Consistency

Titus 1:2 
 
This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.

When I listened to Titus 1 today, this verse struck me. The word I kept hearing was consistent. Paul is laying out his introduction to who God is, what he is about, and what it means for us. Even before God created mankind, knowing we would fall, he wanted us to have eternal life. That sentiment has not changed; God is consistent.

When I strive for consistency, my attempts often fall short. Every October, I order a calendar refill for my written calendar, determined I will keep my task list, appointments and other items up to date. Usually, by February, I have totally abandoned it. It is not one of my gifts to stay on task. God sends people along the way to help us; this can be to encourage us in our gifts and what we are consistent with, or it can be to jump in and be consistent where I am not gifted. I am thankful for those people in my life. 

God wants good things for people. All people. He designed it that way. Celebrate where he has gifted you by being consistent with it, and ask Him to make you aware of those areas that need to be pared away. 

Written by Chip Kelly
Territorial Lay Leader
Development Bureau Director

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Promoted to Glory

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human need in His name without discrimination. Its structure is para-military. Its clergy are called officers; its members soldiers. Like many other military organizations, much of its terminology is unique to the organization. An example of this is the term, "Promoted to Glory."

Ranks of officers in The Salvation Army are based on years of service. One begins as a Lieutenant; after five years, an officer is "promoted" to the rank of Captain, and, after fifteen years, to the rank of Major. Increased responsibility in leadership may prompt the organization to raise officers to the leadership ranks of Lt.-Colonel, Colonel, and in some cases, Commissioner. Such a promotion would indicate the highest level in Salvation Army service, as the General, who leads The Salvation Army in 126 countries around the world, is elected by his or her peers

There is still another promotion for Salvation Army people, a "promotion to Glory!" This is the term used when a soldier or officer of The Salvation Army dies. It is based on the promises of Scripture which tell us: "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, and no mind has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him." (I Cor. 2: 9); and the Apostle Paul’s witness which is also true for all followers of Christ: "There is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (II Timothy 4:8).  This final and special promotion is anticipated with joy.

In recent days, our society has been bombarded with the news of the death of two celebrities; Robin Williams and Joan Rivers. Facebook and Twitter have been overwhelmed with tributes to these two well-known Hollywood personalities. Their chosen paths in life has granted them fame and acclaim. Therefore, their deaths have caused such an overwhelming response.

Another death notice crossed my desk at about the same time as the newspapers and televisions were filling our eyes and ears with every detail of the lives of Robin Williams and Joan Rivers. It was the report of a saintly gentleman, a Salvation Army soldier named Edward Gooding. He had lived 93 years and died quietly in his home in Boston, MA, as he had wanted. With grace and dignity he accepted his final promotion, his "promotion to Glory."

In his younger years, Ed Gooding had served as a foreman for the U.S. Navy, working in the Panama Canal Zone. Having accepted Christ as a young man, he migrated to Boston where he displayed great boldness in reaching out to men and women, boys and girls of the Roxbury section of the city with the Christian message.

"People may say that we are overzealous or aggressive," he explained, "but there is a certain responsibility that comes when we have been chosen as an instrument of God."

Gooding’s aggressive evangelism led to his establishment of Boy Scout, Cub Scout, Girl Guard and Sunbeam troops at the local Salvation Army church in Roxbury. He also formed a youth singing group and a brass band

During the turbulent 60's, Gooding and his wife joined the local chapter of the NAACP. They marched in civil rights demonstrations. Despite the prevailing political climate of that era, Gooding continued to connect with those around him. His personal conviction was evident in all his activities.

Again and again he would tell anyone who would listen: "In the final analysis, God is the answer. Only our love for one another will make a difference." Gooding’s gentle persuasion and his faithful witness brought countless Bostonians to new faith in Christ

On August 30, 2014, Edward Gooding was promoted to Glory from his home. There were no newspaper headlines to inform the world of his passing. No television programs were interrupted to tell us of his death. I read no comments on Facebook of Twitter. But I believe there was great rejoicing in Heaven as Edward Gooding marched through Heaven's gates to claim his well-earned reward.

I don't care if I never get the acclaim of Robin Williams or Joan Rivers at my demise. But I pray every day, that God will help me to be as faithful as Edward Gooding in discharging my responsibility of witnessing to the love of God. That's what will live on beyond my passing, and that's what will help me to hear the same greeting that Ed Gooding received at Heaven's gates: "Come, you who are blessed of my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world." (Matthew 25:33).

Written by Gloria Hohn
Asbury Park Corps

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I Am With You Always

For my family, the end of summer has arrived with my sons heading back to school. This year is a bit different as my oldest is a High School Senior, and his new status has caused me to really shift my thinking over the past few weeks. My "little boy" is a young man who will soon be heading into the world to make his way and live out what he believes is God's plan for his life. My role is shifting from provider to advisor. As I look back, I start to wonder "Have I done everything I can to prepare him?",  "Will he be safe?" and "What can I do in the next 10 months to make sure he is ready?"

These questions and many others race through my mind almost daily, and as I contemplate them, I am drawn to a Scripture passage about being sent into the world - Matthew 28:19-20. In the New American Standard Bible, Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

This command was not just to the Disciples in the early 1st Century, but to us, His modern day disciples. When Matthew recorded the Great Commission, he not only gave us Jesus' directions but His promise to help us carry it out as well. This promise is a great comfort to me as I do my best to live out His will in my life, but it is also an example for me to follow with my son. I have let him know that no matter what he does or where he goes, I'll love him and do my best to be with him. Unlike the promise of constant presence we have from Jesus, my support may be through a phone call, email or social media, but it will be there nonetheless. As I reflect on my own transition to adulthood, I see how my father modeled this for me, giving me the freedom to make decisions but always being there for me in the good and bad. I only hope I can do half as well with my boy.

I take comfort in knowing that Jesus is with me and that He will be with my son as well. We live in a fallen world where anything can happen, but we need not fear as Jesus is with us, even to the end of the age. Perhaps it's time for each of us to take a moment and thank Jesus for keeping His promise to be with us, even when we choose not to be with Him.

Written by Richard Pease
Divisional Controller

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Laboring for Christ and the Blessings that Emerge

Every Tuesday at our headquarters office, we have devotions from 11:30am-12:00pm. These very special 30 minutes are spent in prayer, worship and hearing a message from a fellow staff member or officer. I had the pleasure of speaking this morning. Hope this vlog (video blog) blesses you! If you prefer to read the transcript, it's below :)

-Elyse Jankowski, Community Relations Associate

Welcome back, everyone! Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. Though we just celebrated Labor Day, I know I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer, and it feels like the weather isn’t either. So, holding onto that sunny spirit, I’d like to share some of my experiences with The Salvation Army this summer. I know for me, it’s important to be reminded that our work here is good work that extends well beyond this building. Our work is for Jesus, and He is constantly behind the scenes, taking the little that we do as employees and officers and making a grand impact. This may seem like less of a devotion and more like story time, but I’ll bet you can see God’s hand in every account.

This summer, I was blessed to make several trips out to Camp Tecumseh. It’s always so much fun to see the kids just in their element, having a great time, wanting to pose for pictures. Their joy is contagious, and I could tell how much they valued the opportunity to be there. Those smiles are genuine, and we play a part in that.

Most recently, I went to Vets Camp last week. I remembered some of the veterans from last year, and some of them remembered me! They nicknamed me “Slim,” taught me how to play Spades, and we shared countless laughs. But not everything was fun and games. They told me stories of injustice, problems they’ve faced, hardships they’ve endured throughout their lifetimes that no one should. Perhaps it was the desire to finally release that pain which led eight veterans and family members to receive Christ at the altar the morning I was there. I can’t explain what it’s like to watch salvation happen. To witness lives transforming right in front of your eyes. I’ll never get tired of it.

My favorite day at camp this summer was one for the books. When I came back to DHQ the next day, I raved, “Forget being one of the best days as an employee of the Army. That was one of the best days of my life.” Three ladies from our Hurricane Sandy Recovery Group in Hazlet joined other woman at the Senior Lodge for a week of rest. They were three of the most incredible women I’ve ever met. As I interviewed them about how The Salvation Army has assisted them since Sandy, I nearly started to cry. I saw my grandmother in each one of them. She passed away suddenly in June and was a Hurricane Sandy survivor. My mom and I watched her fall into depression after the storm, having lost her home and several prized possessions. As the ladies from our group spoke, their emotions shifted from the heartbreak of the storm to the hope of their futures. They told of how wonderful it was to now have friends who understood them, to have a support system in the Army that they know can be counted on. I became so close to each woman over the course of the day that I decided to stay until nearly 8:00pm, just for fun. We went on the paddleboats, played shuffleboard, which my grandma excelled at, and they treated me like their own granddaughter. I was just as impacted by their beautiful spirits as they’ve been by The Salvation Army.

I also visited Corps and Service Units this summer. Red Bank’s Vacation Bible School was incredible. It was there that I met some fabulous volunteers, one who has volunteered for over 10 years and another for over 20! There must be something about The Salvation Army that keeps em coming back!

Sussex County’s Back to School distribution was great, as was Plainfield’s Christmas in July Bike Giveaway. Each drew families of all different sizes and needs, receiving tangible blessings.

And I could never forget my beloved Orange Corps, where I’ve been volunteering on Tuesday afternoons since January. The Summer Day Camp kids were different from the school year kids that I’ve grown so close to. I wondered if I’d be able to foster special relationships with a new group in a short amount of time. I’d say it was about three weeks before the hug brigade was in full force every time I walked through the door. The kids address the counselors and volunteers as Miss, so to them, I’m Miss Elyse. One day, precious Madison ran towards me in a fanatical greeting, shouting, “Mystery!” instead of Miss Elyse! I did not correct her.

It’s easy for me to get stuck in my own little world, or “the cave,” as I call my and Alex’s office. Sitting at my desk on the computer most days, while I’m doing good work, can leave me feeling a bit detached from whom I’m really doing it for. I value every trip I make to camp, a Corps or an event because I know I’ll come back with a story. One I can tell on our website or social media, one I can hold in my heart. I would encourage us all, whether we make similar trips or not, to remember that the spirit of The Salvation Army is holy. It’s extraordinary. On the day after Labor Day, let’s remember that we don’t have to go to work. We get to go to work for Him.

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