Why Are You Here?

It began as an assignment and quickly became a calling.

I'm the multimedia gal at the office. I build websites, manage social media accounts, take photos and film/edit videos. So, visiting The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Newark Ironbound to capture new photos was "all in a day's work" in my mind. I couldn't have anticipated what God had in His mind for me that day.

As I floated through classrooms of students doing homework, almost everyone stopped to flash me a smile. Some shared what they were working on, some wanted to know all about me. Every second that passed opened my heart a little bit more.

It's important and humorous to note that for practically my entire life, I've had an aversion to kids. Didn't want to be around them, didn't want to talk to them and certainly didn't want to have them! So, for God to be softening an area of my heart that had been hardened for years...Well, that's just characteristic of who He is!

I'm not sure exactly what it was about these children (perhaps sensing God's love for them) that made me want to come back again and again. I am now a weekly volunteer at the Club.

Spending time with "my kids" (it didn't take long for me to dub them that) is exciting, exhausting and eye-opening. In some ways, their childhoods mirror mine, and in others, they are painfully different. Many are considered at-risk children for circumstances beyond their control. I feel I have a responsibility to show them what they can control - their actions towards others and carrying hope for the future.

I want these kids to understand that the kingdom of God belongs to them (Mark 10:14), and the Lord of all creation knows them intimately (Psalm 139). I want to guide them in truth and grace. Sometimes, sitting on the steps and playing Uno cards doesn't feel like I'm doing that. But I know that every minute we spend together is blessed. Any time I have with them is an opportunity to encourage the good in their hearts and see the sparks in their eyes that nearly melt my being.

Last week, my future soccer star and Candy Land enthusiast friend, knowing I'm not a full-time counselor like some other Club staff, asked me, "Why are you here?"

"Because I love you," I answered.

I pray she heard my words as if they flowed from Jesus' lips. I pray that we as an Army and I as a follower of Christ show children why they are here. Because He loves them. Endlessly, fiercely and completely.

Written by Elyse Jankowski
Community Relations Associate

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Spirit Search Engine

It seems technology is breaking boundaries on the way we study, interact and research. I would like to point out one of the fascinating boundaries that was broken in the way we search and look for information.

Technology has placed information before us at the click of a button. We have catapulted from libraries to search engines. The purpose of the search engine is to give you the ability to pull information based upon what you are requesting. It helps cut the time of going to the library and reading multiple books to find the information you require. It helps to narrow down the many choices that are available to the specific choice that is needed. It helps to bypass the opinions of others and get you the answers you are looking for.

I am reminded of a Scripture in 1 Corinthians 2:10 - The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

God has given those who chose and will choose to follow the Lord Jesus Christ their personal search engine, which is the Holy Spirit. God has given us the equipment to be successful in life, through life, and also to save a life. We can use our search engine (Holy Spirit) for things we need and the things God needs us to do. We can save time, tempers and trails.

If we inquire of God for the answer before we make the decision, we also can be saved from situations, 
circumstances and conditions. The Scripture also tells us in James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given him.

Did you hear what God just said? In our asking, He will auto correct anything that may have been done prior to your asking. God says you have not because you ask not. God desires that love relationship with His creation, and He will not allow anything to get in between. I know I am talking with someone who needs direction, answers and solutions.

Have you visited God's Facebook? In it and on it, we find the pathway to salvation through Jesus Christ. This Facebook page has 66 letters about ordinary people who did extraordinary things. And what you and I can have in common with these men and women is the Holy Spirit. Let's begin to use our search engine, so we can confidently know we received the answer we need. 

Written by Terrell Curry
IT Help Desk Analyst 

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Fear Not

 

I work in a town which has experienced the following:

    -    One shooting every month so far in 2013.
    -    Hurricane Sandy coming through causing widespread damage and economic impact.
    -    One in 16 residents being a victim of violence in 2011.
    -    55 shootings in 2012 with twelve people being killed.
    -    1,700 guns turned in during a recent community 'Gun Buy Back' program.

All of this and more can cause people to be afraid and cautious of one another.

Fear brought on by differences - economics, race, and culture.

Fear brought on by an uncertain future.

Fear brought on by a lack of hope.

Fear caused by little to no return on significant investments.

Fear caused by lack of trust in leadership to carry out promises made.

So, what is our response to fear?

    -    Well, we could act like a turtle, and cover our head and hide.

    -    We could run away and find another place to go.
    -    We could throw our hands up in despair and be fatalistic about our outcome.
    -    Or we could turn to One who is greater than the source of our fear.

There is a story in the Scriptures about a group of men in a boat sailing across a sea.  While they were sailing, a furious storm came up and threatened to swamp the boat.  These experienced seamen panicked and looked toward their leader, Jesus.  Well, before they could speak to him, they had to wake him up.  He had been asleep...in a storm.  How could he do that?  How could he be snoozing when others were screaming?  How could he be dreaming when others were bailing?  How could he be at peace when others were in the grip of fear?  It was because he knew the One who controlled the storm.

When we find One bigger than the gangs, our fear is replaced with calm.

When we find One more competent than our leaders, our hope rises and fear leaves.

When we find the One in control of the fearful circumstances then we can rest, even while those circumstances are swirling around us.

Is there One like this?  Yes.  The Scriptures say, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?"

Over and over, we are instructed to fear not.  Why? 

Because God is with us. He will never leave us alone.  God is watching us.  God is stronger than any enemy of this world.  We need to trust in Him.  This is not easy.  We tend to believe what we see - the violence, the apparent victory of evil over good, and so on.  But, we only see a small portion of the entire picture.  Let us trust God, who sees the beginning and the end.  And when we are tempted to be paralyzed by fear, let us trust.  It is worth it.

Written by Major Cheriann Stoops

Asbury Park Corps Officer 

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Celebrating National Salvation Army Week

This year's 60th annual National Salvation Army Week celebrates volunteers and donors who have made The Salvation Army one of the world's largest and most trusted charities.

Each year, we use this week to say thank you to the three million volunteers who give of their time and talents to The Salvation Army and enable critical services to communities, families and individuals in need. If you can believe it, that's 8,000 volunteers "Doing the Most Good" for their neighbors each day!

"Not only is National Salvation Army Week a time of thanks, it's also a time for new volunteers and donors to join our important mission," said Judith Anderson, Volunteer Resources Manager. "In addition, this time of year is typically when giving decreases but the need for Salvation Army services increases. Any extra help we can get right now will have a big impact."

Join the army behind the Army for Clean Up Day at Camp Tecumseh! Email njvolunteers@use.salvationarmy.org ASAP if interested/available! Click flyer to enlarge:

For more information on volunteering with The Salvation Army New Jersey Division, visit salvationarmynj.org/volunteer

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Moving Forward

There comes a time in life when you realize it's time to move on. In some cases, we choose to move on, and in others we are pushed into that direction.

          

A few months ago, I wrote about my fear of what comes next in my life. Well, I'm still not sure about that, however, the time for me to move on has come. I will finish college this month, and I will be saying goodbye to a lot of things that have helped me grow over the past four years: professors, friends and the occasional all-night study sessions (I probably won't miss that last one as much).

With this stage of my life coming to a close, a new world awaits me.

This reminds me of the story of Moses. In chapter 14 of Exodus, God had already given Israel freedom from the Egyptians; they are heading for the promised land after leaving Egypt. Suddenly, in their escape, they come to the Red Sea.

I cannot even begin to imagine how Moses must have felt. Here he was leading the Israelites on their escape out of Egypt, the Egyptians are chasing them, and they have come to a point where they are at a dead end.

The Red Sea is in front of them.

The Egyptians are behind them.

They can't go left or right.

They can't go back.

So, Moses began to cry out to the Lord.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward."

There was only one direction for them to go...forward!

There was no clear way for them to go forward. There were no boats, and there were no bridges. Swimming was out of the question. Still, God said: "Go forward."

Like the faithful man of God Moses was, he listened to God, they went forward...and God did something He had never done before...He parted the Red Sea! Israel escaped on dry land.

The unexpected happened when they began to move forward.

I think sometimes in life, we fret about moving forward because we are scared of the unknown, and we doubt ourselves. We can't see what lies ahead, so we agonize about moving forward.

The future for Moses and the Israelites was beyond the Red Sea. It wasn't behind them where enemy was. It wasn't directly in front of them where the obstacle was. Their destiny was beyond the obstacle, and beyond we must go. We cannot move forward if we keep looking back at what is chasing us.

We have a clear example in the Old Testament of what can happen when you look back. Genesis 19:26 tells us when Lot's wife looked back, she became a pillar of salt.

My point is that sometimes when we look back, we become paralyzed, yet God has so much more in store for us. 

Let us move beyond ourselves into what God has for us.  Keep moving forward!

Written by Stephany Suarez
Senior Soldier
The Salvation Army Kearny Corps

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