Back home in a flash!

Since my last post, we've had more fun here at Sunrise (Drug & Alcohol Rehab), spent a day out on an excursion with clients (to see the Wetlands, tour a fishing lure factory and BBQ at Howard Springs). We've 'shadowed' some different help groups, so now Pete has learnt to deal with his anger and I've learnt to be a better parent (!!). We're getting to know the guys here and they've started to warm up to us, so its set to become an interesting journey! I'm running a short chapel service this Friday and preaching a sermon for Palm Sunday at Palmerston Corps - busy, busy!

The last two Sundays have been way interesting! Week before last was the African service at Darwin Corps, the Spirit was moving in a new and exciting way (some demon butt was kicked!) - I maintain it is a direct result of the three and a bit days of '24/7 prayer' (a roster of constant prayer) the Corps participated in that weekend! God really does bless the ministry of those who commit to prayer in this way... I love to see what happens when God's people get serious about spending time with him. 24/7 all the way! (for college people - stick with prayer even if others fall off the wagon - its worth it!).

We spent five days back in Melbourne for Lisa's wedding last week (courtesy of Tiger Airways $9.95 one-way fare special!!!). It was awesome to be back with family and to see my little sister enjoying the wedding rollercoaster, a huge milestone in a difficult journey (Scott and Lisa having a intercontinental relationship!). Anyway, everything and everyone was gorgeous, especially Lisa and the boys in their kilts! High 5 to Sandy Crowden for her skilful "marrying" abilities! ;o)

Since getting back people have asked us if we miss people back home. Honestly I don't miss people yet (its not worth doing until they're actually 'missing'!), mainly because I know my friends and family will still be there when I return. Another reason is that I know we are meant to be here in Darwin, God has given me a heart for the people here and I know he will use me and Pete in a mighty big way if we are faithful to being where he wants us to be! I guess thats the key - I'm content because I'm able to finally live my calling... and I'm loving it.

Darwin continued - a life of bliss!

One week into our out-placement. I feel so lazy!

We've had a settle-in, spent a day and a half at Sunrise, hung out at Darwin Corps for a Scout Church Parade on Sunday (about 180 ppl!) and since then I've been on Officers' Fellowship in Katherine (for those who don't know, Officers' Fellowship is usually an annual get-together for all the Salvo Officers in a Division/Region -eg. all the Officers in NT - to share a time of networking, learning, support, vision and fun). Well anyway, we've been thoroughly spoilt by our awesome hosts!

It has been a great intro finding out what makes the Salvos up here 'tick' and I'm already finding myself sooooo inspired by each one of these people - I'd happily follow any NT officer in ministry! (actually I wish I had 3 months to spend in EVERY area of the Salvos ministry here!).

In Katherine (3hrs Sth of Darwin) we were blessed to go on a 'cruise' down Katherine Gorge (it wasn't as 'cruisy' as it was 'rapid'!), we had a blast! Interesting was the increase in Aboriginal population, it seemed to be 50/50 Aboriginal and Caucasian (+ others). I found it amazing how much more 'normal' it seemed for people to be sitting around in the grass - whereas even in Darwin you get the feeling their culture is still not fully accepted. I'm really looking forward to finding out more and sharing with different cultures face-to-face. I tell you what, the work some of the officers here do to reach Indigenous people is amazing!

Today Pete & I went to a Crocodile Farm on the way home from Katherine (yes, there are FARMS for crocodiles!!! For meat and for skins). It was very cool and a bit scary - one other Aussie tourist was charged from behind a wire-mesh fence - the fence was pretty mangled, but thankfully still intact! I was amazed at the number of eagles hanging around the farm, it was simply awesome (yes, I got photos, get ready for some nice powerpoint backgrounds for "Eagles Wings"!!).

I caught up with some ArmyBarmy blog-reading today (Capt. Stephen Court - Training Principal @ the College) and the following really caught me:

"Don't hold back your sons and daughters from becoming officers. Unless they are specifically called otherwise, there is nothing better they can do."

I believe it! If you're called to serve God, there is nothing in life that is worth your time more than following what God wants for you. For Pete and I, being officers in the Salvation Army is our calling, a deep desire of our hearts, we know what God wants for us to do - nothing else can satisfy us in life! I thank God so much that we both have parents who have not only allowed us to begin the journey, but so strongly supported, blessed and encouraged us so that we can continue to the end. The people around you can be such a huge blessing in your journey, make sure you keep your 'blessers' close (you'll need them!) and be a blessing to those who aren't ready to support your journey.

If you're not called to do anything else.... becoming an officer might be God's BEST for you! and if its the best... nothing else in life will compare!

Video Blog - Life on the Inside

Jesus & Courage - thats what I want...

Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

You know what? I don't really care what people think of my life... especially my schooling. I've done tons of educational stuff and sometimes good, other times bad.... but when it comes down to it, I want to focus on what really matters in a life lived for Jesus.

For those of you fully committed to God and ready to jump into whatever he asks of you... what is necessary for a future of full-time ministry?

• Is it how professionally and religiously you can execute a prayer?
• Is it your ability to rip apart any verse of the bible in the name of 'exegesis'?
• Is it the skill of digging into the meaning of everything, ignoring how simple it really is?
• Is it to present the Christian 'look' of piousness?
• Is it to remain in control at all costs?
• Is it to climb to the top of the career heap?

No way. Perhaps thats the 'art' or 'science' of ministry, but its not the soul... the core essentials for doing God's work.

Courage and Jesus... thats what's needed.

Peter and John were unschooled.... ordinary....
But they had the essentials for 'success' in ministry: they hung out with Jesus and they had guts.

Disclaimer: education is important - but not the MOST important!

Tagged to Serve...

Just realised I was 'tagged' recently by Andrew Clark, so here I go, tagging away too: Pete Brookshaw, James Thompson, Aaron Stobie, Rachael Collins and Gary Grant. You guys are next... hehe

OK, the rules: grab the book closest to you. Turn to page 161. Print the 5th complete sentence on your blog. Tag 5 others.

My result:
"From the descendents of Zebulun: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families."
from the bible of course! 'TNIV & The Message//Remix: Parallel Bible' by Zondervan.

Interesting that I got a bible verse talking about ENLISTING in the ARMY!!!! Are YOU able to serve? over twenty? (sorry stobes) GET PRAYING!!! We need more workers for the harvest.... don't ignore the calling God has for you.

Frustration is my Friend

Ever had a moment when you've heard someone talking about something that you've been through, but they're not telling it with the passion you feel about it?
That's my life.

I really should stop reading Blogs from other Salvo people, I invariably get fired up by the prophetic voices rising up all over the world, reminding us to chase after Holiness and save souls... Then I read comments under these passionate posts and get all dis-heartened by people who just don't seem to get it. Why???

It seems obvious to me that the Salvation Army has been called to a specific task and that we are an Army for a reason. We are not about pussy-footing around and people don't expect that of us. We radically challenge the status quo, we fight against injustice, against poverty, against oppression, against the evils that see people condemned to a life of hopelessness.... we preach the gospel whether the 'time is favourable or not', we get out into the community to make Jesus a recognisable face in our neighbourhood, we challenge the lost to give up a life of sin and despair to chase after radical holiness, we meet needs in the name of Christ, we work at actively seeing lives transformed by the power of the Cross!
...or do we?

I'd love to say yes.... but I believe there is more for us to experience in the work of reaching this world!
I'm completely unable to say no..... many saints are fighting to the end to see the lost won for Jesus! They're making headway in the Spiritual War... when will 'back-up' arrive? Will reinforcement troops join the fight alongside them? (are you one of them?)

I struggle with these feelings, you see as gung-ho as I am about getting a Spiritual Revolution underway, I can find complacency creeping in. Being a cadet is great, opportunities are around for ministry... but this is not the place God has called me to. I am not called to be a theological student, part-time cleaner, odd-jobs minister..... (although some may be).... I am called to be a no-holds-barred, passionate revolutionary, fighting to see the world won for Jesus.... to see his unending compassion raining down on the oppressed and down-trodden... to shine a light in this dark world... for my heart to break for God's children and each day to humbly walk the path of Jesus.... Full-time ministry won't come for me until after college, but there must be something I can do now... then again... We're stretched in so many different directions, could I handle 'one more' outreach project? (Lord, please make it 'yes'!)

Before I came into college, I was given a vision of a high white tower with eagles nesting in the rafters, babies being nurtured and pushed over the edge to learn how to fly. I saw also, a pegasus, able to walk within hours of birth, but for the pegasus, learning to fly meant running along the ground, stretching its' wings.... Both eventually fly... one in the seclusion of a tower, the other with feet steadily pounding the earth.

My heart longs for the earth, to feeling the dust rising behind me... to mix with the horses, the wild brumbies, and to teach them, that they too can fly.

The frustration for me is constant... want to be in the world - have to be apart... ergh!
The tension of this struggle is such that I am determined to hold onto the fire placed in me by the Holy Spirit, to tightly embrace the burden he has for me to promote a revolution, to learn and grow by the teaching of the Spirit, to feel the passion threaten to burst out of me! (Praise the Lord for Blogging, without it I would burst!). This struggle enables a refining of passion and calling, to be in the world serving in the name of Jesus. It hurts, but it's good. Frustration is my friend.

YOU CAN'T GET 'WHITE-HOT' WITHOUT BEING IN THE FIRE...

SalvoJo - the Story & the Call...

Someone once told me that if you had been part of the YES team (mission), the Youth Internship program or had studied in the training college, you were destined to be an officer. If this is true, it seems there was no choice in the matter - I have attempted all three! (help Lord!).
Let me tell you a story about the journey....
(adapted from my testimony as published in 'College Friends')

Over the past five years I've got myself 'involved' in:

• the Salvo Youth Internship program,
• studying both at The Salvation Army Training College and @ Whitley (Baptist Theological College)
• travelling with the YES team's one-month Sri Lanka mission (2004)

These experiences (and other edge-of-your-seat ministry adventures), have grown in me a passion for Jesus and ministry in his name. Mind you, I haven't always had this passion!

My early years of faith were spent at Preston Salvos, the family (Marshes) then moved to Werribee Salvos, where my love for God grew. In 1999, my faith took a hit when I met now-husband Peter Brookshaw, who was a non-Christian. His interest in my faith led me to begin questioning how much I actually wanted to live my life for God. Praise the Lord! Pete was awesomely saved and we began our journey of ministry... (who said 'flirt&convert' was a bad thing... whoops!)

Together Pete and I have discovered the awesome power of the Holy Spirit (still constantly blown away by the way the Spirit works!) and committed to serving God whatever the cost. Married in 2004, we recently gave up the best jobs in the world (at Werribee Corps as Youth & Children’s Ministers) to follow God. Let me explain...

Last October (2006), I was involved in an event where I acted the part of 'Mrs' Commissioner Nellie Coombs. In the lead-up to this, I prayed and read the word to prepare for God to use me in this role. I read Isaiah 58 the night before the performance and spent half that night crying out to God for the future of our Army (read it and you'll get what I'm talking about!). Playing a commissioner was strangely comfortable, although the costume definitely wasn't! Within a week, I had my 25th birthday and felt a sense in my heart that God's plan for my life was so huge that I hadn't got past dreaming about it! I was 'spending' my life (Isaiah 58:9-12) on waiting for my big future and distinctly felt the Spirit say to me "What are you waiting for?". I knew there was no way I could hold that call off... so I talked to Pete about it, he confirmed it for his own life and we immediately got into the journey(Four months later, I'm here in college!!!).

The heart of the early Salvos influences me in a powerful way... their fiery passion is what I hope to emulate in an explosive ministry to the lost! My heroes of the faith are Catherine Booth, Reinhard Bonnke and my all-time number one– Jesus! I have a strong sense that God is leading this next generation to be part of a spiritual revolution in Australia and the world (see my blog about it). God has been faithful, the journey ahead is both exciting and scary. There are things I can see God has for us to do in future that I don’t think I can cope with…. But God in his faithfulness equips us for every task he calls us for....

...to life as an officer I say, ‘bring it on!’.