters began their visit to Estonia. Their first stop was to do an open air in Tartu's Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square).

Because it was "Quiet Saturday," a day when there are traditionally not many activities, there were not a lot of people in the square. But it still looked impressive to have the songsters singing by the fountain in front of the Raekoda (town hall).

The sun even came out for a short time, which warmed us all as they sang.

Peter found his own way to entertain himself during the open air.

From Tartu we went on to the southern city of Võru, where we did an open air meeting in front of a casino.

Some of the Kopli young people did a dance as part of the open air. They are (l to r): Anneli, Chris, Rebeka, Elis and Elizabeth.

The Kopli Band also played for the open air.

The young people from Narva also did a dance. It was actually snowing for part of the open air (can you see the snow on the brim of the Salvationists hat?), so we really felt for the girls in their short sleve shirts!

We went on to the Võru Cultural Center where the International Staff Songsters performed to celebrate the first anniversary of the corps there.

The front row of the concert was filled with attentive young people from Kopli: (l to r) Anneli, Rebeka, Kerli, Ellis and Ragne, and in the back row Priit. All together, we had over 50 from Tallinn come for the celebration.

Our Kopli Corps band played several numbers.

The ISS listens as our band performs.

We began Easter Sunday with a sunrise service at 8:00 (okay, so it wasn't really sunrise). Here we are setting up before the meeting. We met near the cross in front of the Paks Magareeta (fat Margaret) tower on the border of Old Town, which was a beautiful setting.

Svetlana reading scripture during the program. We were happy that 30 people came for the service.

A view from the cross. It was so cold that we had snow during some of the service! When it was over, we headed back to the corps for tea, porridge and fellowship.

We were joined by the International Staff Songsters for our Easter Sunday worship service. They crowded onto our platform, with their pianist, drummer and bassist on one side and our corps band on the other.

The ISS performaing a number.

The chapel was full for Easter Sunday. We had 78 people, plus the songsters.

Suur Reede

Arm, kes oled taevast tulnud,
arm, kes jäävat head mul teinud ka,
kes sa minu palveid kuulnud,
kui abi Sult lootsin ma.

Palju tänu Sinu haavul, valurikas armastus!
Kui on viimne elutund mul,
mind saatku Su õnnistus,
mind saatku Su õnnistus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TfAyX8l5-g

new video from Chris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66-H2EjT2lc

this is the second time I've heard this quote this week!

Lex orandi, lex credendi (we pray as we believe)
—based on St. Prosper of Aquitaine (c.390-c.463)

http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/index.html

Today is Maundy Thursday.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/newsletter/2002/mar22.html

What is required of us?

"If I believed that my Lord Jesus Christ required of me that I should take so many pieces of bread and so much wine every day of my life, I should unhesitatingly carry out His commands. There is nothing that I am conscious of that He requires of me to do that I leave undone."
(William Booth)

"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."
(Micah 6:8)

another way to access the Song Book

http://www.isew.org.uk/sabook.html

Of course, I prefer the search feature at www.salvationist.org/songbook.nsf

But I was interested to find it elsewhere!

And it's on Lotus Notes, too!

Evelyn

The Corps Cadets will be singing this on Good Friday

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrie

Kyrie eleison; Christe eleison; Kyrie eleison.
pronounced ['kir.i.e e.'le.i.son 'kris.te e.'le.i.son 'kir.i.e e.'le.i.son]
"Lord have mercy; Christ have mercy; Lord have mercy."


Kyrie eleison; Christe eleison; Kyrie eleison (Κυριε ελεησον; Χριστε ελεησον; Κυριε ελεησον)
Lord have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.

Kopli Youth England Trip

On March 1 young people from the Kopli Corps went to England for four days, so it is about time I put up some pictures! We went to share with corps about the Army's work in Estonia, an also to learn about the Army and it's history. Here is the group on the airport shutle train (l to r): Evelin, Vesse, Eero, Caroliina, Major Derek Tyrrell, Siiri, Anneli, Inge and Chris. Tim was taking the picture and Tanel was sitting with some girls on the other end of the train. There are many more pictures if you click here.

A few hours after getting off the plane, we came to the Croydon Corps. They fed us well, and we did a program for a small group from the corps who are considering partnering with Estonia to support the work.

Friday began with a tour of the UK training college.

In the main college building is a very high tower that gives an amazing view of the surrounding area. This is the campus of the training college.

A view of London from the tower.

While we were at the training college, Major Tyrrell received a call. Someone from Croydon had told Commissioner Helen Clifton that our group was in town, and she wanted us to sing at the IHQ women's world day of prayer service. So we rushed into London were we were a part of the worship with officers from around the world, including the General.

Next, we took a tour of historic sites from the beginning of the Army. The group is outside of the Blind Beggar pub, where it all began.

Just a short walk from the Blind Beggar, the group beside a statue comemorating William Booth's founding of the Army.