Tallinna Kopli Korpus

our new blog

2009-07-08T16:34:00.001+03:00

http://HAPBA.blogspot.com/

our new address

2009-07-03T15:40:00.001+03:00

Joala 9-35
Narva 20103
Estonia
[372] 359-5704

Happy Fathers' Day

2009-06-21T08:49:00.001+03:00

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/thought-and-questions-for-parents-on-fathers-day

the ministry of the SA

2009-06-19T16:54:00.000+03:00

"It was through the ministry of the Salvation Army that she became a Christian. This led to her being involved with a Bible study group"
http://www.elisabethelliot.org/ramblings061709.html

Crossing the Line by Major Stephen Yoder

2009-06-11T12:37:00.000+03:00

“When I was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer, I indicated in signing my officer covenant that I would be available to serve wherever the Lord and the Army wanted me to be. I didn’t qualify that commitment with any notes of guidance, or exceptions or ‘small print’ to indicate personal preferences, or any special conditions or prerequisites relating to my service. And I meant it, for life.
“I don’t want to alter that commitment. But sometimes I’m scared about crossing the line between offering myself willingly and offering myself with strings attached. I don’t want to have provisions in my life; I don’t want to limit the Lord’s ability to use me anywhere at any time. I don’t want to limit the opportunities that simply come with Salvation Army officership. I haven’t yet and I sure don’t want to….
“I worry about having self-serving expectations of the Army….
“Wherever? Yes, because my commitment is first and foremost to the Lord, who alone is infallible....”

What is The Salvation Army?

2009-06-09T12:34:00.001+03:00

The Salvation Army has been organized to carry the blood of Christ and the fire of the Holy Ghost into every corner of the world.

The Salvation Army is recruited from among the multitudes who are without God and without hope in the world, devoting their leisure time to all sorts of laborious efforts for the salvation of others from unbelief, drunkenness, vice and crime.

The Salvation Army is an army for the purpose of carrying Salvation through the land.

The Salvation Army is a revolutionary movement of covenanted warriors exercising holy passion to win the world for Jesus.

The Salvation Army is Fighting for right and opposing the wrong.

Blood & Fire

Heart to God & Hand to Man

Soup, Soap & Salvation

Saved to Save

The Salvation Army is called by God to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The Salvation Army is a charitable and religious organization to evangelize and to care for the poor and homeless.

The Salvation Army is a Christian charity and church that is internally organised like a military service.

The Salvation Army is an integral part of the Christian Church. Its objects are the advancement of the Christian religion, of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole.

The Salvation Army is a worldwide evangelical Christian church with its own distinctive governance and practice. Its doctrine follows the mainstream of Christian belief and its articles of faith emphasize God’s saving purposes.

The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian denomination and an international charity which has become famous around the world for its work in the social services. The work of the Salvation Army is intended to provide social services to the needy while also practicing Christian evangelism, encouraging people to deepen their bonds with Christ and promoting a life of Christian service among its adherents.

The Salvation Army is doing the most good to the most people in the most need.

The Salvation Army is a Christian body organized on military lines for working among the poor and spreading the Christian faith.

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Save Souls, Grow Saints & Serve Suffering Humanity

The Salvation Army is a Protestant denomination and international non-sectarian Christian organization for evangelical and philanthropic work.

the one I've been waiting for! :-D

2009-06-04T11:55:00.002+03:00

http://armyrenewal.blogspot.com/2009/06/affirmations-10-faith-at-margins.html

preaching advice!

2009-06-03T16:29:00.000+03:00

"I also prepared my talks out loud. I never wrote things out in full. I used outlines and I prepared them out loud. I took notes from my study but I think the whole art of communicating out loud is very different from writing. So if you write a sermon it most likely won't be the best spoken sermon as it is a different form of communication."
http://blog.sophianetwork.org.uk/2009/06/interview-with-danielle-strickland.html#more

Pastor Leho Paldre Kolgata Baptistikogudusest!

2009-06-03T16:03:00.000+03:00

http://www.christiantoday.com/articledir/enlarge.htm?artid=23511&imgid=10538

"help find you some church or ministry ... where you’ll be more comfortable"

2009-06-03T10:54:00.005+03:00

"And to my Salvationist brothers and sisters who may be trying to move the Army in directions of liturgy, greater formality, a more “stained glass” setting, communion, more relaxed standards, or a mega-church mentality, may I lovingly set this idea on the table…? Could it be that the Army just might not be right for you? Please understand I’m not criticizing or condemning! I know full well that we aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Truth is we’re really more of an “acquired taste.” I’m simply suggesting that perhaps we work together to help find you some church or ministry – complete with the elements, practices, “look,” and “feel” you’re wanting –where you’ll be more comfortable, and not as frustrated."
quoted in http://www.armybarmy.com/blog.html

I personally would add -- those who have zero interest in the poor, in evangelism (this means that we actually have to spend time with SINNERS!), who only want a nice quiet peaceful place to worship and sing their nice familiar songs, who can't stand to be around someone who is drunk or smells bad or is homeless, who believe in "I sin every day" and refuse to believe in holiness, who after years of soldiership still aren't sure if they're saved, who will not read the Bible or pray or testify, who have plenty of money for their own wordly pursuits but none for Kingdom advancement, who think the 11 doctrines are optional (9 or 10 is good enough!) -- if you feel like it's time for you to start looking for a new church, my only response is OKAY!

More from the original article at http://www.armybarmy.com/JAC/article10-61.html (I highly recommend you read the whole piece):

"the kind of people we intentionally sought out (the marginalized, the cast-off, those who were in some way broken, ignored, despised, or who would fit into no other church system)"

"What I do find highly disturbing ... is the strengthening push – here in the West, anyway – for us to become more of a “middle-class,” suburban church. If some had their way, they would ditch the urban Army model where we intentionally go out searching for and bringing in those who have been written off by other churches. Instead, they would have us settle into well-placed bedroom communities where we could turn our attention on the comfort and care of folks who “look like us.” Tell me…where is it written that we are called to be more concerned about those we’ve already got, than we are those who are still missing and in danger?"

1500 seekers; ~1000 conversions

2009-06-03T10:34:00.001+03:00

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090601/over-30-000-attend-graham-fest-in-estonia/index.html

Johannese 3:17

2009-05-31T10:13:00.000+03:00

Sest Jumal ei ole Oma Poega läkitanud maailma, et Ta maailma üle kohut mõistaks, vaid et maailm Tema läbi õndsaks saaks!

For God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

hat tip -- http://www.armybarmy.com/blog.html

please pray for Tallinn this weekend!

2009-05-29T15:05:00.000+03:00

http://www.lootusefestival.org/

me with my Russian teacher

2009-05-28T08:30:00.000+03:00

"they need to see Jesus in action"

2009-05-25T08:44:00.003+03:00

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/may/30.52.html

In response to this, my friend wrote:
"This was a great article, Evelyn. I agree wholeheartedly in the premise of housing first - then change.
"We so often come to others to help them with an agenda - evangelism. And while we do want others to meet Jesus and love him like we do, we miss the point. They need to see Jesus in action, through us, before they'll hear us. No agenda - just the ministry of compassion. That's when true ministry begins. That's when true change in a person's heart can take place."
Major Kathie Chiu
The Salvation Army
The Caring Place Ministries
Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

All I could say was, "Wow!" We often get asked this question -- why we do what we do -- and I hope I answer half as well as Kathie did! This really sums it all up perfectly.

Evelyn

Kalamaja Päev

2009-05-17T11:32:00.000+03:00

Yesterday was Kalamaja Päev, a festival for the people of the Kalamaja neighborhood where the corps is located.

The corps dance group performed.

The corps band also played.

Lasteklubi Final Party

2009-05-17T11:26:00.000+03:00

The Lasteklubi had their final party on 5 May. There was a good turn out, with lots of singing, games and prizes.

The children wait to go into the chapel to recite a Bible verse and select a prize.

Captain Clark thanks volunteers Svetlana and Maire.

"our door is always open"!!!

2009-05-13T14:48:00.000+03:00

"The Army is old-fashioned but modern at the same time. What you see is what you get. We never say we will only help you if you share our beliefs. Even if the person has got into trouble on their own accord, and keeps getting into trouble, our door is always open."
General Shaw Clifton
http://www.enfieldindependent.co.uk/news/4357211.Salvation_Army_s__Pope__lifts_spirits_during_Enfield_visit/

not for a question mark

2009-05-09T16:07:00.001+03:00

"A young person will not give his or her life for a question mark. A young person will give his or her life for an exclamation point."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124182806355902575.html

SLMC!

2009-05-08T14:23:00.002+03:00

http://www.music.use-salvationarmy.org/slc/index.html

The Salvation Army
Territorial Headquarters - USA East
Office of the Chief Secretary
_______________________________
May 7, 2009
Colonel Arja Laukkanen
Chief Secretary
Finland and Estonia Territory
RE: Erik Leidzen Memorial Scholarship - Vesse Jämsä, Tallinn, Estonia
Dear Colonel Laukkanen:
We are pleased to inform you that Vesse Jamsa of the Tallinn Kopli Corps in Estonia has been awarded the Erik Leidzen Memorial Scholarship to attend Star Lake Musicamp 2009 in the USA Eastern Territory.
This scholarship will cover Vesse's round-trip airfare between Estonia and the United States (Newark, NJ Liberty International Airport) as well as the musicamp attendance fee. You or your representative may feel free to be in touch directly with our Territorial Music Secretary, Bandmaster Ronald Waiksnoris, to work out travel arrangements and other details concerning Vesse's visit.
We are pleased that you have supported Vesse's application and know that he will represent your territory very well at Star Lake Musicamp. Kind regards and may God bless you.
May God bless you.
Sincerely yours,
Steve Hedgren
Colonel
Chief Secretary

FIRE!

2009-05-03T19:38:00.000+03:00

“If you are what you should be, you will set the world on fire”- St. Catherine of Siena

Official Bulletin

2009-05-01T11:26:00.001+03:00

Colonel Dick Krommenhoek
Territorial Commander
Finland & Estonia Territory
___________________________
1 May 2009
TO: Departmental heads of the Finland & Estonia Territory and to the officers serving in Estonia
RE: International Appointment - Major Aino Muikku
Dear colleagues,
This is to inform you that the General has decided to appoint Major Aino Muikku as Chief Secretary of the Denmark Territory, effective 1 August 2009, at which time the Major will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
We congratulate Major Muikku with this new appointment and her promotion and offer her our best wishes.
We pray that the Lord will guide and strengthen the Major through this period of transition and in her appointment in the Denmark Territory.
In due time we will announce the appointment of the new Regional Commander of The Salvation Army in Estonia.
With kind regards and may God bless you.
Dick Krommenhoek
Colonel

"my job"

2009-04-27T13:39:00.000+03:00

"it's the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge and my job to love." -- Billy Graham

hat tip http://armybarmyremix.blogspot.com/

Good Friday meeting

2009-04-18T22:31:00.000+03:00

The Corps Cadets led the Good Friday "Three Hours at the Cross" meeting again this year. They did a great job and were well prepared.

The Corps Cadets led the Good Friday "Three Hours at the Cross" meeting again this year. They did a great job and were well prepared. For more pictures from Good Friday, click here.

new post -- please check it out!

2009-04-18T19:45:00.001+03:00

http://clarkid.blogspot.com/2009/04/leida.html

Pictures from Easter Sunday & Soldier Enrolment

2009-04-12T18:07:00.002+03:00

To see pictures from all that happened this Easter Sunday, click here.

If Christ Has Not Been Raised: The Evidence for the Resurrection

2009-04-11T11:53:00.000+03:00

http://insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5786&Itemid=121&ed=1

Maundy Thursday

2009-04-11T09:39:00.001+03:00

"Maundy Thursday, so called because that night before he was betrayed he gave the command, the mandatum, that we should love one another. Not necessarily with the love of our desire but with a demanding love, even a demeaning love—as in washing the feet of faithless friends who will run away and leave you naked to your enemies." -- Richard John Neuhaus

http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/?p=1286

Surely He has borne our griefs

2009-04-10T08:56:00.001+03:00

Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs (Isaiah 53: 4-6 / Krommenhoek)
http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c1a082e77acf25f2a599

Isaiah 53:4-6 (New King James Version)
4 Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Bank of Happiness

2009-04-08T21:34:00.001+03:00

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article6053885.ece

what the SA tries to do in Narva: spiritual and human renewal, true friendship

2009-04-02T13:51:00.003+03:00

"I would say that this problem of AIDS cannot be overcome with advertising slogans. If the soul is lacking, if [people] do not help one another, the scourge cannot be resolved by distributing condoms; quite the contrary, we risk worsening the problem. The solution can only come through a twofold commitment: firstly, the humanization of sexuality, in other words a spiritual and human renewal bringing a new way of behaving towards one another; and secondly, true friendship, above all with those who are suffering, a readiness - even through personal sacrifice - to be present with those who suffer. And these are the factors that help and bring visible progress.

"Therefore, I would say that our double effort is to renew the human person internally, to give spiritual and human strength to a way of behaving that is just towards our own body and the other person’s body; and this capacity of suffering with those who suffer, to remain present in trying situations.

"I believe that this is the first response [to AIDS] and that this is what the Church does, and thus, she offers a great and important contribution. And we are grateful to those that do this."

-- Pope Benedict XVI

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15403

deportations

2009-03-29T09:25:00.000+03:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090328/ap_on_re_eu/eu_estonia_obit_meri_2

The Soviet Red Army occupied the three Baltic countries in 1940 and began a program of deportations before it was driven out by Nazi Germany in 1941. After recapturing the Baltics in 1944, Soviet authorities resumed their deportations to Siberia.

Between March 25 and 27, 1949, more than 20,000 Estonians were rounded up and shipped to Siberia by train.

Estonia this week staged several commemoration ceremonies to mark the 60th anniversary of the mass deportations.

start!

2009-03-27T14:16:00.000+02:00

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” — St. Francis of Assisi

give up sinning!

2009-03-18T13:31:00.001+02:00

“He who does not give up prayer cannot possibly continue to offend God habitually. Either he will give up prayer, or he will give up sinning.” – St. Alphonsus Liguori

languages and tongues

2009-03-16T13:21:00.000+02:00

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4)

We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues! (Acts 2:11)

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Cor. 13:1)

You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Rev. 5:9)

I looked and there before me was 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. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb." (Rev. 7:9-10)

Opportunities

2009-03-14T19:12:00.002+02:00

“Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.”
(Mark 15:47)
Opportunities
These women could do very little – they couldn’t speak before the Sanhedrin in Jesus’ defense; they couldn’t appeal to Pilate; they couldn’t stand against the crowds; they couldn’t overpower the Roman guards. But they did what they could. They stayed at the cross when the disciples had fled; they followed Jesus’ body to its tomb; and they prepared spices for his body. Because they used the opportunities they had, they were the first to witness the Resurrection. God blessed their devotion and diligence. As believers, we should take advantage of the opportunities we have and do what we can for Christ, instead of worrying about what we cannot do.
p. 966
Student’s Life Application Bible
New Living Translation
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Wheaton, Illinois

I read this from Elizabeth's Bible this week, while we were in Finland for Officers' Councils. I am still so much in shock that after almost 5 years of studying Estonian, we are moving to a Russian-speaking city and corps. It seems so overwhelming! But this was such a good reminder, such a strong encouragement, such a word straight from God, to stop thinking about what I cannot do, and focus on what I can do (as insignificant as that seems!).

Please continue to pray for us, friends, and ask everyone you know to pray!

We are slowing adjusting to the idea of this move, which seemed so crazy at first. We believe that God has good things planned for us as a family and for the Narva Corps (and also the Tallinn Kopli Corps!).

Pray that we will do what we can, and use the opportunities we do have, instead of worrying about what we cannot do.

It seems simple, but it's really what we need right now. And peace. :-D

Thanks for praying,
Evelyn

"Who gave man his mouth? ... Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

2009-03-05T14:58:00.001+02:00

read this: http://www.xanga.com/lifeisjoy/694642104/stretching-out-for-home/

which made me think of this:
EX 4:10 Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
EX 4:11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
EX 4:13 But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."
EX 4:14 Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.

Estonian-language Lasteaed in Narva

2009-03-05T14:47:00.000+02:00

http://lasteaiad.narvakultuur.ee/punamutsike/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=50

http://www.narva.ee/ee/linnakodanikule/haridus/koolieelsed_lasteasutused/page:890

http://ohtuleht.mobi/index.aspx?id=317246

"he gives to those who ask his grace for every task"

2009-03-04T21:43:00.003+02:00

Today was a long, tiring day:
pastors' prayer meeting (got anointed with oil and prayed over, so can't complain!)
first day of candiate starting practicum at the corps
Peter's 5th birthday
pensioners' club
2-hour Russian class
band practice

So in band practice, we were playing over some wordless tunes (wordless in the sense that they haven't been translated into Estonian) to choose something for Offertory this week. I could hardly believe it when I heard these words going through my mind:
"he gives to those who ask His [strength] for every task"

Hallelujah! God can even speak to us in band practice! :-)

The tune was "His love remains the same" SATB 668, by the way.

Here are the full words to the song:

Don't assume that God's dismissed you from his mind,
Don't assume that God's forgotten to be kind;
For no matter what you do, his love still follows you;
Don't think that you have left him far behind.

For his love remains the same,
He knows you by your name,
Don't think because you failed him he despairs;
For he gives to those who ask
His grace for every task,
God plans for you in love for he still cares.

Don't assume that God will plan for you no more,
Don't assume that there's no future to explore;
For your life he'll re-design, the pattern be divine;
Don't think that your repentance he'll ignore.

Don't assume you cannot give what he'll demand,
Don't assume that God condemns you out of hand;
For he gives to those who ask his grace for every task;
Don't think that God will fail to understand.

John Gowans

Amazing, huh?

Evelyn

õppime ülikoolis!

2009-03-03T13:24:00.003+02:00

Chris is in his second semester at Houghton College.

Today I registered for my beginner Russian class at Tallinn University.

Now we have two "college students" in the family!

love and pray

2009-03-02T21:38:00.000+02:00

You have heard that it was said,
‘You shall love your neighbor
and hate your enemy.’ But I say
to you, Love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute
you, so that you may be sons
of your Father who is in heaven;
for he makes his sun rise
on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the just and
on the unjust. — Matthew 5:43-48

Estonians, love the Russians! Russians, love the Estonians!

do not be anxious

2009-03-02T21:34:00.002+02:00

Therefore do not be anxious,
saying, ‘What shall we eat?’
or ‘What shall we drink?’ or
‘What shall we wear?’ For the
Gentiles seek all these things;
and your heavenly Father
knows that you need them
all. But seek first his kingdom
and his righteousness,
and all these things shall be
yours as well. — Matthew 6:25-34

Do not be anxious! "How shall we learn Russian after having studied Estonian for four and a half years?" Your heavenly Father knows!

on we march with the Blood & the Fire, to the ends of the earth we will go

2009-02-27T11:51:00.002+02:00

OFFICIAL BULLETIN
Helsinki 26.02. 2009

Officer moves in Estonia
This information is not to be released before 12.00 on Friday 27 February

Appointed 08 July 2009

Captains Timothy and Evelyn Clark
Corps officers in Narva Corps

Captain Daniel Henderson
Assistant to the Regional Commander

Captain Anna Henderson
Corps Officer, Tallinn Kopli Corps, retaining her responsibilities as Regional Training, Youth and Candidate Officer.

I am sure we all will support these moves and officers concerned in our prayers.

Regards and every blessing.

On behalf of the Territorial Commander

Arja Laukkanen
Chief Secretary

SASB #362

2009-02-26T18:03:00.000+02:00

1.
No home on earth have I,
No nation owns my soul,
My dwelling place is the Most High,
I'm under his control.
O'er all the earth alike,
My Father's grand domain,
Each land and sea with him alike
O'er all he yet shall reign.

2.
No place on earth I own,
No field, no house be mine;
Myself, my all I still disown,
My God, let all be thine.
Into thy gracious hands
My life is ever placed;
To die fulfilling thy commands,
I march with bounding haste.

3.
With thee, my God, is home;
With thee is endless joy;
With thee in ceaseless rest I roam;
With thee, can death destroy?
With thee, the east, the west,
The north, the south are one;
The battle's front I love the best,
And yet: thy will be done.

George Scott Railton (1849-1913)

... leiba anna meile ...

2009-02-20T11:32:00.001+02:00

Please see Tim's post on our other blog:
http://clarkid.blogspot.com/2009/02/our-daily-bread.html

training and empowering nationals

2009-02-17T10:18:00.002+02:00

I just read this in a missionary's prayer letter:
"Need to refocus? – I met with a friend recently. He said most of us westerners have seen little fruit through our personal efforts compared to nationals. He has seen that it’s more productive to focus our efforts on training and empowering nationals. Ask that He would direct us westerners in how to be wise stewards of our lives here."

That about sums it up for us, as well. We want to be wise stewards!

Please pray for the following Estonians, that their personal efforts would see much fruit -- and pray for us as we focus our efforts on training and empowering them.
Aappo
Anneli
Eero
Evelin
Inge
Keit
Kristi
Maire
Priit
Tanel
Teele
Vesse

Thank you!

Lead, Kindly Light

2009-02-02T19:14:00.001+02:00

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet;
I do not ask to see
The distant scene: one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou
Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead thou me on!
I loved the garish day and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.

So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone;
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

John Henry Newman (1801-90)

"on the feast of Stephen"

2008-12-26T11:32:00.001+02:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4MWOpEXe5w

it's Christmas Eve!

2008-12-24T15:47:00.000+02:00

http://www.live365.com/stations/robfens

Classic choral and organ works, Happy Christmas to all! Music of the Christmas season for all 12 days. Please see http://classicchurchmusic.blogspot.com for more info.

"conscious acts give God so much more glory"

2008-12-24T09:18:00.003+02:00

"We should endeavor to do everything calmly, a little at a time but steadily, in the beginning even somewhat slowly. We should not speak without knowing clearly what we want to say; completing our sentences and avoiding all stock phrases, repetitions, useless expressions, and the like. In a word, we must try to act always like one who knows what he wants, and where he is going."

Dom Augustin Guillerand

O Wisdom

2008-12-17T17:50:00.001+02:00

O Sapientia:
“O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.” (11:2-3), and “Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom.” (28:29).

"The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord." Isaiah 11:2-3

Proverbs 1:20; 8; 9 and 1 Corinthians 1:30

"new age" is really actually quite old! and unfortunately, alive and well in Estonia

2008-12-16T16:13:00.001+02:00

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/12/09/europe/estonia.php

homeless

2008-12-15T16:20:00.001+02:00

http://www.rzim.org/GlobalElements/GFV/tabid/449/ArticleID/10169/CBModuleId/1133/Default.aspx

Grace

2008-12-14T14:52:00.001+02:00

http://chrischronicles.blogspot.com/2008/12/grace.html

Some definite grace as unmerited favor -- or
God's
Riches
At
Christ's
Expense

But I like Chris's definition! :-)

Evelyn

Santa Lucia, of all the saints the star, a martyr's crown you wore ...

2008-12-13T08:13:00.002+02:00

We had Scandinavian officers at my home corps beginning in 1984. Every year, in the middle of the busy Kettles season, they put on a big Luciafest! They went through the phone book, and invited everyone they could find with a Scandinavian name. All the young people and children took part.

Meestepäev Lasteaias

2008-12-12T07:55:00.007+02:00

We had a "free weekend" 21-23 Nov., which enabled us to attend the Men's Day celebration at Peter's nursery school. It was the day of a big blizzard, so it was just amazing that so many families turned out for it!

a Tallinn native

2008-12-05T23:14:00.001+02:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28065706/

Alberta

2008-12-05T19:36:00.003+02:00

Please pray for Alberta, who was here in Estonia this summer.

Her mother just died. The funeral was on Wednesday.

My heart is broken, and my thoughts turn to other mothers -- Aunt Joann ... Mama ... Karl-Gustav's mother ... Riina.

Create a More Meaningful, Less Expensive Christmas

2008-12-05T17:00:00.001+02:00

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07dec03f.cfm

Commissioner Christine MacMillan at Houghton College

2008-12-04T11:18:00.002+02:00

http://www.houghton.edu/spiritual_life/Chapels/2008%20Fall/2008.12.01.Christine%20MacMillan.mp3

DECEMBER 2008
Mon 1
Nehemiah's Restoration - Global Conflict Day Chapel

December 1—Nehemiah's Restoration-Christine Macmillan-Salvation Army

http://www.salvationarmy.org/IHQ/www_ihq_isjc.nsf

Advent music!

2008-12-02T08:15:00.001+02:00

http://www.live365.com/stations/robfens

Classic choral and organ works, featuring music for the Advent season. An Xmas-Free Zone until Christmas Eve! Please see http://classicchurchmusic.blogspot.com for playlist.

Kettles

2008-12-01T17:33:00.001+02:00

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/charity/bellringer.asp

Hat tip -- Lesa Davis on Facebook

About Advent

2008-11-30T10:16:00.001+02:00

http://christianity.about.com/od/christmas/tp/allaboutadvent.htm

Advent!

2008-11-30T08:45:00.001+02:00

http://www.accuradio.com/holidays/

pro-life

2008-11-29T17:14:00.001+02:00

"Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it."
Henry David Thoreau

Peter & Sashenka at Kristi & Michael's wedding in August 2008

2008-11-26T14:47:00.002+02:00

what was read at the pastors' prayer breakfast this morning

2008-11-26T11:55:00.001+02:00

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 1:4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge-- 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
1CO 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
1CO 1:13 Is Christ divided?

SA in Estonia

2008-11-25T14:17:00.002+02:00

I just read this, "In Estonia, the Salvation Army will have been in operation for 14 years next year (1927-1940 and 1995-)" and it really blew me away! We are basically at the point now, where we have been here in Estonia this second time longer than we were the first time!

Hercule Poirot is a Christian!

2008-11-24T14:56:00.001+02:00

"There is nothing in the world so damaged, that it cannot be repaired by the hand of Almighty God." -- Hercule Poirot

winter

2008-11-17T16:00:00.003+02:00

Winter has *finally* come to Estonia! We usually have had our first snowfall by now:

http://tartu.blogspot.com/2004/10/first-snow.html

http://tartu.blogspot.com/2005/10/first-snow.html

http://chrischronicles.blogspot.com/2006/11/snow.html

http://kopli8.blogspot.com/2007/11/thanksgiving.html

We're still waiting for the snow that we keep hearing predicted. But today it was literally freezing -- 0 degrees (that's 32 for you folks in America) -- and so I declare that winter is officially here!

Christopher has been enjoying snow at Houghton College already, and we are getting quite jealous!

Susan says that it's 65 degrees in New Jersey, and that's just wrong. Very weird.

Have I told you lately that I love it here?

Evelyn

international, interactive quiz

2008-11-15T10:40:00.000+02:00

http://www.santamariadelpueblito.org/saintpaul.htm

Advent calendar

2008-11-13T10:42:00.001+02:00

http://www.smmp.com/Advent/Advent.php

hat tip: http://www.ismckenzie.com/

what I mean when I say "natukene"!!!

2008-11-11T14:44:00.001+02:00

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/11/09/115-promising-to-learn-a-new-language/

is this what it looks like at Houghton today?

2008-11-11T11:15:00.000+02:00

today is Fathers' Day in Estonia! Head Isadepäeva!

2008-11-09T13:14:00.000+02:00

http://persecutedchurch.blogspot.com/2007/06/faith-of-our-fathers.html

friendship gives a glimpse of the kind of love that Christ has for us

2008-11-06T10:26:00.005+02:00

“You and I are separated by a great distance, but I appreciate your friendship. And I don’t see you as often as I would like to. I would rather be just sitting here … and just talking to you, but I know, in our friendship, that there’s great love there. And I can make a list of people around the world that, by God’s mercy, I’ve become friends with. But we’re separated in distance. See, there’s that distinction. I know that those friends would be there for me, and I’m there for you, because of our friendship. And that’s an analogy of this love of Christ…. All my best friends are way away; they’re all separated by miles from me…. We’ll be separated by distance, but I know that that friendship is real. And I can be affirmed by that friendship, knowing that even though we’re separated by distance, in reality I’m uplifted by the love of that friendship…. There’s such great value in that. And if you can realize and appreciate that friendship, and what that means and how strong that should be, then you can get a glimpse of the kind of love that Christ has for us.”

Marcus Grodi,
speaking with Dr. Thomas Howard
about Romans 8:35-39,
on the October 29th, 2008,
“Deep in Scripture” radio program

thoughts for Election Day

2008-11-04T22:24:00.001+02:00

Romans 8:35-39

35 What will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will anguish, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril,
or the sword?

36 As it is written: "For your sake we are being slain
all the day; we are looked upon as
sheep to be slaughtered."

37 No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly
through him who loved us.

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor
present things, nor future things, nor powers,

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be
able to separate us from the love of God in
Christ Jesus our Lord.

Tartu, ma igetsen Sind ikka!

2008-11-04T21:45:00.001+02:00

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinations/europe/article5036732.ece

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.

2008-11-03T10:17:00.000+02:00

Mt 5:43-46
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your
enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you
may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his
sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on
the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you,
what recompense will you have?”

Reflection
Who are my enemies? How do I love them?
How do I live up to the definition Jesus provides for living
a Christian lifestyle, a life of Christian love?

Prayer
God of peace,
Give us the courage
to be reconciled with our neighbors, our enemies.
Give us the vision
to truly see what it means to be a Christian
so that peace and justice may rule in our world.
Amen.

science and faith

2008-11-01T08:58:00.002+02:00

Two of the greatest geniuses of our time: Stephen Hawking and Pope Benedict.

Moses said to the people

2008-10-31T22:17:00.000+02:00

Deut 30:15-20
Moses said to the people:
“Today, I have set before you
life and prosperity, death and doom.
If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God,
which I enjoin on you today,
loving him, and walking in his ways,
and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees,
you will live and grow numerous,
and the LORD, your God,
will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy.
If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen,
but are led astray and adore and serve other gods,
I tell you now that you will certainly perish;
you will not have a long life
on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter
and occupy.
I call heaven and earth today to witness against you:
I have set before you life and death,
the blessing and the curse.
Choose life, then,
that you and your descendants may live, by loving the
LORD, your God,
heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.
For that will mean life for you,
a long life for you to live on the land which the LORD
swore he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob.”

Reflection
How do I defend the right to life especially of the unborn
and those near death? How am I tempted to turn away
from the commandments and not support the right to life
of all people? How can I overcome that temptation?

Prayer
God of life,
may we protect and defend the inviolable sanctity of
human life
from the moment of conception until natural death
with strong voices, gentle hands, and loving hearts.
Amen.

Happy Halloween from Estonia!

2008-10-31T15:19:00.000+02:00

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1855112,00.html

The Lord said:

2008-10-30T11:29:00.000+02:00

Is 58:2-3, 6-8
[The Lord said]:
They seek me day after day,
and desire to know my ways,
Like a nation that has done what is just
and not abandoned the law of their God;
They ask me to declare what is due them,
pleased to gain access to God.
“Why do we fast, and you do not see it?
afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?”
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
breaking every yoke;
Sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed.

Reflection
What actions do I perform to please God?
How am I healing the wounds of my community?

Prayer
God of light,
give us the freedom to walk in
the footprints of your Son, Jesus.
Let our light shine out for all to see
by turning to those who call for our help.
Heal our wounds, heal our community.
Amen.

Advent begins one month from today (Sun. 30 Nov.)!

2008-10-30T10:58:00.002+02:00

Here's something to do every day of Advent, and the days of Christmas going as far as New Year's Eve (32 in all). We usually put papers in a bowl and take turns drawing them.

Choose the book we read before bed
Shopping with Mama
Shopping with Daddy
Lunch with Mama
Lunch with Daddy
Family walk after dark
Choose the family game after dinner
Mama’s help making a Christmas gift
Watch “Rudolph”
Watch “Frosty”
Attend the Tree-lighting Ceremony in the Park
Attend "The Nutcracker"
Make gingerbread houses
Decorate the tree
Hang stockings
Take an evening drive and look at Christmas lights
Two hours of play time with your parents
Bake cookies
Open one gift on Christmas Eve
Write letters to Santa
Tape a large sheet of paper to the refrigerator door; draw with crayons or markers
Fill the sink with water; dump plastic cups, measuring spoons, and funnels in the sink
Finger paint with shaving cream on the table top
"Draw" on the carpet with colored yarn
Make no-bake cookies
Nuts to crack or shell
Magazine scavenger hunt: magazines, scissors, and a glue stick. Find a dog, a baby, etc.
Ice-cream cone
Take one child at a time for a special shopping trip; include lunch
Go to the movies
Go out to eat
"Undecorating-the-Tree" party; hot apple cider, leftover Christmas goodies, and popcorn

Enjoying Christmas with your kids

2008-10-30T10:00:00.000+02:00

http://healthyplace.com/Communities/parenting/elaine/holiday.html

Praise the Lord

2008-10-28T15:32:00.000+02:00

Ps 146:1-8
Praise the LORD, my soul;
I shall praise the LORD all my life,
sing praise to my God while I live.
Put no trust in princes,
in mere mortals powerless to save.
When they breathe their last, they return to the earth;
that day all their planning comes to nothing.
Happy those whose help is Jacob’s God,
whose hope is in the LORD, their God,
The maker of heaven and earth,
the seas and all that is in them,
Who keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free;
the LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.

Reflection
Who are the oppressed in your community? How am I
helping them secure justice?
How am I helping to feed and give sight to those most
in need?

Prayer
God of Jacob,
strengthen our hope in the Lord.
Help us to keep the faith
by striving for justice in our land.
Give us hearts, hands, and feet to truly reach out to those
in need.
Amen.

generations

2008-10-27T17:17:00.003+02:00

I've always thought of myself as a 3rd-generation Salvationist, and so I am -- on my grandfather's side. But on my grandmother's side, apparently, I'm a 4th-gen. Sal. Huh. Who'da thunk it?

So does this increase my pedigree somehow? Does it matter?

I did find it cool to watch a video we made of my mother before she died. My sister Mary-Kay interviewed her about family history a little bit. Her mother (AND grandmother!) came to the Army from the Congregational Church -- a bit of church-hopping inspired by a moving prayer a SA officer prayed at an ecumenical tent meeting. Her father came to the SA through the Open-Air, a lost and lonely drunk who had just found out his mother had died and didn't even have money to go home to Canada for the funeral. The Army showed him love and compassion ... and here we are!

Don't underestimate what you do and say today, friends. It could literally impact generations yet unseen!

Evelyn

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.

2008-10-27T14:02:00.000+02:00

Ps 8:2, 4-10
O LORD, our Lord,
how awesome is your name through all the earth!
You have set your majesty above the heavens!
When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and stars that you set in place—
What are humans that you are mindful of them,
mere mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them little less than a god,
crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them rule over the works of your hands,
put all things at their feet:
All sheep and oxen,
even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fish of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord,
how awesome is your name through all the earth!

Reflection
How will I praise God today? How will I show respect for
others, especially my neighbor or those in my community
who are not like me?

Prayer
God of love,
may we grow in our love for you
by respecting the dignity of all people we encounter.
Amen.

Christians face attacks in eastern India

2008-10-26T07:08:00.000+02:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27372854/

Peter learning Estonian

2008-10-25T18:04:00.002+03:00

Peter has been attending Lasteaed in Estonian for two months now. People keep asking how his Estonian is coming, and while he's said a word here and there, we've wondered if he's learning anything at all.

But on Thursday night, when we sat down to eat supper together, he wanted to pray like they do at school!
Issand, leiba õnnista
Ole ikka meiega
Aamen

Thanks be to God!
Evelyn

from Spring 2007 (thanks, Anneli!)

2008-10-24T19:27:00.001+03:00

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

"one of the hardest lots in life as a missionary"

2008-10-23T15:19:00.002+03:00

"And so I find this to be one of the hardest lots in life as a missionary: to bear what is for us a literal ocean of separation from the children God has given us to love and care for, to stay here in his ... location until He directs us differently. Our children have played such a vital role in our ability to make relationships with these ... people. They have been partners with us in God's work here. To release them feels initially like we are cutting off part of ourselves."
http://clarkid.blogspot.com/2008/01/separation.html

Oh, how I wish I could go! http://www.houghton.edu/familyweekend/

free rice

2008-10-21T11:53:00.000+03:00

http://freerice.com/subjects.php?t=401265138345

going to America in January

2008-10-18T16:35:00.001+03:00

Thu, Jan 1, 2009
Tallinn, (TLL) to Newark Liberty International Airport, (EWR)
Depart: 07:00 AM
Arrive: 01:25 PM
Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS) to Newark, NJ (EWR) Northwest Airlines Flight 63

Thu, Jan 29, 2009
Newark Liberty International Airport, (EWR) to Tallinn, (TLL)
Depart: 07:10 PM
Arrive: 05:15 PM Fri, Jan 30, 2009
Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS) to Tallinn, Estonia (TLL)
Air France Flight 8313 operated by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

please pray for this child

2008-10-17T09:18:00.002+03:00

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=248380&version=1&template_id=39&parent_id=21

what I'm reading

2008-10-14T14:16:00.001+03:00

violence against Christians in India

2008-10-13T08:06:00.000+03:00

http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_sa.nsf/vw-news/E1393B7E37EDA75F802574C9003B06DF?opendocument

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/13/world/asia/13india.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Lord, hear our prayer!

SASB #410

2008-10-12T08:20:00.001+03:00

Believe him! Believe him! the holy one is waiting
To perfect within you what grace has begun;
God wills for his people an uttermost salvation;
To sanctify you wholly the Spirit will come.

Surrender! Surrender! Reject the gift no longer,
But say: Blessed Master, thy will shall be done.
I cease from my striving, thy love shall be the conqueror;
To sanctify me wholly, make haste, Lord, and come.

Salvation! Salvation! O tell to all the story,
The thraldom of evil is broken and gone!
My sun and my shield, the Lord gives grace and glory;
He sanctifies me wholly; the Spirit has come.

Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)

important question

2008-10-11T13:13:00.001+03:00

"Are you able to intelligently and effectively use $5,000.00?"

How would you respond?

words of wisdom from Jeff Strain (God's prophet to me today!)

2008-10-10T17:28:00.003+03:00

from http://joymadecomplete.blogspot.com/2008/10/approaching-joy-and-wonderful-feeling.html

"God's joy is not contingent on our circumstances."

"The dad so many of us really need to know is here for us."

"Give it all away if you need to."

"And don't be afraid to tell the truth of you. We cover ourselves and miss the opportunity to suffer and then rejoice corporately with each other. It is the only way to get to the heart of why we hurt so."

"No amount of money will ever compare with having nothing but Jesus."