Saaremaal terve nädal!

what I did on my summer vacation (or, Joy in The Salvation Army!)

http://pilt.delfi.ee/picture/3145973/

http://ajaviide.delfi.ee/news/inimesed/article.php?id=18905107&l=fplink

This was from the Tallinn Day celebration at Lootusemaja ("Hope House" homeless day center) today. Here's the words to the tune we were playing:

Joy! joy! joy! there is joy in The Salvation Army,
Joy! joy! joy! in the Army of the Lord.
Sing to God, sing to God, with loud joyful songs of praise;
Beat the drums, beat the drums, while salvation music plays.
Play the music, play, sing the happy song,
Loud hosannas shout with the happy throng,
To the happy land well march along,And be joyful all the way.

Joy! joy! joy! there is joy in The Salvation Army,
Joy! joy! joy! in the Army of the Lord.
Blood and fire, blood and fire, is the Army soldier's might;
Blood and fire, blood and fire, is our victory in the fight.
'Tis the blood and fire gives the battle cry,
'Tis the blood and fire makes the foe to fly,
'Tis the blood and fire gives the Army joy
And victory all the way.

Joy! joy! joy! there is joy in The Salvation Army,
Joy! joy! joy! in the Army of the Lord.
We will sing, we will sing, till the world is full of joy;
We will shout, we will shout, till glad voices rend the sky.
With a thousand bands and a thousand drums
We will praise the Lord in bright, happy homes,
We will sing and shout till the Master comes,
We will ever praise the Lord.

William James Pearson (1832-92)

SASB #39

We've been singing this song in Estonian for almost four years now, thinking it was "How Great Thou Art" -- since the tune and even the message of the song is the same. But the words are different, and I thought interesting enough to share.

O mighty God! When I thy works consider
Which thou hast formed by thine all-wise command;
And see the care thou to thy works dost render,
That all who live may feed from out thy hand:

In songs of praise my heart bursts forth to sing:
O mighty God! O mighty God!
In songs of praise my heart bursts forth to sing:
O mighty God! O mighty God!

When thunders roll, and when the clouds are threatening,
When lightnings flash across the darkening sky,
When mighty storms are on my head descending,
And calming rainbows span the heavens high:

When summer winds upon my cheeks are breathing,
And flowers are blooming in the sunlight beams;
When over hill and vale the birds are singing,
And branching willows watch by crystal streams:

When all that now is real comes to an ending,
And I my faith and hope can see fulfilled;
When heavenly bells my raptured soul are calling,
To lasting rest, where joys are never stilled:

Carl Boberg (1859-1940),
trs Walter M. Powell (1867-1956)

What Makes a Marriage?

http://www.cuf.org/FaithFacts/details_view.asp?ffID=97

After asking the question, I found one answer here.

marriage

Okay, please bear with me on this one, as I am thinking out loud a bit. I would actually appreciate your help and input if you could offer it!

What does it mean to be married? What is marriage?

In Estonian, it is the beautiful combination of two words -- abielu = abi (help) + elu (life). I like the word for spouse even better -- abikaasa -- abi (abi) + kaasa (I'm not sure how to define this, but it's the word used for "take out" or if you bring someone along with you to something). And to be married is even cooler -- abielus = literally to be "in" a "life" of "help"! You are not married TO someone in Estonian, you are IN a marriage WITH the person; I think that's pretty cool.

But still, what IS marriage? Is it having sex? Is it living together? Is it having children together? Is it having a legal piece of paper from the government? Is it having the blessing of the "church" (whatever your definition of that word might be!)?

The Catholic Church believes that marriage is one of the 7 sacraments, and honestly that view of things makes more sense to me than any of the others.

We often hear that the engagement of Mary and Joseph was a lot more binding than our modern idea of engagement; in fact he would have had to "divorce" her to end it, although they were not "married" yet!

I want to assure you that my marriage with Tim is rock solid, and is not at all the basis for this line of questioning.

I don't know if you can even understand my thinking or not! For example, were slaves who married by jumping over a broom any less married than someone who does something more formal?

Here in Estonia, Salvation Army officers cannot perform marriages. People just register their marriage with the government, then we can have a blessing ceremony for the couple. So is the couple married when that government official grants the paper, or when the "minister" says the prayer?

Thanks for listening, friends! Comments are welcomed and encouraged!

Evelyn

Facebook :-)

http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2008/05/208-christianizing-your-facebook.html

Jesus

http://www.jesusfactorfiction.com/

dating

http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2008/04/115-kissing-dating-goodbye.html

holy holiness

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:3-4)

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. (Colossians 1:21-23)

As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:13-16)

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. (1 Peter 3:3-5)

What kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. (2 Peter 3:11-12)

"Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the ages.
Who will not fear you, O Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed." (Revelation 15:3-4)

long holiday weekend (we're still on furlough, but in Estonia, so feel free to call us!)

Thursday (today)
May Day
Spring Holiday
Ascension Day
office is closed
no Songsters; no Bible Study; no NELK
corps Prayer Room is OPEN!

Friday
corps Prayer Room is OPEN!
no Band practice; no Dance or Drama practice; Youth Night is at Piiblipäevad (take the bus with Andrus to Viimsi Sport Hall)!!!
REEDE16.00- 18.00- saabumine, regimine, majutus
18.00- 19.00- AVAPAUK(ülistus: Risttee bänd) 19.00- 21.00- Piibli õhtu- PP 30!(külas endised PP korraldajad, piibliteemalised viktoriinid ja võistlused, ühine Piibli lugemine jne).21.00- 22.30- kontsert:- Flammo - Ken Marquess & The Monarchists- noortejuhid (kohtumisõhtu)- kohvik22.30- 23.00- Piibli lugemine

Saturday
corps Prayer Room is OPEN!
Clean Up Estonia Day http://www.teeme2008.ee/
LAUPÄEV8.00- 9.00- hommikusöök9.30-11.00- koosolek- Allan Kroll (ülistus: Elu Sõna Ülistusbänd)11.00- 12.30- seminarid #1:- SUHTED SASSIS rahaga - Vaido Palmik- SUHTED SASSIS kaaslastega - Tõnu Lehtsaar- SUHTED SASSIS kogudusega - Toivo Pilli- SUHTED SASSIS Jumalaga - Einike Pilli- SUHTED SASSIS autoriteediga - Gunnar Kotiesen- SUHTED SASSIS perekonnaga - Hannes Hermaküla- SUHTED SASSIS seksiga - XXX church- SUHTED SASSIS videoga - Craig Hamer- noortejuhid (koolitus-õpikoda)12.30- 13.30- lõunasöök13.30- 15.30- väliaktsioon (koristustalgud Viimsi vallas)15.30- 17.00- seminarid #2- noortejuhid (koolitus- õpikoda)17.00- 18.00- õhtusöök18.00- 19.00- vabalava19.00- 21.00- koosolek- Meego Remmel + - eestpalve (hingehoidjad, nõustamine) 21.00- 22.30- kontsert:- Crux- Trepikoja bänd - kohvik- palveteekond22.30- 23.00- Piibli lugemine

Sunday
corps Prayer Room is OPEN!!
10.30 Prayer Meeting
11.00 Andrus in charge of meeting