thoughts of a primitive salvo

www.neosalvationarmy.blogspot.com

2006-09-07T23:45:00.001-04:00

My new spot: www.neosalvationarmy.blogspot.com

New Site!!!!!!!!!

2005-12-15T20:11:00.000-05:00

So I've moved to blog along with my fellow warriors and Pastors to www.614firecrest.blogspot.com

SIGNING OFF...FOR NOW.

2005-12-06T09:40:00.000-05:00

I am going be canceling this blog site. We have some significant changes that we are making now....

*614:Firecrest Corps lead by Rob and Heather Dolby
*Firequest Mission Team spending 6 weeks fighting with us
*The War College Charlotte, first session in September (check out www.thewarcollege.com under the admissions page to sign up)

In late December, we will announce a new blog for what is going on in our hearts and mission here in Charlotte. Maybe with more of us, we can be more consistent.

Happy Holidays!

My response to the Sojourners (Jim Wallis) 'Death of Compassionate Conservatism' Article

2005-11-22T10:38:00.000-05:00

Below is my response to this article. Give it a read, it is about 3 paragraphs.

http://go.sojo.net/nd.tcl?r=l1L1aup1GRdV&n=3465022

I, along with Jim Wallis, agree that we have a responsibility to fight social injustice. That is why I love the ministries of www.blackgenocide.org and www.abortionno.org. Both speaking out again the injustice of murdering the unborn.

I am a subscriber to sojourners. I have a couple of Jim Wallis books that I love. They have really stretched me as I come out of the conservative Midwest. Jim Wallis is a great pastor and social leader. The problem is that he is wrong on this particular issue. I think that he does a great injustice to the cause that you and I would fight for by distorting truth. Especially when the point can get across without lying.

When Jim Wallis tells us that 300,000 people are being "kicked out" of the welfare, food stamp, and school lunch program, it just isn't true. You can visit the center for heath and human services website and get the actual facts. The facts are that not a single person that is receiving any of these programs will be removed, in fact room is being made for more people. What has happened is that not enough people need the program. I saw a commercial here in Charlotte advertising food stamps. Currently there is an excess of funds, 54 billion to be exact. What he has done is take 54 billion and divided it by how many people that would help and bam, 300,000. So rather than use the 54 billion unwisely, they cut them from the budget and make room for more environmental or social protections for America and the world. It is actually a worthy thing for them to do that and allow it to go to a different cause if it is not being used rather than just horde it to there own budget.

The welfare programs were never intended for people to be "lifers" on. The idea is that they would improve their lives and move off of it. It is actually a good sign that less people are needing it not a bad one. Jim Wallis knows that so I am not sure why he is distorting that truth.
Once again, I love Jim Wallis. He fights for great things and I agree with him most of the time. Just not when he lies to make his cause. That very well could be the injustice.

What do you think? Am I wrong?

Canadian symposium...

2005-11-21T08:46:00.000-05:00

So I am trying to make sense of what happened @ this symposium in Canada. Checking out the blogs and reading the responses. I find this interesting because I had a conversation with a "high ranking" Salvationist ,who knows better than most Americans what is going on in Canada, and he has "serious" concerns for the Territory. As some in Canada may have for my Territory as well.

It makes me wonder about Herb's (I don't know him) response on salvationist.ca:

"Suppose, as a result of your weekend deliberations, you all agree to recommend that The Salvation Army dissolve itself, cease operations, honourably discharge all its soldiery to find other congregations in which to serve, liquidate all its assets and holdings and donate them to government sponsored and private organizations doing similar social work...what would be the impact next Monday morning on Kingdom-building efforts here and around the world?"

I know what I think. How about you?

Back from the Dead

2005-11-11T11:06:00.000-05:00

Sorry I have been gone speaking in the Central Territory.  Had a great time!  Check out http://asterisklog.com/ for more info.  This blog belongs to Eric Himes.  Look for his new CD project soon also.  Anointed for sure.

I also heard while I was there that they may be using our Credo version of Aggressive Christianity as a class at the CFOT.  Cool, eh?

More about the weekend later.

Jim Bakker and Franklin Graham

2005-11-02T15:38:00.000-05:00

I am currently reading: I Was Wrong by Jim Bakker (founder of PTL and Heritage USA).

I liked this paragraph about a time when Franklin Graham had come to visit him.

That night, long after Franklin was gone, I began to realize what a gutsy
thing he had done by identifying himself with me, a disgraced television evangelist as far as the world was concerned, and a convicted felon.
Of all the people whom I might have expected to allow their names to
be linked with mine, I would never have thought that Franklin would
have risked the Graham name.  He had nothing to gain and everything
to lose by identifying with me, but he did it.  I had been in prison for
over a year now and had not heard a word from many of the people
who were regularly seen on our television programs.  But Franklin
Graham demonstrated risky, genuine Christian love.

Desmond Smith gave us a challenge in response to an earlier blog to demonstrate risky, genuine Christian love.  Sounds like one we should all take up.  I’d like to suggest that as we do that, we not only demonstrate that love for the homeless and homosexual (2 groups a lot of Christians have a hard time loving) but also with those believe that have screwed up in their lives.

P.S.  Jim Bakker was sentenced to 45 years in prision for defrauding the PTL partners.  On July 22, 1996, shortly after Jim Bakker had completed the writing the book I am readying, a federal jury ruled that he was not selling securities by offering lifetime partnerships at Heritage USA.  The jury’s ruling thus affirms what Jim Bakker had contended from the first day he was indicted and throughout the writing of his book.

The Salvation Army Removed from Lotto

2005-11-01T21:52:00.000-05:00

Well, opinions still welcome but “The Salvation Army” endorsement on the Georgia Lotto Tickets is now over. Georgia DHQ or THQ axed it after our blogs. Watch out Matt Drudge.

More on the Georgia Lottery

2005-11-01T15:47:00.000-05:00

Check out the image of the Georgia Lottery Ticket that we spoke of earlier at Kelly Pope's Blog listed below.

Just a fund-raising tool I guess. No Shield...But Clearly The Salvation Army.

You can make your own judgments but here are some questions that we are asking:

Did we have to pay for this?

Did they ask us or did we ask them?

Does this insinuate that we are endorsing the product?

Anybody have a contact at Playboy? Is there a difference?

Has anybody donated because of our number being on a lottery ticket?

Once again, I can be swayed one way or the other on my thoughts. I am pretty opened minded right now but would love to know your thoughts.

See more at http://www.whatspastisprologue.blogspot.com/ She is the one that had to compromise on the covenant to buy the ticket. Hmmm.

BIG STORY COMING...Branding and The Lottery

2005-11-01T10:29:00.000-05:00

BIG STORY COMING SHORTLY…DOING THE MOST GOOD?????????

Through some investigative information and research by Joy Mikles and Kelly Pope along with myself, we have uncovered some interesting info about Doing The Most Good.

I just got off the phone with the Georgia State Lottery Commission who verbally verified that we are placing the “Doing the Most Good” branding on Georgia Lottery Tickets.

Hmmm. Scans of the tickets and more verified info coming soon.

Headlines...

2005-10-31T21:33:00.000-05:00

I was on Google tonight looking for a story. It got me looking at all the Nations Headlines including the words 'Salvation Army.' I inlcuded the story headline just as it was listed. Take a look:

Salvation Army to build $30M center at Mueller

Flung Mung funks it for the Salvation Army

Salvation Army plans Halloween fundraiser

Man's Body Found In Salvation Army Bin

Salvation Army looking for recruits

Salvation Army hopes to build water park

Salvation Army aims to raise $3 million to replace aging ...

Salvation Army Returns

Salvation Army: 'We're not a dumping ground'

My Thoughts about your Thoughts

2005-10-28T18:45:00.000-04:00

Thanks for the responses. I am glad to see that you are concerned as I am for the "image" that the Army is setting forth. I believe this is a conversation that we should be having with each other. One responder left this Railton quote that is fitting:

"I intend carefully to instruct my children that if at any time they see The Salvation Army a wealthy, respectable concern, the majority of whose "soldiers" simply go where they please to attend its' "ministrations," leaving the godless undisturbed to perish; and if they see another set of people, however they may be clothed or despised, who really give up all to go for the lost, then they must not for a moment hesitate to learn the concern their poor old dad helped to make, and go out amongst those who most faithfully carry out what the founder of the Army laid down in his writings and acts. May God preserve them from such a day by keeping the Army free from the love of money and ease."

The Army in its purest and I would say most effective state was able to move freely in the direction of Holy Spirit because as the Founder said, "we have no reputation to protect." That is not true today. This is a reputation protector.

I would add a response to my friend Aaron (I mean that in a sincere way, I consider Aaron a friend and am glad that he is standing and defending the Army in this and in other situations) in a separate email. I would only add and agree with the Cadet that "We are The Salvation Army." That is what they keep telling and teaching us. The problem is that the Army makes us say that, all the while making us add the lines "I do not submit this on behalf of The Salvation Army, Evangeline Booth College, The School for Officer Training, or any other person or entity other than myself, a Salvation Army soldier. This should not be consider by anyone as an official statement it is merely an opinion of one individual."

We (The Salvation Army as we keep saying we are) might need to ask NHQ to add similar disclaimers to the end of their thoughts. This may be the most minor of issues that we have to stand up for. The bigger ones are coming. Just ask the Anglican and Catholic Church.

I will steal this closing from another responder, Kelly Pope. As a soldier of The Salvation Army, I DO submit this opinion representing not only myself but the movement to which I am affiliated anyone reading this should take this as an official opinion of Cory Harrison, soldier of the Salvation Army.

A Country Removing the Word God From its Pledge, An Army Leads the Way.

2005-10-27T08:59:00.000-04:00

It’s happening.  I am sure that you have heard it.  It is US Supreme Court Case Number 2002-1574 the USA v. Michael A. Newdow, etal.  It is a controversial case here in The States.  This is the case that could quite possibly remove the words ‘under God’ from our pledge of allegiance.

Now personally and politically I am not in support of 9 judges making this decision but that is part of governmental system here in the US.  I am also not a fan of The Salvation Army leading the way in support the removal of the words ‘under God’ either but I guess that is the Salvation Army system we have set up here in the US.

The Salvation Army leading the way to remove ‘under God’ from the pledge, you hadn’t heard?  Well…it’s not like we sent our lawyers or lobbyist to Congress or the High Court.  We haven’t offered any type of assistance to Michael A. Newdow.  We haven’t even sent the National Public Relations Officer on TV to show support of the bill.

What we did is lead the way by example.  A more powerful form of speaking, I think you all would agree, than using actually words.  Well, at least St. Francis would agree.

Over the last month we have been releasing the new, name of God removed, pledge of The Salvation Army.  What was so previously biblical and historical ‘Heart to God and Hand to Man’ is now gone.  Well…at least half of it is.  You guessed it the ‘to God’ part.  And the new has come.

Let me introduce you to the “new” national branding of The Salvation Army.  DOING THE MOST GOOD. (I apologize for not using the correct font when typing this.  I did sit through the hour long session on how to use the new brand but don’t have my notes in front of me.)

I can’t remember who said it, but it applies nonetheless, “Good is the enemy of God.”  Isn’t interesting that we removed ‘God’ from the pledge, branding, motto, mission, whatever it is called, and replaced it with ‘good’.  Let me be blunt, it is worse than interesting, it is down right scary to me.

Am I way off here?  Somebody who supports this new branding please defend it to me in a biblical and missional way.

President Bush and Bono

2005-10-20T19:49:00.000-04:00

President Bush the support of the apparent moral compass of Bono. Read below:

Before getting on stage before his fans in a Wednesday night concert, U2 frontman Bono bent President Bush's ear about the world's poor.
The rock star and the president had lunch in the private dining room off the Oval Office, ordering from the menu at the same mess hall where White House staffers get their lunch. Bush, dressed in the classic presidential uniform of suit and red tie, also showed Bono, dressed in his trademark black jeans and sunglasses, around the Oval Office.
Bono told Rolling Stone magazine in an interview before they dined that he had no fear of meeting Bush or any other world leader.
"They should be afraid, because they will be held accountable for what happened on their watch," Bono told the magazine for an article on newsstands Friday. "I'm representing the poorest and the most vulnerable people. On a spiritual level, I have that with me. I'm throwing a punch, and the fist belongs to people who can't be in the room, whose rage, whose anger, whose hurt I represent.
"The moral force is way beyond mine, it's an argument that has much more weight than I have. So I'm not feeling nervous."
Over an hour and 40 minute meeting, Bono and Bush discussed debt relief, AIDS, malaria and world trade, said presidential spokesman Scott McClellan. McClellan said they also talked about the concerts that U2 was preparing to put on at Washington's MCI Center Wednesday and Thursday night.
In the Rolling Stone interview, Bono heaped praise on Bush for providing $15 billion to help fight AIDS in Africa, money that is helping pay for anti-retroviral drugs. He said he was disappointed that Bush and Congress had cut the Millennium Challenge program that gives foreign aid to countries that pursue political, economic and human rights reforms, but he'll keep pushing them to fund the full amount that the president promised.
Bono said he is "capable of having a row" if he doesn't get what he wants. He said he once criticized Bush for not getting the Millennium Challenge money out quick enough and was rebuked for it.
"One senator threw a newspaper at me in a meeting. 'How dare you disrespect the president of the United States!'" Bono told the magazine.
Bono said he doesn't support any president from the left or the right, but he has a hard time criticizing Bush after he has sent the money to Africa. He said he's made it clear that he doesn't support the war in Iraq, but he doesn't campaign against it because his main priority is helping the poor and disadvantaged.

Revolutionary Thoughts

2005-10-18T09:41:00.000-04:00

Just a couple of cool quotes from ‘Jesus Freak’

All true martyrs are revolutionaries but not all revolutionaries are true martyrs.

Jesus came to comfort the afflicted.  He also came to afflict the comfortable.

Christians become true revolutionaries when they realize that there is only one truth worth fighting for, and that truth is the only thing truly able to set people free.  They would rather die that deny that Truth, but even more they are willing to forsake comfort for the privilege of living for that Truth and representing it to their world.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has surnamed himself Truth, no custom.

The Misrepresented Uniform

2005-10-17T10:08:00.000-04:00

Rob Dolby and I had the opportunity to visit what is considered by the media and police as the ‘worst’ neighborhood in the Carolina’s.  We went with the Corps Officer who is in that Command.

Interestingly enough, when Rob (not in uniform) got out of the car with the Commanding Officer (in uniform), it seemed more people were worried about Rob who looked like a drug informant that the Captain who was clearly marked in Army gear.

Who is spreading the idea that he uniform looks like the police?  It doesn’t fly.  Not in this city at least.

Ex-Officers

2005-10-06T14:37:00.000-04:00

An interesting thought from Clericalisation by Major Hill:

“The ex-officer, no matter what was the cause that resulted in his loss to our fighting forces, is still a childe of the Army.  He entered the sacred circle.  He became one of us, sharing our joys and sorrows, losses and crosses.  He received the commission of a divinely appointed authority to proclaim Salvation, build up men and women in their most holy faith, and help to win someone to God.  He received the spirit of Officership, whereby he mingled amongst us, for a season as one of us, and go where he like, and do what he likes, the imprint of the life he lived will remain.  Time will not efface it; sin even will not blot it out.  So that in a sense, which we ought ever to remember, the ex-Officer still belongs to The Salvation Army.”

My friend Rob met some ex-officers this week.  They saw him in uniform and the faces went as white a chalk wondering what he would think about them since they left the Army or felt forced out of the Army for not fitting into “the mold.”

He prayed with them, repented and apologized on behalf of The Salvation Army, and praise the Lord, two ex-officers brought back into the Army community.  Can’t wait to see how they impact the world starting here in the Carolina’s.

Finding Jesus

2005-09-03T15:52:00.000-04:00

I just caught a glimpse of the ALOVE definition for Mission / Evangelism:

Going into the world to find Jesus and point Him out.

I love it. It puts a really knock on what I have heard called the “Field of Dreams Evangelism.” That’s the “If you build it, they will come.”

2/3 of the word “GOD” is “GO!”

About That 13 % Bando

2005-09-02T14:06:00.000-04:00

I have been clean and off the brass for seven years and counting. Of course I did relaps last Christmas but don't we all during Kettle Season?

Primitive Salvo

2005-09-01T09:11:00.000-04:00

Yes! Living up to the name. Wait, how did I score 13% in the Bando section?

Rock the vote @ http://www.quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=68527

You scored as Primitive Salvationist.

Primitive Salvationist
100%
Safe Salvationist
25%
You should join a more tame church
25%
Bando
13%
Trad
0%

My God is like a Drunken Warrior

2005-08-31T08:51:00.000-04:00

Can I tell you a couple of the coolest verses I have read recently?  Here goes:

Psalms 78:65-66: “Then the Lord awoke, as if from a sleep, like a warrior overcome with wine.  And He drove back his adversaries and smote them in their parts behind.”

The King James Version says, “smote them in their hinder parts.”

The basic gist, just in case anybody is wondering, is that the Lord, acting like a drunken warrior, kicked those who came against Him in the ass and sent them on their way.

Sorry so brash, maybe that could be in the word on the street version my friend Rob likes so much.

AP Report on Poverty

2005-08-30T10:58:00.000-04:00

This headline just in from AP:

Poverty Rate Rises to 12.7 Percent in U.S.

That means around 37 million people in America are living on less than $22,030 a year. I definitely am not trying to belittle that but do want to point out that according to the global rich list, there are 5,334,049,159 poor than those 37 million. That is 5.3 billion people are poorer than those living in poverty in America.

37 million Americans are struggling to live on $22,000 a year while 3 billion are struggling to live on $730 a year.

Someone told me a situation where a President of the United States was asked, "If your God is so good, then why are so many people dying of starvation in the world?" The Presidents response was, "Because we haven't learned to share."

Ouch! God, help me to share what I have.

Inner city Prophesy from Rick Joyner

2005-08-30T10:21:00.000-04:00

The inner cities will ultimately become the inner sanctuary of God's tabernacle--the place where His glory and presence dwells. The greatest move of God that has ever been experienced will come out of the inner cities. The suburban church may have the gold, but the inner city church will make them jealous with the glory. Those who are wise will take the gold that they have and use it to build a tabernacle for the Lord that is not made with hands, but with people.

A couple of months ago I was at the Booth-Tucker Institute in Vancouver (you should make every effort to attend) and one of our assignments was to read an article by Geoff Ryan entitled "The Mission." Until reading this article, I have always found myself comfortable with the middle-class, suburban Corps. Our Army is big enough for all, isn't it? I am really beginning to question whether our mission, Corps, ministries should be focused on the poor exclusively. I am not there yet, but I am questioning it? I am also not closed to trying common-purse either, but that is another topic.

More from Chick

2005-08-29T09:36:00.000-04:00

I really need to blog more. I suck at this thing. Does anybody want to consolidate? One really constant and edgy blog? Give it some thought.

So here is another quote from Major Chick Yuill:

"God did not raise up The Salvation Army to be distinct. He raised us up to be effective."

I have been struggling with this one for a while. As I look back over the last couple of years I have been fighting to keep the "distinctions" of the Army when maybe I should be fighting for the effectiveness of the Army. The good thing is, a lot of the things that make us distinct also make us effective. But I have had to question myself and my willingness to move past holding on to the things that are distinct but not effective.

Here are some of things I am struggling over:

Uniform: I have always be a big supporter of the traditional uniform. Is the shield more effective in accomplishing the purpose? I don't know the answer. I am just asking myself the questions. Here is why we wear the uni:

a. it singles out its wearer as a professing Christian. Does having the words THE SALVATION ARMY in bright red do that better then a dark uniform that unless you pay $60 American for the new shirts or where the cap, doesn't say The Salvation Army on it?

b. it is an invitation to the people to avail themselves of the help in spiritual and social matter which a salvation may be expected to render. Same question as before.

c. it helps its wearer to remember to walk worthy of his calling. I could fool some with the uniform by working for the airports or security, but not the shield.

d. it creates an immediate feeling of comradeship with any other wears. OK, that's true. Point for the uniform.

e. it opens the way for the soldier to act as the representative of the Army. OK, another point to the uniform.

I will add more to the other things that I am struggling with later. Hey, maybe I could just tattoo the shield on my arm or somewhere visible and have the best of both worlds. Hmm?

Looking for more power

2005-08-16T09:03:00.000-04:00

Major Chick Yuill said something at TYI that really struck a cord with many people. He said this: "Live your life in such a way that it will leave people no other choice but to believe that there is a God."

I have been wondering since then what that would look like. What would I need to do to live that statement out? A couple of things come to mind.

First, I must have some focus on those who do not believe that there is already a God. OK, that works. Falls right in line with the Founder when he said, "When an officer receives an appointment from headquarters, it is not contemplated that he shall deal merely with those who are already enrolled in our ranks, or with those who may be induced to come inside them; but it is intended that he shall be an apostle of the gospel to all those who live around."

Next, my walk must look out of the ordinary. It can't just blend in (like it does now). Can I go as far as to say that it might even look strange and even foolish? Wasn't it Joe the Turk who said, "I'm a fool for Jesus. Whose fool are ?" It was Paul who said, "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God." What then did he come with? "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirits power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." And again later on: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power."

That is the big thing I am lacking. Looking for more godly power. Healing power, praying power, miracle power, tongues power, dead raising power.

Let's ask for it, in His name, in faith believing.